Types of Nerve Pain

• Three types of nerves exist in the human body, each producing different symptoms that can be classified as nerve pain. Autonomic nerves, which voluntarily regulate functions such as heart rate and temperature can cause irregularities in perspiration, numbness in the chest, constipation, and bladder dysfunction when damaged.
  
  Muscles are controlled by motor nerves. When motor nerves sustain damage, it may cause paralysis of the affected part, involuntary twitching, muscle atrophy, and a distinct and painful burning sensation. Sensory nerves are associated with our sense of touch. Damage to these nerves can cause the affected area to go numb, have a tingling sensation, and cause a similar burning pain to that caused by damage to motor nerves.
  
  

Causes of Nerve Pain

• Several health problems can lead to nerve pain. Autoimmune disorders, in which the body's immune system acts to its own detriment, can lead to nerve pain. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of which sufferers report all types of nerve pain.
  
  Certain infectious STDs--such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and genital herpes--can lead to any type of nerve pain. Diabetes is another disease that can cause pain in all three types of nerves, however sensory nerve pain is most commonly reported by diabetics. Certain diseases directly affect the motor nerves. Lou Gehrig's disease is one of many neurological disorders that leads to pain and dysfunction of these nerves. A lack of certain vitamins, such as B6 and B12, can lead to numbness or burning nerve pain.
  
  Finally, severe trauma or physical damage directly to a nerve can cause any type of nerve pain, depending on which area is affected. This includes pinched nerves, as is the case in sciatica, compression of the sciatic nerve.
  
  

Treatments for Nerve Pain

• Several nerve-specific pain relievers are available by prescription. Lyrica is a relatively common nerve pain drug that is effective in most patients. Depending on the type of nerve pain and its severity, many drugs are available that reduce these types of pain.
  
  In cases of direct damage to nerves, B-vitamin-rich substances such as fish oil are considered to aid in regeneration. Because nerve pain emerges from accidents and disorders that are not avoidable, prevention of nerve pain is a difficult thing to accomplish. The best measure is simply to be careful and maintain good nutrition.