Is it sciatica?

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 04, 2024
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It should be noted that the incidence of sciatic nerve pain is still very high in clinical settings, and there are many causes which can lead to severe pain when it occurs. Common causes of sciatic nerve pain include conditions like sciatic neuritis, which can result in patient discomfort, as well as lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spondylolisthesis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and lumbar tumors. Compression of the spinal nerves can also lead to sciatic nerve pain. Additionally, piriformis syndrome can cause sciatic nerve pain in patients. Determining the specific cause requires a physical examination along with some auxiliary tests to make a clear diagnosis, after which active symptomatic treatment can be completely effective.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Symptoms of neuralgia

Neuralgia comes in many types and is generally quite severe. Patients may experience episodes of intense, short-lasting pain. The common symptoms include: Firstly, a classic type is trigeminal neuralgia, where patients primarily suffer from episodic severe pain in the areas innervated by the trigeminal nerve. This can feel like burning or electric shocks, and is often unbearable. Treatment usually requires antiepileptic drugs. The second major type of neuralgia commonly seen is postherpetic neuralgia, where pain is intense and follows the nerve distribution. Tricyclic antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs can be used for treatment. Additionally, peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes can also lead to neuralgia. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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How is intercostal neuralgia treated?

In our clinical practice, for intercostal neuralgia, we generally have the following treatment methods: The first type is oral medication, specifically non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can alleviate pain. The second type is traditional Chinese medicine, such as drugs that invigorate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, which can also increase local blood circulation to relieve pain. The third method is to use acupuncture, which has comparatively good therapeutic effects on this type of intercostal neuralgia. Generally speaking, most cases of intercostal neuralgia do not last very long. Regardless of which method you choose, you can achieve relatively good results, so the above methods are the most common treatments for intercostal neuralgia. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on specific circumstances.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How is neuralgia treated?

Neuralgia can cause severe pain and significantly impact a patient's life. Treatment for neuralgia primarily focuses on the following aspects: First, treatment should be based on the cause of the pain. For instance, if the patient suffers from trigeminal neuralgia, antiepileptic drugs may be prescribed. Surgery may be necessary in some cases. If the neuralgia is caused by a viral infection, active antiviral treatment is required. If tumor cells invade and cause the neuralgia, tumor treatment should be administered. The second type of treatment involves symptomatic management. This mainly includes medications to relieve neuralgia, commonly comprising tricyclic antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs, which can be effective in alleviating the pain and should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Liu Shi Xiang
Neurology
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How to relieve neuralgia

Neuropathic pain can be relieved through treatments such as medication, physical therapy, and surgery. Medications used primarily include antiepileptic drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics, such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, gabapentin, pregabalin, sodium diclofenac, ibuprofen, and celecoxib. Physical therapy mainly involves localized heat application, massage, manipulation, and acupuncture. Surgical treatment is mainly suitable for patients who do not respond well to medication and physical therapy. Currently, the surgical approach mainly involves minimally invasive surgery to relieve nerve compression, thereby alleviating the symptoms of neuropathic pain. Beyond symptomatic treatment, it is important to identify and treat the underlying cause of the neuropathic pain, such as tumors, trauma, diabetes, etc. These causes can lead to neuropathic symptoms, so it is crucial to actively control these underlying diseases to potentially relieve neuropathic pain at its root. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to deal with occipital neuralgia?

Occipital neuralgia is a relatively common type of neuralgia, and the following recommendations are suggested for its management: Firstly, it is important to identify the cause of the occipital neuralgia. There are many potential causes, such as cervical spondylosis, viral infections, or metastasis of tumors, among others. Actively searching for the cause and addressing it effectively, especially if it stems from cervical spine issues, is crucial. Secondly, medication can be used to alleviate symptoms. This typically includes painkillers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the pain is more pronounced, medications used to treat neuralgia, such as antiepileptic drugs, can also be considered. Thirdly, local physical therapy, acupuncture, and, if necessary, local block treatment in the area most affected by occipital neuralgia, can also be effective.