Neuropatiska

Neuropatiska is a Swedish term that translates to neuropathic pain in English. Neuropathic pain is a complex pain condition that arises from damage or disease affecting the somatosensory nervous system. This can include the peripheral nerves, spinal cord, or brain. Unlike nociceptive pain, which is a protective response to actual tissue damage, neuropathic pain is caused by dysfunction within the pain signaling pathways themselves.

The symptoms of neuropathic pain can vary widely but often include burning, shooting, tingling, numbness, or electric shock-like sensations. It can be spontaneous, meaning it occurs without any apparent trigger, or it can be evoked by stimuli that are not normally painful, such as light touch (allodynia) or a normally painful stimulus that causes exaggerated pain (hyperalgesia). The pain can be constant or intermittent and can significantly impact a person's quality of life, affecting sleep, mood, and daily activities.

Common causes of neuropathic pain include diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), shingles (postherpetic neuralgia), nerve compression (like carpal tunnel syndrome), chemotherapy, stroke, and injury. Diagnosis typically involves a thorough medical history, a physical examination, and sometimes nerve conduction studies or imaging to identify the underlying cause. Treatment approaches are varied and may include medications such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical agents. Physical therapy, psychological support, and interventional procedures may also be part of a comprehensive management plan.