by 3 hours ago
ANSWERS: 4
-
<div class="section1">Neuralgia is a symptom of an underlying disorder; its diagnosis depends on finding the cause of the condition creating the pain.
To diagnose occipital neuralgia, a doctor can inject a small amount of anesthetic into the region of the occipital nerve. If the pain temporarily disappears, and there are no other physical reasons for the pain, the doctor may recommend surgery to deal with the pinched nerve.
Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed.";
Neuralgia is diagnosed by a combination of a comprehensive neurological exam, patient history, sensation testing (pain, touch, paresthesia, proprioception), EMG testing, and vascular testing (these are some of the tests). Imaging studies are also commonly done (usually MRI).
Neuralgia is probably best considered a symptom rather than a condition on its own. It is also regrettably a symptom that many general practitioners and no few neurologists are not well trained to definitively assess. Thus anyone who deals with symptoms said to be those of neuralgia, should prepare themselves by personal on-line research, or solicit the assistance of someone who is expert in such research. Having at one time earned my living under contract to US Intelligence agencies as an open source intelligence analyst, I am at least moderately qualified.
To get a general sense of who I am, you can run a google search on my nickname and last name. I'm quite visible on the Web. Then feel free to follow up here or through my personal website, with more detailed questions or a review of the symptoms you need to investigate...
Go in Peace and Power,
R.A. "Red" Lawhern, Ph.D.
Thriftymaid I'm no doctor
