Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Our body’s nervous system is divided into two categories – the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system comprises the brain and the spinal cord, whereas, the peripheral nervous system are the nerves that branch out from the central nervous system to other body parts. When any degeneration or damage takes place to these peripheral nerves, the disorder is called Peripheral Neuropathy.
It usually starts at the extremities of our body like hands and feet but can affect other parts too. Neuropathy does not happen suddenly but commences slowly taking months and even years to show symptoms.

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a frequently observable disorder and affects nearly 30% of Americans. There are various causes that can trigger nerve damage in the peripheral nerves.

Diabetes: Persistent levels of high blood sugar can degenerate the nerves present in our body.

Trauma from accidents: Injuries due to accidents or falls can result in neuropathy.

Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and Sjogren's syndrome can trigger pain in the peripheral nerves.

Cancerous Tumors: Tumor development can trigger pain as they might put pressure on a nerve. The body also responds to these tumors secreting certain chemicals that trigger autoimmune responses.

Alcohol and Drugs: Prolonged consumption of alcohol is known to affect the nerves. Sometimes, side-effects of medication drugs might trigger neuropathy.

Other Issues: Disorders of the liver, kidneys, hypothyroidism, obesity, and even vitamin deficiencies can trigger neuropathy.

Occupational Hazards: Some occupations might make a person work with toxic chemicals or trauma causing physical activities triggering neuropathic pain.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral Neuropathy can be identified from the below symptoms:

Numbness and a tingling sensation in your extremities like hands and feet.
Pain that is throbbing and severe.
Weakness in the muscles & coordination issues. Patients might drop objects from their hands or fall themselves.
Muscle cramps and spasms.
Irritable bowel syndrome or urinary bladder issues.
Negative impact on sexual functions.
Sensitivity to touch and temperature.
Blood pressure related issues, abnormal heart rate, and excessive sweating.

Diagnosis and Treatment at Dunes Pain

At Dunes Pain Clinic, our medical experts conduct multiple examinations, tests, and imaging scans to accurately diagnose the condition. Your physician will physically examine you and enquire about your medical history. Neurologic tests like nerve and muscle reflexes, sensitivity to touch/temperature, and body coordination checks might be performed. Imaging tests like MRI, CT-Scans, and X-Rays can be done to get a detailed report of the body.

Treatment commences once the root cause of the neuropathy pain is found. Our specialists might go for invasive or non-invasive medical therapies. These therapies can be performed in parallel with other conservative (physical therapy and massages) and alternative treatment methods (acupuncture and acupressure).

For relieving pain, medication like over-the-counter drugs (ibuprofen and aspirin), muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-depressants might be administered. If at all the pain does not subside then minimally invasive surgical procedures like epidural steroid injections, sympathetic blocks, peripheral nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation might be performed.

Call us to get a detailed consultation!