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Neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain is pain caused by damage to or disease of sensory nerves. It often feels burning, shooting or electric, with tingling, numbness or pain from light touch. Investigating the cause is important because treatment and urgency depend on whether it involves, for example, diabetes, shingles, pressure on a nerve, medicine-related damage or an acute neurological condition.

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Neuropathic pain is pain caused by damage to or disease of sensory nerves. It often feels burning, shooting or electric, with tingling, numbness or pain from light touch. Investigating the cause is important because treatment and urgency depend on whether it involves, for example, diabetes, shingles, pressure on a nerve, medicine-related damage or an acute neurological condition.

  • Burning, stabbing, cutting or electric pain that occurs spontaneously or in attacks.
  • Tingling, prickling, an itchy feeling or a painfully cold sensation without a matching skin temperature.
  • Check your feet and numb skin daily for blisters, wounds and heat or pressure damage, and wear shoes that fit well.
  • Build up movement gradually, paying attention to balance and preventing falls; do not exercise through new weakness.
  • Make an appointment for new burning or electric pain, loss of sensation, muscle weakness or symptoms that persist.
  • For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.

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E
Eye damage from diabetesDiabetes can damage blood vessels and nerve tissue in the eye. Diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema can cause no symptoms for a long time and later lead to permanent loss of vision. Regular eye checks and good treatment of glucose, blood pressure and other risk factors reduce the risk.
P
PolyneuropathyPolyneuropathy means that several nerves outside the brain and spinal cord are damaged, often first in the feet and later in the hands. Diabetes, alcohol, vitamin deficiency, medicines and inherited diseases are possible causes. Rapidly ascending weakness or breathing problems require emergency care.
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Nitrous oxideNitrous oxide may seem harmless because its effects are brief, but it can immediately cause oxygen deprivation, burns from extreme cold, falls and loss of consciousness. Repeated use can inactivate vitamin B12 and cause serious nerve damage. Thrombosis, mental health disturbances and pregnancy risks also make prompt assessment important.