Neuralgia is an umbrella term for any type of throbbing, or paroxysmal, pain that extends along the course of one or more of the peripheral nerves. Neuralgia is classified by both the part of the body affected ad the cause. In some cases, doctors can't find a cause; in others the cause is an infection or underlying disease, such as arthritis, diabetes, or syphilis. Tumors, both cancerous and benign, can cause neuralgia, as do structural problems in which nerves become compressed or pinched. Sciatica, the throbbing pain that can extend from the lower back and buttocks to the feet, is one of the most common examples. Various medications, as well as arsenic and other toxins, can also produce neuralgia.

Keep up vitamin B6 levels

The long term use of hydralazine (a powerful antihypertensive medication) or isoniazid (used to treat tuberculosis) can result in vitamin B6 deficiency, manifested by sensory loss and neuralgia. Anyone taking these drugs should follow a diet that provides extra B6; good sources include lean meat, poultry, fish, spinach, sweet and white potatoes, watermelon, bananas, and prunes. A doctor may prescribe B6 supplements; self-treating with high doses, however, can also damage sensory nerves.

Don't neglect vitamin B12

A deficiency of vitamin B12, found in all animal products, can lead to degeneration of the spinal cord and widespread neuralgia, as well as pernicious anemia. Most B12 deficiencies are due to a alack of intrinsic factor, a substance made by the stomach that is necessary to absorb the vitamin. Less often, a strict vegetarian diet can result in vitamin B12 deficiency.

In rare cases, malabsorption problems resulting in low vitamin E levels can cause a type of neuralgia. Doctors usually give supplements of 30 mg to 100 mg a day; good dietary sources include nuts, seeds, wheat germ, vegetable oils, fortified cereals, eggs, poultry, and seafood.

Alcoholics are at risk for neuralgia

Deficiencies of the B-complex vitamins can result in neuralgia involving numerous nerves throughout the body, a condition known as polyneuralgia or polyneuropathy. This condition often occurs in alcoholics, whose diets are generally poor. A deficiency of thiamine – a B-complex vitamin found in various animal products and fortified cereals, breads, and other grain products – is especially common among alcoholics, who may suffer from nerve pain as well as muscle weakness. Their treatment stars with detoxification, to rid the body of alcohol, and high-dose thiamine supplements. as recovery progresses and the diet improves, the supplements can gradually be decreased.