About 20 million Americans are afflicted with chronic nerve damage, according to Healthcommunities.com, including about 60 percent of Americans who are diagnosed diabetics. Injuries that involve nerve damage often can't be cured, but treatments can help to make the pain more manageable. Nerves are fragile and if damaged, can stop sending signals to and from the brain, which can lead to a loss of feeling in the injured area. Nerve damage is sometimes mild, but more severe nerve damage can affect an individual's quality of life, and finding a treatment that can help ease the condition is important.
Rest
Less severe nerve damage injuries may improve if an individual gets rest. Rest allows for proper healing, and the nerve damage may reverse itself as the wound begins the healing process. Rest may not be an effective form of treatment for everyone, but may be ideal if a doctor does not want to rush into a surgery, or if the individual dealing with the pain is hesitant to try medication or do anything that might further strain the injured area.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants may be effective for treating nerve damage. Medical News Today says that antidepressants and anticonvulsant drugs can ease the pain caused by nerve tissue damage. These medications will come with side effects, but some individuals may find that being able to better tolerate their pain outweighs any of the potential side effects. Even if an individual does not suffer from depression, a higher dosage of antidepressants still might help to manage the pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy and doctor recommended exercises can aid in the recovery by keeping the joints flexible. With physical therapy a patient will be able to adjust to life with the changes caused by nerve damage, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes. If a recovery is to be made after a nerve injury, the brain may need to relearn how the nerves and muscles should feel. Physical therapy may promote nerve growth and improve sensation in the injured area.
Surgery
In some cases, nerve damage from injuries can be repaired through surgery. Surgery may often be a last resort and might be expensive, but it can help to fix nerve damage or improve sensation in the damaged area by reconnecting nerves that have been damaged or disconnected.
