Neuropathic pain

N europathic pain is often described as 'nerve pain'.It is an unpleasant change in sensa- tion caused by nerve damage or dysfunction of the peripheral and/or central nervous system.Neuropathic pain can be acute, due to infections or trauma, or chronic, due to diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or alcohol misuse.Factors increasing the risk of neuropathic pain becoming chronic include the presence of chronic underlying conditions such as diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy exposure, and patientspecific contributors such as psychological stress and limited social support.Neuropathic pain differs from nociceptive pain, which arises from tissue damage or inflammation.The pathophysiology of neuropathic pain is not fully understood, making diagnosis and management challenging.This article will outline the most common causes and risk factors, clarify how neuropathic pain presents, and discuss pharmacological and non-pharmacological management options aligned with current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.The aim is to support GPs in delivering patient-centred care and avoiding delays to effective pain relief.