7 Ways to Identify Nerve Pain (and How to Treat It)

Any form of pain has the potential to be debilitating and nerve pain is one of the most common types.

Pain is meant to serve as a warning, a signal that something is wrong. However, when there is nerve damage, that system doesn’t quite work the way it should. Damaged nerves will send out false signals, creating pain when it’s not necessary.

Even simple movements such as standing or performing basic household chores can become impossible if nerve pain is not treated, but how can you tell whether it’s what you’re dealing with?

Here are the warning signs to look out for so that you know what steps to take next.

7 Most Common Nerve Pain Warning Signs

While nerve pain is most common in patients undergoing chemotherapy as well as those with diabetes, injuries also commonly cause this type of pain.

Nerves are made up of fibers that are covered with delicate tissue. In some instances, just the fibers get damaged, but it’s possible for the tissues to get damaged too.

Here are the most common signs of neuropathy pain and nerve damage.

1. Loss of sensation and numbness. This particular symptom is especially common in the fingers, hands, and feet. If your sense of touch has started to feel like you are wearing gloves, you might have nerve damage.
2. More pain at night. People with nerve damage often experience more pain at night. Even a sheet draped over your body could cause pain if the damage is bad enough.
3. Unawareness of injuries. When the nerves are damaged, you might not be aware that you’ve injured yourself at all. This is because your nerves aren’t firing as they should.
4. Loss of balance. Nerve damage not only causes pain but muscle weakness too. If you are finding that your sense of balance is off and you’ve been falling more often, it may have something to do with your nerves.
5. Heaviness in your arms and legs. Do you feel like your arms, legs, or all of your limbs weigh more? This might not have to do anything with your weight but your nerves.
6. Excessive sweating. Another symptom that tends to crop up when your nerves are misfiring is excessive sweating. This is usually the case when the nerves linked to your sweat glands get damaged.
7. Increase in blood pressure. Again, if the nerves that control basic bodily functions get damaged, you could start struggling with issues such as high blood pressure.

If you feel that you can relate to some or most of these symptoms, it’s time to seek treatment for nerve damage and pain.

How to Treat and Repair Nerve Damage

 The earlier you start treating nerve damage, the better. Don’t wait for the pain to become unbearable before you seek treatment. If you’re experiencing pain nearly every day, that’s already a sign that you need to see a doctor.

The first course of treatment is generally an over-the-counter solution such as Nurenza or Nervex Cream. Products such as this can help relieve the pain you’re feeling. Your doctor might also prescribe medication if necessary.

Alternative treatments such as electric stimulation have also proven effective in treating nerve pain until the nerve has time to heal and regenerate.

If the nerve pain started following an injury, surgery might be required to repair or remove the damaged nerve in severe circumstances.

In closing, there are solutions. You don’t need to get used to the idea of living with nerve pain.