Neuropathy Q & A
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
The peripheral nerves are those that extend outward from your spinal cord. Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that develops as the result of nerve damage to your peripheral nerves. The symptoms usually develop in your hands and feet, but can advance to your arms and legs as well. The nerve damage affects the signals sent to your brain and you can experience pain, numbness and discomfort. Patients report this pain and numbness can be intolerable at times.
What are the Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy can affect large fiber nerves and small fiber nerves. Motor nerves control muscle movement. Sensory nerves receive sensations, like feeling the temperature or a vibration on your skin. Peripheral neuropathy can affect each of these systems, depending on the severity of your condition.
Symptoms may include:
- Numbness in your hands or feet
- Tingling or prickling sensations in your hands or feet
- Sharp or electrical pains
- Inability to differentiate hot from cold
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty walking or lack of coordination leading to falls
- Feet or hands becoming sensitive to the touch
What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?
Nerve damage can result from a variety of conditions or illnesses including:
- Diabetes
- Toxins such as Agent Orange or Chemotherapy
- Classes of medication including cholesterol lowering statin drugs
- Alcohol abuse
- Infections
- Trauma
- Surgical error
How is Peripheral Neuropathy Treated?
Managing symptoms through medication is the only treatment offered by most doctors. Unfortunately, this treatment option does not resolve the underlying reasons for neuropathy nor does it seek to restore nerve function. Further, many of the medications used to treat neuropathy slow down brain function and can speed up or lead to dementia.
Our team of medical providers at Regen Revolution take an innovative and comprehensive approach to treating both your symptoms and the underlying causes of your neuropathy. A thorough health history and ample diagnostic testing help us determine underlying causes for neuropathic conditions. Then, a customized treatment plan is created which includes a combination of treatment modalities to reverse nerve
damage and restore nerve function.
If you’re tired of living with the painful symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, let the experts at Regen Revolution help you get relief that works and help to create a healthier you. Call or schedule an appointment online today.
