Peripheral Neuropathy
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a form of nerve damage that affects the peripheral nerves, often causing symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning pain, and loss of sensation. Getting past peripheral neuropathy is possible, but it usually requires a combination of medical therapies, lifestyle changes, self-care measures, and treatment of the underlying medical condition. Recovery from nerve damage also means relief from these uncomfortable and often limiting symptoms.
Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy?
Since neuropathy can result from a variety of factors, your doctor may need time to determine the exact cause of your condition. To help with this, your physician will ask questions about several aspects of your life, including:
Many medical conditions are associated with the neurological issue including:
- Excessive consumption of alcohol, which can lead to poor dietary choices and vitamin deficiencies, such as B vitamins and vitamin E, that may cause nerve damage. This may also apply to individuals with poor dietary habits or disorders that increase the risk of vitamin deficiencies.
- Exposure to toxins such as heavy metals, including mercury, and medications such as chemotherapy drugs
- Certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, which can lead to neuropathies
- Diabetes, which can also cause nerve damage and helps explain the high incidence of peripheral neuropathy in people with diabetes
- Trauma, pressure, and injury to the nerves, such as from repetitive motions, sports injuries, and prolonged plaster cast use
- Tumors exerting direct or indirect pressure on the nerves
Your doctor will also use standard and special diagnostic procedures to determine the exact causes for your neuropathy. Keep in mind that the underlying medical condition must be addressed first so that your symptoms can be relieved.
Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy depend largely on which nerves are affected. These may include:
- Sensory nerves, which carry sensations such as touch, heat, cold, pleasure, and pain
- Autonomic nerves, which control certain functions in the cardiovascular, digestive, and excretory systems
- Motor nerves, which control muscle movement
In most cases, peripheral neuropathy first affects the longest nerves, especially those that extend to the toes. Symptoms often begin gradually and may spread into the legs and arms over time, with each episode sometimes becoming more painful than the last. Common symptoms include numbness in the limbs, burning pain, tingling sensations, and extreme sensitivity to touch, often described as a pins-and-needles feeling.
In more severe cases, peripheral neuropathy may also cause muscle weakness and poor coordination when the motor nerves are affected. If the autonomic nerves are involved, bowel or bladder problems may occur. Unfortunately, peripheral neuropathy can affect two or more different types of nerves in multiple areas of the body.
Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy
Don’t wait for your symptoms to worsen before seeking medical attention. The earlier your symptoms are treated, the better your prognosis.
Your doctor will adopt several treatment protocols to address any underlying condition and to relieve your symptoms. These include:
- Medications such as over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers, anti-seizure drugs, antidepressants, and topical applications containing capsaicin or lidocaine
- Medical therapies such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
- Self-care measures such as taking good care of your feet, engaging in cardio exercise, and eating healthy meals
- Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption
- Massaging your feet and hands to help relieve symptoms by improving blood circulation
- Avoiding repetitive-motion activities or giving your hands and feet regular rest
With the right combination of treatments, many people experience gradual improvement in their peripheral neuropathy symptoms.
Contact HEALTHPOINTE for further information regarding Peripheral Neuropathy. If you or someone you know are suffering from said symptoms, be sure to visit one of our many locations in Southern California. Remember, we are always here to treat you!