{"id":7203,"date":"2019-07-05T09:44:07","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T09:44:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=7203"},"modified":"2021-06-12T16:17:26","modified_gmt":"2021-06-12T16:17:26","slug":"20-most-usual-causes-of-nerve-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/20-most-usual-causes-of-nerve-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Most Usual Causes of Nerve Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Of all the different systems within the body, the nervous system may be the most complex. It\u2019s comprised of a vast network of nerves and fibers, which connect to the brain via the spinal cord. The brain can be thought of as a central computer, as it controls all of the functions that the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brain is connected to the spinal cord, which contains a vast network of nerves that extend out to every organ and part of the body, including the limbs, the trunk, the heart, the stomach, etc. Like any part of the body, the nervous system can be affected by various factors, which can result in nerve pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation, damage, illnesses; there are several reasons why nerve pain can occur. It\u2019s important to understand the cause of nerve pain to understand how best to treat it. Here\u2019s a look at eight of the most common causes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Injuries. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From whiplash <\/a>to herniated discs, injuries are one of the most common causes of nerve pain. Every part of the body contains a vast collection of nerves; therefore, when any part of the body is injured, the nerves that surround the affected area can also become injured; for example, in the case of whiplash, they can be hyper-extended, and with a herniated disc, they can become compressed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nerve pain that is associated with injuries can range in severity from mild to severe, and it can be short-lived, subsiding when the injury heals, or chronic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The degree of pain that you will experience depends on the specific type of injury that you have suffered; however, many people have reported that the nerve pain that they have experienced as a result of an injury is debilitating. The treatment for this type of nerve pain depends on the type of injury. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Motor neuron disease.<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common cause of nerve pain is motor neuron disease. This disease describes a collection of conditions that eventually lead to the loss of function of the nerves <\/a>that are located in the spine and connect to the brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The motor neurons are nerve cells that transmit signals to the muscles and are responsible for the way in which the muscles function. Motor neuron disease is a chronic condition, meaning that there is no cure; once you are diagnosed with the disease, you will have it for the rest of your life. This condition can affect people of all ages; however, the majority of people who have this condition are diagnosed when they are 40 or older.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of motor neuron disease. It causes progressive loss of muscle function, and it can be marked by extreme pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Shingles.<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another highly common cause of nerve pain is shingles<\/a>. This viral infection, which is caused by varicella-zoster, the virus that causes chickenpox, is comprised of a rash, and the rash can be exceptionally painful; however, it is not life-threatening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have chickenpox at any point in your life \u2013 even during childhood \u2013 you can develop shingles. Often, it occurs later in life. Shingles usually only affect a single section of the body; the lower back, one leg, or one arm, for example. Symptoms are usually present as a burning or tingling sensation, itching, blisters that are filled with fluid and cover the affected area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pain in the affected site also develops. Other symptoms can include lethargy, fever, light sensitivity, and an intense headache. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, pain is the first symptom. The pain that is associated with shingles can remain long after other symptoms that are associated with the virus subside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Vitamin B12 deficiency.<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The body requires a number of vitamins in order to maintain proper functioning. While all of these vitamins are important, B12 is one of the most crucial, as it plays a key role in red blood cell development, as well as DNA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While B12 is essential, the body does not naturally produce the vitamin; it can only be obtained through diet. If a person is not ingesting enough vitamin B12<\/a>, he or she can develop a deficiency. A deficiency of vitamin B12 can be comprised of a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, listlessness, mental confusion, and increased heart rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A numbing, tingling, painful sensation in the hands and feet is also a key symptom; it is reported to feel like pins and needles.  It also causes mouth pain, which is reported to feel like a burning sensation, which can be associated with ulcers throughout the mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Diabetes mellitus.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common cause of nerve pain is diabetes mellitus or simply diabetes<\/a>. This condition affects the way in which the body uses glucose, or blood sugar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glucose is an essential substance, as it provides energy for the cells of the tissues and muscles throughout the body, including the brain. There are two types of diabetes, and both cause excessive levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood, which can lead to severe health complications, and even death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of both types of diabetes include unquenchable thirst, an increased need to urinate, inexplicable weight loss, increased hunger, listlessness, irritability, increased infections of various parts of the body, and injuries sores that are slow to heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nerve pain is another symptom that is commonly associated with type 1 and types 2 diabetes, and the pain can vary in intensity from mild to severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Cancer.<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cancer is the term that describes a collection of diseases, and it can affect virtually every part of the body, from the bones and blood to the lungs and kidneys<\/a>. In all forms of cancer, the cells in the part of the body that is affected start rapidly dividing, and this cell division does not stop, eventually forming a tumor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cell division can become so rapid that it can extend to surrounding parts of the body where cancer first began. Moreover, cancer can spread to more distant sites through the lymph system or the blood, which can result in cancer in areas that are far away from the site where cancer originated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are multiple symptoms of cancer, and they vary according to the part of the body that is affected. Some symptoms are experienced in all forms of cancer; nerve pain being one of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Autoimmune diseases.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pain is a symptom that is often experienced with autoimmune diseases<\/a>. These diseases impact the immune system, the body\u2019s defense system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, the immune system detects foreign cells, such as infections that are caused by viruses and bacteria, and increases the production of white blood cells, which then attack the foreign cells in order to heal the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, with autoimmune diseases, the body\u2019s immune system is unable to distinguish between its own cells that are supposed to be there and foreign cells. As a result, the immune system views normal, healthy cells as foreign bodies, and attacks them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 80 different types of autoimmune diseases have been identified, and they can affect various parts of the body. Lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diseases of the thyroid are among the most common. Symptoms vary according to the condition; however, nerve pain tends to be common among all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Alcoholism.<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that heavy drinking for prolonged periods of time can have damaging effects on various parts of the body. Brain damage, emotional instability, pancreatitis, kidney disease, and liver damage are just some of the side of the most commonly known side effects of alcoholism<\/a>; however, there\u2019s another way that heavy long-term drinking can affect the body: nerve pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcohol contains high levels of toxins. In a healthy person who drinks only a few alcoholic beverages can successfully filter out these toxins without major concern; however, in people who drink excessively for long periods of time, the systems that filter these toxins (kidneys, liver, etc) cannot successfully do their job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, those toxins that can build up within the body can eventually, they can damage the nerves. That damage can cause nerve pain, which can range in severity from moderate to severe and can be chronic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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