Neuralgia is an intense burning or stabbing pain caused by irritation or damage to a nerve. The pain can be brief, but may be severe. There are different types of neuralgia. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is sharp pain around the throat and tonsil area. Migraine neuralgia is sharp pain around the forehead and eye area. Occipital neuralgia occurs when there is pain on one side of the back of the head. Postherpetic neuralgia is persistent pain that occurs as a complication of a shingles infection. Trigeminal neuralgia is brief episodes of severe shooting pain on one side of the face.
Instructions
1. Eat healthy foods. One cause of neuralgia is a poor diet. A person should eat plenty of whole grains and green vegetables for the B vitamins essential for nerve health. A whole foods diet with adequate protein, carbohydrates, and fats that also includes yeast, liver, and wheat germ may also be helpful in preventing neuritis. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is especially important. Without thiamine, the nerves are unable to use carbohydrates for energy.
2. Brush teeth regularly and keep good dental hygiene. One of the causes of trigeminal neuralgia is pain in the teeth. It could be due to undetected tooth abscesses and other infections. If a person maintains good dental hygiene, it can prevent trigeminal neuralgia.
3. Keep strict control of blood sugar. Since diabetes can lead to neuralgia, preventing diabetes or controlling diabetes can help prevent the development of neuralgia.
4. Visit doctor to treat shingles. People with shingles should see a doctor within three days of developing the rash because aggressive treatment of the blisters can minimize the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia.
5. Get vaccinated. Two vaccines may help prevent shingles and prevent it from leading to postherpetic neuralgia. Both the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine and the shingles (varicella-zoster) vaccine can prevent someone from getting shingles and, eventually, postherpetic neuralgia.
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