If you’re struggling with chronic nerve pain, you’re not alone. Research shows about one in five Americans struggles with ongoing nerve pain, or neuropathy.
Not all nerve pain is created equal. Different issues can trigger neuropathy, and effective treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis.
The good news is that board-certified physician Daljit S. Buttar, MD, and the team at Raleigh Spine and Pain Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, provide expert diagnosis and treatment for chronic nerve pain.
Take a moment to learn about some of the most common causes of neuropathy and the different treatment modalities we use to ease nerve pain.
Diabetes is one of the most common causes of nerve damage in the United States, and as such, it’s also one of the most common reasons people experience chronic nerve pain. This condition, called peripheral neuropathy or diabetic neuropathy, results from unmanaged blood sugar.
Your peripheral nervous system takes sensory information from all over your body and sends it to your central nervous system and brain. Chronically high blood sugar levels can damage your nerve tissues. This, in turn, can disrupt the signals, which can cause problematic symptoms, such as chronic pain, tingling, extreme sensitivity, and more.
If you sustain an injury or have surgery, trauma to the nerves can lead to chronic nerve pain. This is because peripheral nerves that get pinched, crushed, cut, or compressed can misfire and lead to uncomfortable and painful sensations.
People who play high-contact sports are especially at risk as are people with jobs that involve physical labor, such as construction, warehouse work, and landscaping.
Viral infections can damage your nerves by triggering inflammation and affecting your body’s immune system. Some viruses commonly associated with nerve pain can be prevented with immunizations, such as measles, meningitis, chickenpox, shingles, and polio.
Other viruses, however, can be contracted even after vaccination, though the symptoms may be less intense. They may stay dormant and then flare up and cause intermittent nerve pain. These viruses can include COVID-19 and hepatitis.
One of the most common viruses on the planet is called Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It affects at least 95% of people globally, and it doesn’t have a vaccine. While most people are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms, for some people, the virus is dormant and then returns as a condition that triggers nerve pain, such as chronic Epstein-Barr or multiple sclerosis.
Before beginning treatment for chronic nerve pain, Dr. Buttar first determines the root causes of your pain. In addition to the three common issues reviewed above, many other underlying issues can lead to nerve pain, including tumors, alcoholism, vitamin deficiencies, bad posture, exposure to chemicals or toxins, and some medications.
Dr. Buttar conducts a physical and neurological exam, reviews your symptoms and medical history, and orders additional testing as needed to uncover what’s causing your nerve pain. He then creates a personalized nerve-pain treatment plan, which may include:
Some patients may require surgery to effectively treat nerve pain if conservative therapies don’t provide enough relief.
To learn more about the causes of nerve pain and the ways Dr. Buttar and the team at Raleigh Spine and Pain Center can help you get relief, call 919-867-3176 or book an appointment online today.
