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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Causes of Neuralgia

Neuralgia is extremely painful, with patients often experiencing severe, unbearable pain. The causes of neuralgia mainly include the following types. The first type to note is viral infection, such as herpes zoster virus infection, which can leave postherpetic neuralgia. In such cases, it is crucial to actively use antivirals and employ neuropathic pain medications for treatment. The second scenario may relate to nerve compression, such as trigeminal neuralgia, which may be associated with local vascular compression causing abnormal nerve discharges. Surgical treatment might be necessary to relieve the compression. Sciatica is also caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. The third case might be due to nonspecific inflammatory responses. For example, Guillain-Barre syndrome can also cause neuralgia, and treatment should be directed at the underlying cause.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Is intercostal neuralgia severe?

First, it should be noted that intercostal neuralgia is not a very serious disease; it is a chronic condition but can be recovered from with long-term treatment as long as treatment is consistently followed. Commonly, treatment for intercostal neuralgia can be supplemented with physiotherapy methods such as acupuncture, massage, and cupping, which are very effective. Additionally, topical application of ointments that invigorate the blood and dispel stasis, or oral administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and neuro-nourishing medications, can be completely adequate. For cases where the symptoms of intercostal neuralgia are particularly severe, local block injections may be performed. Furthermore, it is important to rest and protect the affected area, avoid cold exposure, and minimize irritation to the area to facilitate recovery.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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What is brachial plexus neuropathy?

Brachial plexus neuropathy occurs when certain pathological changes affect the brachial plexus, causing clinical symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness. The brachial plexus is composed of four nerves from cervical vertebrae 6 to 7, 8, and thoracic vertebra 1. The brachial plexus gives rise to the median nerve, ulnar nerve, and radial nerve, making it a central hub. If the brachial plexus is injured, for instance, through trauma such as stretching, tearing, tumor compression, or bone impingement, this can lead to clinical manifestations including pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms and hands, a condition known as brachial plexus neuropathy. If such symptoms occur, it is crucial to promptly complete the necessary examinations to clarify the changes in the condition.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Symptoms of tooth nerve pain

Symptoms of tooth nerve pain include pain triggered by cold, hot, sour, sweet stimuli, spontaneous pain, secondary pain, and nighttime pain, as well as unlocalized pain. These are also the main symptoms of pulpitis. Among them, pain triggered by cold, hot, sour, and sweet stimuli is more obvious. Sometimes the pain may intensify with temperature changes, such as cold and hot stimuli. If the pulpitis reaches the acute suppurative stage, there may also be pain that worsens with heat and is relieved by cold. It is common to see patients coming to the clinic holding cold water, indicating that cold water may provide temporary pain relief. In addition, severe nighttime pain might occur, where there is no pain during the day, but intense pain at night, sometimes making it difficult to sleep or waking from sleep due to the pain. Sometimes tooth nerve pain can also be unlocalized, potentially causing pain in the temporal area or affecting both upper and lower jaw teeth.

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Written by Zhang Hui
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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.