Neuropathic Pain Syndromes

Neuropathic pain is a broad term that encompasses different conditions affecting the body's nervous system. While there is no single way to treat neuropathic pain, some neuropathic pain syndromes offer a better prognosis than others.

Identification

• Neuropathic pain refers to pain felt along the peripheral or central nervous systems that can strike any part of the human body. The common symptom of neuropathic pain is a burning or searing pain that can render a person incapable of moving.
  Neuropathic pain can result from diseases that affect the nervous system such as diabetes. It also can be the result of bodily trauma sustained in an accident, or a side-effect of chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of cancer. Here are some of the most common neuropathic pain syndromes.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

• One type of neuropathic pain is a condition known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, also known as complex regional pain syndrome.
  Complex regional pain syndrome is characterized by a patch of red skin in the area that is affected. It is commonly the result of some sort of traumatic injury, and the pain can sometimes spread to other parts of the limb or area that is affected.

Sciatica

• Sciatica is another neuropathic pain syndrome, occurring when pressure is placed upon the sciatic nerve, a major nerve in the body that runs from the middle back to both legs. Sciatica can be the result of excessive weight or poor posture, but a common cause of the condition is a herniated disc in the spine that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Spinal Stenosis

• Spinal stenosis is a neuropathic pain syndrome that affects the spine. This is a narrowing of the spine that, unchecked, will put pressure on the spinal chord and cause significant pain.
  More moderate cases of spinal stenosis are sometimes treated with prescription or over-the-counter pain medications.
  For more advanced and painful instances of spinal stenosis, surgery might be recommended to reduce pressure on the spinal chord.

Central Pain Syndrome

• One of the more broad reaching neuropathic pain syndromes is central pain syndrome. This condition can be brought about by any damage to the central nervous system due to illness or trauma to the brain and spinal chord.
  Central pain syndrome can be the result of a tumor, Parkinson's disease, stroke or epilepsy.
  The condition is usually treated with a regimen of pain medications and physical therapy. There is no current treatment that can completely relieve the pain associated with central pain syndrome, however.