Symptoms Of Peripheral Neuropathy

In its most common form, symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include pain and numbness in the hands and feet. Some people feel a sense of tingling or burning. Other people feel like they have a thin stocking or glove over their feet and hands. There is not one cause for this condition; however, the most common cause is the result of diabetes. Other causes can be infections, traumatic injury, being exposed to a toxin, or even metabolic problems. Many times the condition will improve, especially when the patient undergoes peripheral neuropathy treatment to improve the underlying cause. But the improvement will take time. The medications often prescribed for this disease are drugs used for other illnesses such as epilepsy and depression.

To understand the progression of the disease means understanding the reasons for the condition. The condition revolves around the central nervous system, which entails the brain and the spinal cord as the main organs. All the nerves of the body are connected to these two members. These nerves tell when the body is touching something painful, such as heat. The nerves also control the movement of the muscles and automatic functions of the body such as blood pressure, heart beat rate, digestion, and the urinary system. This condition usually first affects the longest nerves, the ones that go down the leg and into the toes. Depending on which nerve is affected, a person can feel numbness and tingling in the legs, which may spread to other parts of the body, a burning pain or sharp, jabbing sensation, sensitivity to touch, a loss of coordination, muscle weakness even leading to paralysis, and urinary tract incontinence. These problems lead people to see peripheral neuropathy treatment.

Some causes of the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are easier to remedy than others. For example, is the cause is trauma or pressure on the nerve that can be reversed. Often people who have had to endure a cast or crutches are in this category or someone who has a repetitive job, such as a computer keyboard typist. A tumor could also be causing the pressure. If the cause is a deficiency in vitamin B, a change in diet is in order. Alcoholics may also experience this condition, which means dealing with the alcoholism for peripheral neuropathy treatment. With other causes, the remedy is more difficult because the disease cannot be cured. At least half of everyone who is diagnosed with diabetes will have this problem. Other diseases that can cause this condition are kidney disease, liver ailments, thyroid deficiencies, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, among others. Sometimes, the underlying problem is an inherited gene, which is impossible to reverse also. One of the most difficult is an exposure to poisons. This can include chemicals such as heavy metals or even some cancer drugs. Sometimes, the underlying reason is never found.

A person who experiences the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy should consult a doctor right away to determine what is wrong. Because the condition is hard to diagnose, the doctor will probably order a variety of tests to determine the cause. This could include blood tests, urinalysis, thyroid tests, and a nerve conductions study. This is called electromyography, which determines which nerves may be affected. The study shows how well the nerve can conduct electrical signals. Carpal tunnel syndrome may be one of the diagnoses of the study, and then proper peripheral neuropathy treatment can be planned.

Because one of the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy is numbness, that can lead to other problems within the affected area. For example, a person who has lost sensation may not feel when the affected area is cut or burned or harmed in any other way. Then infection can set in. Usually, with the nerve damage, the healing process may be more difficult, so an infection can be very dangerous. Some peripheral neuropathy treatment is taking pain medications, anti-seizure medications, a lidocaine patch, and antidepressants. Pain medications are just to relieve pain in the damaged area. Anti-seizure drugs may also alleviate the pain. A lidocaine patch helps with the soreness without giving any side effects that drugs may cause, and since this is a topical medication, is easy to administer. Antidepressant drugs interfere with the chemical processes in the brain and spinal cord, and in that way, also act as pain relievers.

Ecclesiastes 3:3 is a familiar verse that says, "There is a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up." As protectors of our own bodies, when we experiences symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, we must address the source. Part of that care is to prevent any damage that we can. This means dealing with the disease that caused it. For example, if the source is diabetes, it is essential to follow the diabetic diet to lessen any damage that may be done to the nerves. Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels will also help. A person should immediately stop smoking. Eating a healthy diet with plenty of vitamins is essential as is getting the proper exercise. If nerves have already been damaged, a medical professional can advise of the appropriate exercise regime. Massaging the areas that are affected is important as well as being careful not to put pressure on the affected parts of the body. For many, that means taking special care of the feet and avoiding crossing legs to avoid poor circulation.


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