Neuralgia is the term given to pain which has a tendency to pursue the path of a particular nerve. It could simply be referred to as nerve pain or more specifically postherpetic neuralgia. However, since this term is just a general one, different forms of neuralgia will be termed differently. For instance, there is trigeminal neuralgia, where one’s face is affected. To be more specific, it is the chief sensory nerve that is the target of such pain. The term for such neuralgia comes from the fact that it is the trigeminal nerve which is affected and thus the pain is in that nerve. This is the most widespread variety of nerve pain that has been observed. Symptoms and other characteristics of neuralgia would depend on the type or the nerve affected. For instance, in trigeminal neuralgia, you would face pain attacks along the side. This would be the side where the trigeminal nerve is located and the attacks are unexpected, short but quite severe.
Usually, it causes people to naturally grimace with pain since the pain is so sudden and brutal. Such a grimace is commonly known by the term painful tic. It is thought that multiple sclerosis and other disorders like high blood sugar could lead to trigeminal neuralgia. However, even with this facial nerve pain, the causes are not clear in many cases. Such blinding pain could be brought on by regular facial movements like simply talking or possibly touching the sensitive area. The factors behind such pain in any form of neuralgia are quite diverse. For instance, it could be on account of trauma, infections and chemical irritation. The unfortunate part that too little is known about the possible causes in a large number of neuralgia patients. This makes cures for neuralgia quite a difficult task. While you do not have to be elderly to develop nerve pain, it is a lot more widespread amongst that age group.
Treatment of neuralgia would be multifold and targeted at identifying and then either getting rid of or managing the causal factor. Another critical part of neuralgia treatment is pain management and relief. Treatment would also depend on the kind of neuralgia in question. The problem is that neuralgia treatment has no guarantees and the problem with treatment is that sensation loss or abnormality is possible. As far as home treatment for neuralgia goes, it depends on the each case seperately. For instance, postherpetic neuralgia could benefit from physical therapy while heat application might help in others.