neuralgia

strictly, pain in some part or the whole of a NERVE (without any physical change in the nerve) but used more widely to encompass pain following the course of a nerve or its branches, whatever the cause. Neuralgia often occurs at the same time each day and is frequently an agonizing pain. It occurs in several forms and is named accordingly, e.g. SCIATICA , trigeminal neuralgia (affecting the face, see TRIGEMINAL NERVE ) and intercostal neuralgia (affecting the RIBS ). Treatment often involves the application of ointments and the taking of painkilling drugs. If such treatments do not bring relief, it is possible to freeze the nerve or destroy part of it by surgery.