Healthbeauty123.com – While a doctor may initially recommend medication, peripheral neuropathy usually has a long list of lifestyle changes that can be made to minimize symptoms. Lifestyle changes include giving up smoking, avoiding physical injury, and following strict wound and foot care guidelines. Additionally, a prescription hand brace or orthotics may help with walking, balancing, or other symptoms that are common in peripheral neuropathy. Other helpful treatments include practicing relaxation techniques and implementing changes in the way you live.
Diabetes is a Common Cause of Peripheral Neuropathy
The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy in America is diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes can damage peripheral nerves. Other causes include family history of neurological diseases, high blood pressure, medications, and infections. A patient with peripheral neuropathy is also at risk for Charcot foot, which is caused by an infection or burn. To prevent the development of Charcot foot, patients with peripheral neuropathy should seek medical care from a board-certified podiatrist.
A person suffering from peripheral neuropathy may have difficulty standing for long periods of time, walking without assistance, and experiencing increased sensitivity to heat or cold. In some cases, the symptoms may occur in response to a specific activity, such as eating or touching cold objects. Even everyday tasks, such as bathing or putting on socks, can become difficult, or even impossible, as the peripheral nervous system is weakened.
Some types of neuropathy are hereditary and are passed down genetically from parent to child. Hereditary neuropathies are rare, and usually begin in childhood. Hereditary neuropathies often cause significant disabilities but may result in minimal or no disability. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is the most common inherited form. It typically manifests as a weakness in the legs, arms, or other extremities. It usually manifests during mid-childhood.
Symptoms of Neuropathy with Varied Treatment
In stage three, a patient may experience intense pain and numbness. Their symptoms may not be severe enough to warrant medical attention, but if they continue to worsen, they should seek medical treatment. If the symptoms persist, surgery may be necessary. Decompression surgery may be needed to correct the underlying cause. For patients with stage three, medication will not be enough. A doctor may prescribe medications to alleviate symptoms, which can include pain medication.
There are several types of peripheral neuropathy. In peripheral neuropathy, the nerves that control muscle movement are damaged. In some cases, these nerves also control autonomic functions such as sweating and heartbeat. In severe cases, neuropathy will affect the nerves and endocrine system, which governs basic physiological states. This is the most common form of neuropathy. Approximately fifteen million people in the U.S. and Europe suffer from painful peripheral neuropathy.
Neuropathy Peripheral Nerves leg pain may be caused by compression, inflammation, or degeneration of peripheral nerves. It may also result from associated conditions like nutritional deficiency or diabetes. A patient may experience pain, which may be electric-like, or produce the sensation of hot water running down the leg. Some people experience a dull ache. If you feel pain, contact a doctor for further evaluation.
Characteristics of Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy
Damage to peripheral nerves affects all aspects of a person’s life. In addition to pain, patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy may experience loss of bowel or bladder function, difficulty urinating, or affecting their digestion. These symptoms may also affect the muscles and the functions of the limbs. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy vary widely, and may be particularly severe at night. The doctor should determine the exact cause of the disease.
A doctor may suggest the following tests to determine if peripheral nerves in the leg are causing your pain. Electromyography involves inserting fine needles into specific muscles. The electrical activity recorded during contraction is monitored to detect abnormalities. Electromyography may also help differentiate between muscle disorders and motor neuropathy. A diagnostic procedure called a nerve biopsy involves removing a small section of a sensory nerve from the leg. Although a nerve biopsy can give detailed information on the condition’s causes, it may cause further damage. Further, it can result in permanent sensory loss.
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