Neuritis and Neuralgia Difference

Introduction:

Neuritis means inflammation of a peripheral nerve or nerves; examples of neuritis are optic neuritis, facial neuritis, brachial neuritis, etc. Neuralgia is caused because of irritation or damage to the nerve; examples of neuralgia are trigeminal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia, etc. Both these conditions might have some similar symptoms but are truly different conditions.

What Is the Difference Between Neuritis Neuralgia and Neuralgia?

Neuritis is a condition in which pain and loss of function occur due to inflammation of a peripheral nerve or nerves. Neuralgia is a condition in which sharp, shocking pain follows the path of a nerve and is caused because of irritation or damage to the nerve. Neuritis and neuralgia might exhibit some standard features and are often mistakenly termed interchangeably. However, these are two genuinely different medical conditions.

What Is Neuritis?

Neuritis occurs when peripheral nerve inflammation (nerves outside the central nervous system) occurs. Symptoms of neuritis vary as per the affected nerves and primarily include weakness, numbness, pain, tingling sensations, loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, or sensory disturbances (e.g., vision, balance, hearing). These symptoms can go on their own or may need treatment. Neuritis affects the peripheral nerves and leads to changes in their structure. Some of the types of neuritis are:

1. Optic Neuritis: Inflammation of the optic nerves is seen due to several flu infections, dental diseases, tonsillitis, eye trauma, brain inflammation, liver problems, diabetes, smoking, alcohol abuse, etc.

Anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics can do treatment of optic neuritis.

Antispasmodic drugs, detoxification, etc.

2. Facial Neuritis: Inflammation of the facial nerves is seen, which causes a decrease (or absence) of movements. Facial neuritis is also known as Bell's palsy, in which paralysis of one side of the face is seen. Some of its symptoms are pain behind the ear, smoothing of the nasolabial fold, difficulty closing the eyelids or lip movement, distorted facial asymmetry, etc.

Facial neuritis can be treated through special drug therapy, massages, and exercise therapy.

3. Brachial Neuritis: Damage caused to the spinal and cervical nerves occurs, and severe pain and decreased arm mobility are reported in this condition. The usual symptoms seen in this condition are pain, weakness, tingling, or burning sensation in the shoulder, neck, arms, and chest.

Treatment of brachial neuritis is possible with medications such as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). They are applied to the shoulder and other regions of pain. Surgical intervention (for brachial nerve inflammation) also provides effective results.

How Is Neuritis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of neuritis can be done in various ways, such as:

• Blood Tests (Clinical and Biochemical): Doctors might advise performing a blood test to check for blood sugar levels and kidney function.

• Urine Analysis: This is done to test for kidney functioning and other abnormalities.

• CT-Scan: Computed tomography scan is an imaging technique that helps identify the disease.

• MRI: MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an advanced imaging technique that can help determine if a person has neuritis.

What Is Neuralgia?

Neuralgia is a condition seen due to damage or injury to a nerve, pressure on a nerve, or changes in how the nerve functions. A person often experiences sharp, stabbing, or burning pain due to a damaged or irritated nerve. Neuralgia can be seen as a result of neuritis. Some of the frequently seen types of neuralgia are:

1. Occipital Neuralgia: It is also known as C2 neuralgia. Pain in the neck, back of the head, and behind the eyes is often seen in this condition. Occipital neuralgia is usually caused due to chronic contractions in the muscles and spondylosis of the cervical spine.

2. Trigeminal Neuralgia: Is characterized by episodes of facial pain. It can be caused by neuropathy. When active inflammation ceases, a damaged trigeminal nerve can misfire despite no ongoing insult to the nerve. This results in neuralgia.

3. Postherpetic neuralgia: It is frequently seen as a complication of shingles and can be seen in any body part. Shingle is a viral infection in which blisters and a painful red rash are seen on the body. Pain can be mild or severe in nature and intermittent or persistent. It might last from months to years.

4. Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia: It is a less frequently seen disease caused due to pain in the glossopharyngeal nerve, which is present in the throat. It is a type of neuralgia that causes pain in the neck and throat region.

5. Occipital Neuralgia: Occipital neuralgia is a less frequent type of neuralgia in which occipital nerves are affected. The occipital nerves are found in the scalp, due to which occipital neuralgia causes headaches.

6. Intercostal Neuralgia: Intercostal neuralgia is a type of neuralgia that affects the intercostal nerves, which are present in the chest, rib cage, and abdomen.

How Is Neuralgia Diagnosed?

• Blood Tests: A doctor might advise to perform a blood test to see the blood sugar levels and kidney function.

• MRI: An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can help a doctor determine if you have MS.

• Nerve Conduction Velocity Test: The nerve conduction velocity test helps a doctor detect the severity of nerve damage. It finds the speed of signals at which the signals move through the nerves.

Can Neuropathy Get Worse?

The initial signs of neuropathy can differ. For some people, the initial stages of neuropathy can be sudden, and the condition can progress rapidly, and for some, it may take years to develop.

How Is Neuralgia Treated?

The treatments for neuralgia are:

• Blood Sugar Management: It may help in decreasing the progression of diabetic neuropathy.

• Physical Therapy: It is a rehabilitative process that diagnoses and treats chronic and acute injuries and movement dysfunction.

• A Nerve Block: It is an injection directed at a particular nerve or nerve group that's intended to "turn off" pain signals and reduce inflammation

• Medications: These are given to relieve pain. Examples are NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), Capsaicin (a cream or patch), antidepressants such as Amitriptyline or Nortriptyline (Pamelor) effective in treating nerve pain, antiseizure medications such as Carbamazepine (Epitol, Tegretol), effective against trigeminal neuralgia.

• Surgery: Surgical intervention is done to relieve the pressure present on the nerve.

Conclusion:

Neuritis and neuralgia are two totally different conditions that may possess similar symptoms or be termed the same mistakenly. Neuritis is the inflammation of the nerves, while neuralgia is caused due to irritation in the nerves. Both can be treated as per their signs and symptoms by medication or surgical intervention.