what is neuropathic pain?

 

This type of pain is caused by a problem or damage to one or more nerves themselves. The function of the nerve is affected in a way that it sends pain messages to the brain. Neuropathic pain is often described as burning, stabbing, shooting, aching, or like an electric shock.

Chronic neuropathic pain is classified into central neuropathic pain and peripheral neuropathic pain.

In the first group we see pain after strokes, of after spinal cord injury, as well as pain in patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.

In the second group, it can be diffuse pain such as in Diabetic Neuropathy, or local pain, such as in radiculopathy, post-herpetic neuropathy, phantom limb pain or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Neuropathic pain is less likely than nociceptive pain to be helped by traditional painkillers. However, other types of medicines, such as anti-depressants or medication against epilepsy, often work well to ease the pain.