Symptoms, prevention and treatment of neuritis

Neuritis is a serious nerve disorder that is characterized not only by pain, but also by loss of sensation in the affected area and even paralysis. A patient may have one or more peripheral nerves affected. The first form of the disease is called mononeuritis. If several nerves are inflamed, it is polyneuritis. Polyneuritis is most often chronic.

Symptoms of neuritis

For any form of neuritis, the following symptoms are characteristic:

• Reducing the level of sensitivity. A person may feel a tingling sensation, often there is a feeling of goosebumps all over the body.
• Decreased physical activity. Often there is weakness in the muscles, they become flabby, lethargic. Over time, the muscles shrink and atrophy develops.
• The patient has problems with blood vessels, internal organs begin to work worse. External signs of such violations are cyanosis of the face, increased sweating, the appearance of edema.

In addition, there are symptoms for the defeat of each organ. For example, if the ulnar nerve is pinched, it is difficult for a person to collect his fingers into a fist, because the little finger almost stops moving. The radial nerve is often affected as a result of prolonged use of crutches, as well as during pregnancy or due to complications that have arisen after an infectious disease.

When the disease touches the brachial nerve, a person becomes limited in movement, severe pain symptoms appear, and the skin almost disappears.

Symptoms are especially pronounced with neuritis of the facial nerve. Since one part of the face is practically immobilized in a person, it becomes asymmetrical. The lips can hardly move, the eyes do not close, it is impossible to wrinkle the forehead. Ear pain may also occur.

In addition, the person usually experiences weakness and severe malaise. If such symptoms occur, an urgent need to consult a specialist.

Causes of neuritis

The development of neuritis can be caused by both external and internal reasons. External factors include the following:

• intoxication of the body with medicines, alcohol or food;
• squeezing the nerve, for example, during work or during an unsuccessful turn;
• various injuries.

Internal causes are various diseases: obesity, diabetes, rheumatism, endocrine disorders. Neuritis can also occur during pregnancy, as well as due to hereditary factors.

Hypothermia is another common cause. Those who like to ventilate the room for a long time or walk without a hat in cold weather more than others run the risk of getting neuritis. It is especially dangerous if the neck area is exposed to hypothermia.

Neuritis treatment

The symptoms of neuritis have a lot in common with some other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or a brain tumor. To confirm or refute the diagnosis, various diagnostic methods are used. For example, electroneurography may be assigned. It helps to find out the degree of nerve damage and choose the optimal course of therapy.

Neuritis is a disease that can be caused by both bacteria and viruses. Depending on the cause, the method of treatment is also selected. If the disease is bacterial in nature, sulfonamides and antibiotics are usually prescribed. When the disease is caused by a virus, interferon or gamma globulin is prescribed.

In addition, physiotherapy methods are regularly used in complex treatment. To reduce pain and improve nerve generation, patients are prescribed procedures such as electrophoresis, UHF or pulsed current. Also, water and mud therapy, paraffin wraps and everything that helps to alleviate the patient's condition are used. Massage and exercise therapy play an important role in treatment.

Often, traditional medicine is also used in the treatment of the disease. For example, there are a lot of good reviews about bear lard, which needs to be rubbed on damaged areas. Horseradish leaves, clay compresses with the addition of vinegar, herbal tea and various medicinal infusions also help. For example, you can make a healing collection of several components: willow tea, raspberry and lingonberry leaves.

As for the prognosis, usually in young patients, the body regenerates well and neuritis can be cured. If the patient is an elderly person and has concomitant diseases, for example, diabetes mellitus, much depends on the characteristics of the organism. It happens that in some patients muscle paralysis occurs, especially if the therapy was chosen incorrectly.

Since it is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it, special attention should be paid to the prevention of neuritis. Dress warmly in cold weather and avoid injury and infection. It is necessary to get vaccinated on time, pay more attention to oral hygiene and take care of the condition of the teeth.

Also, preventive measures include adherence to a diet. To protect yourself from this dangerous disease or to prevent relapse, you need to include in the diet foods rich in vitamins. In winter, when their deficiency is felt, you can take specially selected vitamin complexes.

Neuritis is a serious disease, so it is important to detect it as soon as possible and begin treatment. If the course of therapy is selected correctly, in most cases everything ends well.