You’re probably familiar with the sensation: tingling or burning in your feet or hands. You might notice that your feet are cold, even in the summer. Or perhaps you feel your hands weaken when you try to button a shirt. These neuropathy symptoms are frustrating and may have you wondering if there is a way to reverse the condition.
Florida Medical Pain Management provides information to patients about neuropathy and how it can be treated (and possibly reversed).
What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy is nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system. Our nervous system is responsible for transmitting all types of information to the rest of our body from our spinal cords and brains. Damage to our nerves can cause pain, numbness, and weakness.
Symptoms can include:
– Burning or shooting pain in the extremities
– Pain when something brushes against your skin, like covering your feet with a blanket
– Tingling, pins, and needles, or limb falling asleep sensation without reason
– Numbness or coldness in the hands or feet
– Feeling unsteady and uncoordinated
– Muscle twitches
You may also experience problems with certain bodily functions, such as excessive sweating or lack of sweating, dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing up, heart palpitations, sudden changes in heart rate, loss of bladder control, and digestive problems including nausea/vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and difficulty swallowing.
Florida Medical Pain Management recommends consulting a physician immediately if you notice new symptoms or if your pain is getting worse. They can help prevent further nerve damage.
Causes of Neuropathy
Nerve damage can be caused by various factors. Neuropathy can develop slowly in some patients with chronic diseases, while others may experience it after an accident or injury.
The causes of neuropathy include, but are not limited to:
– Diabetes
– Injuries
– Viral or bacterial infections
– Tumors causing nerve pressure
– Autoimmune disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
– Hereditary diseases
– Vitamin deficiencies
– Certain drugs or treatments, such as chemotherapy
When doctors cannot determine the exact cause, they refer to it as idiopathic neuropathy.
A neurologist can diagnose your symptoms if you are unsure of the cause. They will ask about your medical and family history, as well as your lifestyle, and may order tests or perform examinations to check for underlying conditions.
Speak to a neurologist. Do not ignore your symptoms anymore. Florida Medical Pain Management’s neurologists can treat conditions ranging from neuropathy, Parkinson’s, and strokes to headaches.
Can neuropathy be reversed?
Whether neuropathy can be reversed depends on the cause of nerve damage. In some cases, the pain can disappear completely, but in others, the nerve damage may be permanent.
For instance, if neuropathy is caused by an infection, the symptoms may disappear once the infection is treated. Similarly, removing a tumor that is pressing on a nerve can relieve pain.
However, diabetic neuropathy can cause permanent nerve damage in some patients, especially if left untreated. Nonetheless, there is still hope as the right combination of treatment and lifestyle changes can greatly improve symptoms for people with diabetes.
Treatments for Neuropathy
The appropriate treatment for neuropathy depends on your symptoms and the underlying cause of the pain. You may need to try different treatments to find what works best for you.
Patients with diabetic neuropathic pain often find relief by combining medication with dietary modifications to manage their diabetes.
Common treatments include:
– Medication: Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat your symptoms or relieve pain, which is often most effective when combined with other treatments.
– Physical Therapy: In some cases, physical therapy can help.
A medical professional wrote this article at Florida Medical Pain Management. As the leading pain relief center St Pete, we are proud to offer comprehensive pain management services to a diverse group of patients. Patients at Florida Medical Pain Management can get help managing hip, knee, leg, and neck pain. The practice also offers comprehensive arthritis management, along with treatments for auto accidents, sports, and work injuries.