NEURALGIA

Category: Diseases of The Nervous System

Pain occurring in the course of the nerves and in their area
of distribution. The pain has remission and intermissions, and is due to
some morbid affection of the nerves of sensation or their spinal or
(brain) centers.

Causes. The affection may depend upon some functional disturbance alone;
or it may be due to some organic disease of the nerve or to some disease
or diseased state outside of the nervous system. It occurs more frequently
in women past the middle-age, in those of a nervous tendency. As stated,
it affects women more than men. Debility is a frequent cause. Neuralgia is
frequently associated with the various forms of anemia. It may occur at
the onset of acute diseases like typhoid fever. Exposure to cold causes it
in susceptible persons. Decayed teeth may cause neuralgia of the fifth
nerve. It also occurs in rheumatism, gout, lead poisoning, and diabetes.
Persistent neuralgia may be a feature of hidden Bright's disease.

Symptoms. Pain is the chief and characteristic symptom. It may develop
suddenly and without warning, or soreness or stiffness in the tissues
surrounding may precede it. There is a burning or violent sensation in the
course of the affected nerve, increased on exertion in acute cases. In
other cases the pain comes intermittently or in paroxysms, and is of a
darting, stabbing character, or accompanied by tingling sensations. There
may be a want of sensation of the skin in the affected region or
over-sensitiveness over the entire nerve-trunk with certain painful
points. The attacks of pain may come only at long intervals of time, but
usually they occur every few minutes and last for some hours. Pain may be
continued for hours or days in severe cases. In rare cases it may persist
for months or years, being worse at a certain time each day, especially in
cases where malaria exists. There is paleness or congestion of the part
affected, various eruptions, and changes in the color of the hair occur
and, in advanced chronic cases, symptoms of interference with the general
nutrition also occur. Spasms of the adjacent muscles may accompany the
severe paroxysms.

Varieties. Neuralgia may be classified according to its causes, as
neurotic, toxic, rheumatic, etc.; or according to its location as
trifacial, intercostal, sciatic, and so on, Exposure to cold, mechanical
irritations, tumors, pressure on the nerves, and wounds may lead to
neuralgia. It is more frequent in cold and damp climates than in dry and
warm locations; everyone should remember the causes.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. Neuralgia. 1. Lemon Juice as Liniment for. "Cut a
lemon in two and squeeze juice on parts afflicted and rub in, then place
hot cloths over it. I know this will cure the pain." This is very good.

2. Neuralgia, Salt and Vinegar Will Relieve. "A small sack of hot salt
applied to the pain, or steam with vinegar." The heat from the salt is
very effective and the moisture of the vinegar is also very good. This
simply produces a counter irritation.

3. Neuralgia, Quinine Will Cure. "Use quinine three times a day." It is
well in taking quinine to take two grains three times a day for two days,
then take some good cathartic, so as not allow the quinine to remain in
the system. This is very beneficial, especially when neuralgia is due to
malarial conditions.

4. Neuralgia, Four Ingredient Remedy for.

"Oil of Peppermint 1 ounce
Oil of Mustard (strong) 1/4 ounce
Vinegar 1 pint
White of one egg.

Beat egg and stir all together."

5. Neuralgia, Good Liniment for.

"Essential Oil of Mustard 1 dram
Tincture Aconite 1 dram
Glycerin 1 ounce
Alcohol 4 ounces

Mix and shake well before using."

This remedy is a valuable external preparation for all nervous and
neuralgia pains, rub twice a day until relieved.

6. Neuralgia, Menthol Liniment for. "One dram of menthol liniment, two
ounces of alcohol. This makes a very excellent liniment for many purposes.
For rheumatism, neuralgia, headache, etc." This liniment will be found
very beneficial as the menthol is soothing and quieting, and we all know
that alcohol is very good to be applied for any of the above mentioned
diseases.

7. Neuralgia, Belladonna Plaster for. "Melt three ounces of rosin plaster
and add one-half ounce of extract of belladonna. An excellent application
in neuralgia and rheumatism."

PHYSICIANS' GENERAL TREATMENT for Neuralgia. Remove the cause if
possible. If from anemia, give tonics for that and try to cure that
disease. Tonics with good nourishing food, and proper surroundings are
needed for anemia. In malaria, syphilitic or gouty patients,
constitutional treatment must be given for those diseases before the
neuralgia will be better. The systematic use of galvanic electricity,
properly used, is the most valuable means at the physician's disposal,
especially in the descending current, beginning with the mild current and
gradually increasing in strength. Internally: Arsenic, bromine, ergotinc,
aconite, gelsemium, valerian, ether, cannabis indica and quinine are
recommended. Opium may be used in the very severe forms, but it must be
used with caution, or you will make your patient a drug fiend, and his
latter state will be worse than the first condition. Wet compresses, vapor
baths, cold affusions, wet cloths, are highly recommended.

1. For the Cure of an Attack--

Antipyrine 30 grains
Citrate of Caffeine 20 grains

Make into ten powders. Take one everyone-half hour until 3 doses are
taken. Three (3) doses at least should relieve the neuralgia.

2. Antipyrine 30 to 60 grams
Bromide of Potash 3 drams

Mix: and make into ten powders; one every thirty minutes until relieved or
until six doses have been taken; this is better than the first
prescription when there is much nervousness with the neuralgia or
neuralgic headaches.

3. If caffeine in first prescription causes nervousness, give this one:

Antipyrine 30 to 60 grains
Citrate of Caffeine 10 grains
Bromide of Potash 3 drams

Mix and make ten powders. Take one every half hour until relieved or until
six doses have been used.

These are very effective prescriptions, but if a person has any heart
trouble I would not advise their use except under a physician's care.
(Sometimes a patient with neuralgia gets desperate, and he will even
resort to morphine). Antipyrine is one of the simplest coal tar remedies,
and most persons can safely take it. Persons who are subject to neuralgia
or headaches need to take good care of themselves. Get plenty of rest and
sleep. Neuralgia at first can be cured, but when it once becomes chronic,
especially neuralgia of the face, it is hard to cure and frequently makes
life a constant misery. Plenty of outdoor life is essential. In that way
the system will be built up, and when the body is strong the disease can
be thrown off much easier. A great many people depend too much upon strong
medicines. Medicines are all right in their place, but all the medicine in
the world cannot cure a person unless that person does his or her part.

SPECIAL DISEASES. Facial Neuralgia. (Neuralgia of the fifth pair of
Cranial Nerves. Also known as Trifacial Neuralgia. Neuralgia of the
Trigeminus. Tic doloureux, etc.). This form is more frequent than all
other forms combined, this nerve being peculiarly susceptible to
functional and organic disorders. All three branches are very rarely
affected together, the ophthalmic (eye) branch being most often involved.
The symptoms depend upon the branch involved.

1. Ophthalmic Neuralgia Pain, (eye neuralgia pain). This pain is above
the eye, or frontal kind, with a special painful point at the supraorbital
(above the eye) notch. Sometimes the pain is very severe in the eye-ball.

2. Supramaxillary Neuralgia. In this the pain is along the infraorbital
(nerve beneath the eye) nerve, and there is a marked tender point at the
opening in the bone (infraorbital foramen) beneath the eye. A
toothache-like pain in the upper teeth is common in this variety.

3. Inframaxillary (lower maxillary) Neuralgia. This is characterized by a
scattered (diffused) pain along the inferior dental (teeth) branch, and
extends from the temporal (side forehead) region over the side of the face
to the chin, with pain in the lower teeth and side of the tongue. The pain
in this nerve may come on without any special cause, or it may come after
excitement of a physical or mental nature. Disorders of nutrition occur.
The circulation is interfered with and the face, at first pale, becomes
red. Eruptions may appear along the course of the nerve, while salivation
and "running" (lachrymation) of the eyes are often prominent symptoms.
Spasms of muscles of the face (tic doloureux) may accompany the paroxysms
and this is the most terrible form of nerve pain. The attacks may be mild
or very severe and sometimes sudden. This is a terrible disease,
especially when it has existed for some time. A person with severe pain in
the face should always attend to it immediately, before it becomes
chronic.

Treatment. It is directed towards removing the cause, if possible.
Chronic cases are difficult to cure. The patient should be careful not to
take cold, keep strong and healthy by regular hours for sleep, good
sufficient clothing. The general health must be improved. These directions
apply to all kinds of neuralgia.

Next: INTERCOSTAL NEURALGIA

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NEURALGIA