Schedule Now
Get Started
Search
Close this search box.
Long Island Neuro Specialists Logo
Schedule Now
Elderly man suffering nerve damage pain

Understanding and Treating Nerve Pain

Nerve pain or neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain that occurs when nerves in the central nervous system become injured or damaged. 

 

If you or someone you know is experiencing ongoing pain, it could be due to nerve damage. 

 

Long Island Neuroscience Specialists have a team of experienced neurologists dedicated to helping patients manage and alleviate nerve damage pain.

 

What is nerve damage?

The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and a network of nerves that extend throughout the body. These nerves are responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

There are three main types of nerves in the body:
  • Autonomic nerves: Control involuntary or partially voluntary activities of your body such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation.
  • Motor nerves: Control movements and actions by passing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles.
  • Sensory nerves: Relay information from your skin and muscles back to your spinal cord and brain for processing, allowing you to feel pain and other sensations.

Nerve damage, or neuropathy, can occur in any of these types of nerves, and the symptoms you may experience depend on the location and type of nerves affected.

Causes of nerve damage

Nerve damage can be caused by a variety of factors:

  • Diabetes: High levels of blood sugar can injure nerve fibers throughout your body, but diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in your legs and feet.
  • Alcoholism: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to vitamin deficiencies and may directly damage nerves.
  • Chemotherapy: Some chemotherapy drugs can cause nerve damage.
  • Environmental toxins: Exposure to heavy metals, industrial chemicals, or poisons can cause nerve damage.
  • Infections: Certain viral or bacterial infections can cause nerve damage, including HIV, hepatitis C, Lyme disease, and syphilis.
  • Trauma: Accidents, falls, fractures, or dislocations can cause direct nerve damage.

     

Man holding his ankle after a fall in his office

Detailed symptoms of nerve damage pain

When it comes to nerve damage, the type of nerves affected—autonomic, motor, or sensory—can lead to a variety of symptoms that can significantly impair one’s quality of life.

Autonomic Nerve Damage

  • Inability to Sense Chest Pain: With autonomic nerve damage, you might not even feel the warning signs of serious conditions like angina or heart attack, which can be incredibly dangerous.
  • Sweating Imbalance: You might either sweat excessively, known as hyperhidrosis, or not sweat enough, termed as anhidrosis. Both scenarios can be problematic for temperature regulation.
  • Lightheadedness: Autonomic nerves help maintain blood pressure. Damage can cause lightheadedness, especially when standing up too quickly.
  • Dry Eyes and Mouth: This can be more than just uncomfortable; it can affect your ability to chew and swallow food, and may impair vision.
  • Constipation: The digestive system can slow down, leading to constipation and gastrointestinal discomfort.
  • Bladder and Sexual Dysfunction: Autonomic nerve damage can lead to difficulty in bladder control and could also result in sexual performance issues.

Motor Nerve Damage

  • Weakness: You might find it difficult to carry out tasks that require strength, like lifting objects or even standing up from a chair.
  • Muscle Atrophy: Lack of muscle usage can lead to muscle wasting, further weakening the body.
  • Twitching: Also known as fasciculation, you might experience involuntary muscle movements.
  • Paralysis: In severe cases, motor nerve damage can lead to paralysis, significantly affecting mobility and quality of life.

Sensory Nerve Damage

  • Pain: Often described as stabbing, shooting, or burning, this is one of the most debilitating symptoms.
  • Sensitivity: Even light touches can feel excruciating, making daily activities difficult.
  • Numbness: A loss of sensation can lead to issues with mobility and balance.
  • Tingling or Prickling: Often described as “pins and needles,” this can be a constant annoyance.
  • Burning Sensation: Similar to pain but distinct, a burning sensation can keep you awake at night.
  • Problems with Positional Awareness: This can be particularly dangerous as it can lead to falls or serious accidents.

Understanding the range of symptoms is the first step towards managing nerve damage effectively.

Treatment for nerve damage pain

Treatment for nerve damage pain involves addressing the underlying cause of the nerve damage, managing symptoms, and helping you to maintain normal function.

Medications

Several types of medications can be used to treat neuropathic pain:

  • Anticonvulsants: These medications, originally developed to treat epilepsy, may relieve neuropathic pain.
  • Antidepressants: Certain types of antidepressants can be effective for treating neuropathic pain.
  • Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be helpful for mild to moderate pain.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy may be helpful for nerve damage pain and improving mobility. A physical therapist can create a tailored exercise plan that helps strengthen muscles, improve mobility, and reduce pain.

Lifestyle Changes

Making certain lifestyle changes can also help manage neuropathic pain:

Specialized treatments

Long Island Neuroscience Specialists offer specialized treatments for nerve damage pain, including the capsaicin patch and acupuncture.

Capsaicin Patch

Capsaicin is the substance in chili peppers that causes a burning sensation. A high-concentration capsaicin patch can be used to treat certain painful peripheral neuropathies.

The patch is applied to the area of skin where you experience the most pain. Initially, it produces a burning sensation, followed by pain relief. Most patients experience significant pain relief in the target area, which lasts about three months.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body. It has been shown to improve pain by boosting the body’s natural painkillers and improving blood flow.

Young man holding his neck in pain

Why choose Long Island Neuroscience Specialists for your nerve damage pain?

When it comes to treating nerve damage pain, choosing the right medical team makes all the difference. At Long Island Neuroscience Specialists, we don’t just manage symptoms; we aim to provide comprehensive, personalized care that targets the root cause of your condition.

Our team of highly trained neurologists is committed to keeping abreast of the latest advancements in neuroscience. With our state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, we ensure an accurate diagnosis to create a treatment plan that is tailored just for you.

Our commitment to personalized care has led to high patient satisfaction rates, demonstrating the efficacy of our approach in managing nerve damage pain.

We understand that pain can be debilitating, affecting not just your physical well-being, but your emotional health as well. That’s why our primary focus is to help you regain your quality of life, providing a holistic approach to care that goes beyond medications.

Choose Long Island Neuroscience Specialists and take the first decisive step towards effectively managing your nerve damage pain.

In conclusion

Nerve damage pain can significantly affect your quality of life. It is essential to seek specialized care to manage your symptoms effectively. 

 

Long Island Neuroscience Specialists offer comprehensive and personalized care for patients experiencing nerve damage pain.

 

Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

GET IN TOUCH +

Give Us A Call
Let Us Help

Patchogue Office

285 Sills Road

Building 5-6, Suite E

East Patchogue, NY 11772

(631) 475-5511

East Setauket Office

184 N. Belle Mead Road

East Setauket, NY 11733

(631) 675-6226

GET IN TOUCH +

Give Us A Call
Let Us Help

Patchogue Office

285 Sills Road

Building 5-6, Suite E

East Patchogue, NY 11772

(631) 475-5511

Schedule Now
Google Map

East Setauket Office

184 N. Belle Mead Road

East Setauket, NY 11733

(631) 675-6226

Schedule Now
Google Map

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER +

Get Brain and
Spine Health Tips

Long Island Neuroscience Specialist Logo

Our goal is to improve your quality of life by providing excellent treatment in a forward-thinking culture.

Resources

Tell Us About Your Experience

Send us a Google review. Click this link and let us know how we did!

Review Us Here

Review us on Yelp too.

Yelp Logo

© 2022 - 2023 Long Island Neuroscience Specialists. All Rights Reserved

Designed & Developed by Vibe Branding

Vibe Branding Logo

Designed & Developed by Vibe Branding