Why does cranial nerve strain occur?

Cranial nerve strain is often considered a less serious condition. However, if not properly diagnosed and treated, it can progress into more complex disorders. In the following article, let’s explore the causes of cranial nerve strain and its treatment options.

1. Why does cranial nerve strain occur?

Cranial nerve strain is a condition where the nerves are not positioned correctly within the tissues. This can happen due to repetitive body movements, overexertion, excessive pressure on muscles, muscle strain, joint tightness, stress, etc. There are over 100 different types of nerve damage. It is estimated that about 20 million Americans suffer from nerve damage, mainly in older adults and people with diabetes (accounting for 70% of cases). Here are the common causes of cranial nerve strain:

• Autoimmune diseases: Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome (where peripheral nerves are attacked by the immune system), lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, etc., can cause pain and damage to the peripheral nervous system.
• Cancer: Tumors pressing on nerves can cause cranial nerve strain. Additionally, cancer can hinder the body’s absorption of nutrients essential for the nervous system. Some chemotherapy and radiation therapy drugs can cause nerve damage in many patients.
• Injury: Any cause of injury or compression to a nerve can lead to strain and damage to this part (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical nerve compression, etc.).
• Diabetes: 70% of people with diabetes experience nerve damage. Among them, sensory nerves are most severely affected, causing patients to often feel burning, numbness, and mental stress.
• Side effects of medications and toxic chemicals: Medications, chemotherapy, HIV treatment drugs, alcohol addiction, lead poisoning, arsenic, mercury, etc., can cause pain and nerve damage.
• Motor neuron diseases: Conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease cause damage to motor nerves and put pressure on the cranial nerves.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamins B6 and B12 can cause symptoms of pain and nerve strain. This condition can also be a result of gastric surgery or excessive alcohol consumption.
• Infectious diseases: Some infectious diseases can affect the nerves in the body, such as Lyme disease, Herpes, HIV, and Hepatitis C.

2. Effects of cranial nerve strain/pain

If not treated promptly, cranial nerve strain can lead to muscle weakness, reduced movement, paralysis, burning sensations, or even progress into more complex medical conditions. In most cases, the symptoms of cranial nerve strain are often difficult to detect and can be easily confused with other common ailments. For diagnosis, doctors typically rely on nerve conduction studies and various other procedures depending on the patient’s current condition.

3. What to do when experiencing cranial nerve strain?

In most cases, nerve damage is almost impossible to completely cure. However, treatment can help reduce symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening over time. The goals of treating nerve strain include:

• Controlling and managing blood sugar levels if the patient has diabetes.
• Addressing any nutritional deficiencies.
• Changing medications or treatment plans if the nerve strain is caused by medication.
• Physical therapy or surgery to address nerve compression.
• Medication to treat autoimmune diseases.

Doctors may prescribe pain relievers, tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, desipramine, duloxetine, venlafaxine, etc.), anticonvulsants (gabapentin, pregabalin), or topical creams (capsaicin, lidocaine) to alleviate nerve pain.

Physical therapy can help improve symptoms like aches, cranial nerve twitches, and dizziness caused by cranial nerve strain. Physical therapy includes massage, stretching, and therapeutic exercises with the following benefits:

• Muscle movement to prevent muscle atrophy and enhance brain coordination.
• Keeping joints flexible and allowing free movement.
• Improving mobility and daily activities.

If the nerve strain is caused by injury or a tumor, the doctor may recommend surgery to definitively resolve the pain. Patients need to adopt a healthy lifestyle, lose weight, exercise regularly, and increase their intake of vitamin B, vitamin D, alpha-lipoic acid, and acetyl-L-carnitine.

Cranial nerve strain is caused by various factors. Patients can manage mild pain at home through relaxation, warm compresses, over-the-counter pain relievers, or supplements beneficial for the nervous system. However, if the pain becomes severe or persistent, patients should seek immediate medical attention for timely diagnosis and treatment.

References: Healthline.com, Medicalnewstoday.com, Msdmanuals.com, Mountsinai.org