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Diagnosis of Neuralgia


If you suspect that you have neuralgia, visit your doctor with a complete list of symptoms. For a proper diagnosis of neuralgia, your doctor or health care provider will require your medical history and details regarding the symptoms such as the start of the pain, if you suffer from any other medical problems, the medications you are under, and information regarding any injuries or trauma that may have occurred in the recent past. In addition to these questions, a comprehensive physical examination will determine whether there are any abnormal sensations in the skin, any loss of muscle mass, problems with reflexes, and tenderness along any nerve pathways.

Other tests to diagnose neuralgia may include:

  • Neurological exam to determine the affected areas
  • A dental exam to rule out dental disorders that may be causing the facial pain and discomfort such as a tooth abscess
  • An x-ray to check if the cause of swelling is due to any bone fracture or due to nerve compression
  • Blood tests to determine if the kidneys are functioning properly as diabetes is a common cause of neuralgia
  • Blood tests to rule out the presence of any other infection that may be causing the pain
  • MRI scans
  • Nerve conduction study using electromyography
  • Spinal tap

Signs & Symptoms
Treatments
References
  1. Ann Berger, Marie Henderson, Wolffe Nadoolman, Valerie Duffy, Dennis Cooper, Lloyd Saberski, Linda Bartoshuk, Oral capsaicin provides temporary relief for oral mucositis pain secondary to chemotherapy/radiation therapy, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, Volume 10, Issue 3, April 1995, Pages 243-248, ISSN 0885-3924, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0885-3924(94)00130-D.