Your doctor will be able to see the spinal cord as a grey area in the middle surrounded by a white area which is the spinal fluid. There are little white channels on either side of the spinal cord where the nerve roots come out from the spinal cord. The conditions that may be causing nerve damage that can be identified by MRI include spinal cord compression or fracture, arthritic changes, tumors pressing on a nerve, or herniated vertebral discs.
Nerve damage often progressively gets worse and cannot be completely cured, but symptoms can be reduced with prompt treatment. The main objective of diagnostic tests is to figure out the kind and frequency of activity of muscles and nerves. The various kinds of tests included in the diagnostic testing include magnetic resonance imaging MRI , nerve biopsy, and spinal tap. However, the root cause might not be detected for the patients with longstanding neuropathy.
Electro-diagnostic testing — If no clear results are obtained from the various diagnostic tests, further detailed examination can be done using more advanced electro-diagnostic tests. These tests are also usually done to measure the activity of nerves and muscles, based on the response of electrical inputs.
Based on these tests, the actual magnitude of nerve damage and its root cause is determined. The main electro-diagnostic tests which a neurologist generally recommends are non-invasive neurological ones, such as nerve conduction velocity NCV and electromyography EMG. These tests can also be done along with diagnostic testing in order to have a clearer and elaborative idea of all the aspects related to the concerned nerve damage.
Various blood tests — For testing various kinds of side effects such as the presence of toxic elements in blood, abnormality in immune response, and vitamin deficiencies, blood tests are conducted.
These blood tests are very beneficial in finding the root causes of neuropathy. These tests include checking the levels of vitamin B12 and folate, as well as the condition of thyroid, liver, and kidney. It also includes tests for oral glucose tolerance, antibodies related to nerve components and celiac disease, hepatitis C and B, and vasculitis evaluation.
Advanced additional testing — These tests are considered if the doctor finds the concerned neuropathy is of a specific type when the magnitude and responses are of different types to what the usual suspects are. In such cases, the various kinds of tests included are quantitative sensory testing QST and autonomic testing, which are recommended upfront by the doctor. A neurologist is a specialized trained doctor in treating, diagnosing, and managing the brain's nervous system and brain disorders.
Also treating migraine, concussion, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke, and Parkinson's disease. A child neurologist, also known as pediatric, has undergone specialized training in diagnosing and treating neurological disorders in children. The diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the brain, nervous system, spinal cord, blood vessels, muscles, and nerves are neurology subjects.
However, more serious injuries can cause severe nerve damage which often requires nerve repairs. Nerves are made up of fibers, which are also called axons. These fibers are covered with tissues that act as a type of insulation. Sometimes, after an injury, only the fibers are damaged. In the more serious scenarios, both the fibers and tissues are damaged. In some cases, the nerve is completely cut. Without properly functioning nerves, you are likely to experience uncomfortable or even painful sensations.
These occur because the nerves are not able to carry the correct signals from the brain to the spinal cord. Nerve pain affects a growing number of individuals undergoing chemotherapy treatment, living with diabetes or having suffered an injury. An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from peripheral nerve damage, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Nerve damage can cause a tingling, burning sensation in the arms, hands, legs and feet, making it impossible to function on a daily basis. The causes as to why and how certain patients are susceptible to nerve pain can vary.
Even the pain levels or difficulty standing and walking may also differ. Have you experienced any of the common signs of nerve pain?
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