Causes of Chronic Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is pain caused by damaged nerves, or nerves that are not functioning as usual. In some cases, the cause of neuropathic pain is not completely understood, though often it can be traced back to disease or to specific types of nerve damage. Neuropathic pain includes pain caused by both central nerves (those in the brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nerves (those that extend out into the body).

Neuropathic Pain Caused by Disease

In some cases, certain diseases and disorders can cause nerve damage. Diabetes, for instance, can damage peripheral nerves. As a result, people with diabetic neuropathy may feel burning, tingling or numbness in their hands and feet. Some other diseases and disorders that can lead to chronic neuropathic pain include:

• Guillain Barre Syndrome
• Postherpetic Neuralgia (Shingles)
• Degenerative Disk Disease
• Cancer
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Kidney Disorders
• Alcoholism
• HIV

Neuropathic Pain Caused by Nerve Damage

Damage to central or peripheral nerves can also lead to chronic neuropathic pain. This damage may be caused by trauma (such as a broken bone), surgery, exposure to certain toxins or severe swelling. Some examples of chronic neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sciatica
• Post-mastectomy pain (PMPS)
• Postoperative hernia repair pain
• Central Pain Syndrome

Other Types of Neuropathic Pain

Unfortunately, some types of neuropathic pain have an unknown origin, or a cause that is not completely understood. In fact, up to 30 percent of chronic neuropathic pain cases fall into this category. Though the cause may not be fully known, the pain is very real. Some examples of this class of chronic neuropathic include:

• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (CRPS)
• Phantom limb pain

_Sources:

_{The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Neuropathic Pain. Accessed 12/28/09. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch209/ch209c.html}

_{National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Peripheral Neuropathy Fact Sheet. Accessed 12/28/09. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm}

_{National Pain Foundation. Neuropathic Pain Causes. Accessed 12/28/09. http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/articles/352/causes}