A burning sensation is a distinct type of pain that is neither a dull, sharp, nor a stabbing pain and it can stem from a multitude of conditions in the body, although, in most cases, it is linked to a disorder of the nervous system.
In addition, there are quite a number of causative factors that can act as triggers of nerve pain and, in most cases, these triggers cause damage to the nerves.
There are many nerve dysfunctions that can cause chronic pain such as diabetic neuropathy but there is also burning nerve pain and nerve damage which usually affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems. They include:
Other than causing pain, this disorder affects the nerves of the central nervous system resulting in burning pain, freezing, itching, numbness, pins and needles, and dull aches. This neurological condition can either be mild, moderate, or severe.
Central Pain Syndrome mostly affects the nerve fibers in the brain. It can be caused by tumors, a stroke, trauma, or epilepsy. Central Pain syndrome affects the quality of a person’s life and symptoms can only be managed, not cured.
Nerve damage lying outside the spinal cord causes a condition known as mononeuritis multiplex. The disorder is usually caused by infections or autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, polyarteritis nodosa, leprosy, Lyme disease, sarcoidosis, systemic lupus, and diabetes mellitus.
When this condition presents itself, it comes with symptoms, such as tingling, incontinence, paralysis, burning pain, and weakness. Mononeuritis multiplex can lead to loss of sensation in multiple areas of the body and loss of motor functions.
Cervical spondylosis is a neurological disorder that is caused by aging. The medical condition affects the discs and joints of the cervical spine located in the neck. Cervical spondylosis is also called “neck arthritis.”
Wear and tear of the bones and cartilages surrounding the neck can cause compression of the nerves, resulting in intense burning pain. This burning pain is always localized along the shoulder pain.
Sometimes, people suffering from this condition may complain of pain around their arms too. The pain might increase when the person is standing, sitting, or walking.
Damage caused to the peripheral nerves cause peripheral neuropathy, inhibiting their ability to function properly. This dysfunction causes an intense burning sensation. It can be caused by injury, infections, or a system disorder.
The pain which can occur at any part of the body outside of the central nervous system usually causes symptoms like numbness, weakness, and intense burning pain, which can either be mild or moderate.
Radiculopathy is more commonly known as a pinched nerve in the spine. This age-related disorder is caused by deterioration of cartilage, muscles, and bone in the body over time. As the bone and cartilage wear down, it puts pressure on the nerve roots.
Compression of nerve roots causes numbness and severe burning pain. Radiculopathy can also occur as a result of trauma or injury in the spine resulting in burning pain which can either be a shooting or sharp pain.
The burning and stabbing pain resulting from an irritated nerve is called Neuralgia. Neuralgia can affect any part of the body but it mostly affects the nerves located in the face and neck.
This condition can be caused by a series of complications from diseases like diabetes or multiple sclerosis. At other times, it may be due to an infection, pressure on the nerves, trauma, chemical irritation, side effects of chemotherapy, or simply aging.
One of the most life-threatening conditions that affect the central nervous system is Multiple Sclerosis. It usually presents serious burning pain in the nerves. Multiple Sclerosis causes the immune system of the body to launch an attack on an insulating layer covering the cells called myelin. Damage to myelin leads to disruption of nerve signals transmitted by the nerve cells in the central nervous system.
When Multiple Sclerosis occurs, some areas of the body do not receive messages from the brain causing burning sensations and aches.
Mononeuropathy is one of the causes of burning nerve pain. It refers to a group of medical conditions that damage a single nerve. This damage usually results in burning pain which can either be moderate or extreme, spreading around different parts of the body. The major types of mononeuropathy, which cause extreme burning nerve pains include sciatica, ulnar nerve palsy, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
When the disks in the spine slip out of position, it causes a condition known as a herniated disk. The disks serve as shock absorbers which protect the vertebrae from the shock which occurs from daily physical activities like twisting or stretching. When any of the discs move out of their position, it can cause compression of the nerves and subsequent irritation which may result in burning pain.
Deficiency in some vital nutrients that play crucial roles in keeping the nerves healthy, can lead to a burning nerve pain sensation. Deficiency diseases like Beriberi, caused by a lack of vitamin B1, megaloblastic anemia, brought on by a lack of folic acid, and pernicious anemia, caused by a lack of vitamin B12, can all result in burning pain in the nervous system.
In actual fact, the vast majority of the health conditions that cause burning pain cannot be cured but different treatment options are available to help relieve the burden of the pain and improve quality of life. It is best to treat the burning pain, especially if there is an underlying cause. Available treatment options for burning nerve pain include:
Dietary interventions like supplementation with some macro and micronutrients help in slowing down the progression of nerve damage. One of the best supplement brands that are light years apart from its peers is the supplement Nerve Renew.
This supplement is enriched with vitamins and minerals that researchers have proven to be very beneficial in the maintenance of the health of the nerves in the body. These ingredients include a potent blend of Methylcobalamin (the bioavailable form of vitamin B12 which helps to reverse anemia), Bentofamine (the bioavailable form of vitamin B1), and standard R-Alpha lipoic acid (an antioxidant which helps to relieve the symptoms of neuropathy).
