Peripheral Neuropathy – Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Peripheral Neuropathy – Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Peripheral neuropathy develops when nerves in the extremities such as the hands, feet and arms are damaged. The signs and symptoms depend on which nerves are affected.

Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder caused by damage to the peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerves are nerves which send sensory information from the central nervous system back to the brain and the spinal cord to the rest of the body. They also carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles to generate movement. Any damage to the peripheral nervous system interferes with these vital connections. Reports suggest that about 20 million people in the United States suffer from this chronic nerve disorder. Established pain management centers in Brooklyn, NYC offers effective treatment for the condition, helping patients better manage pain and improve quality of life.

What are the symptoms of peripheral nerve damage?

Peripheral nerve damage is a common complication of diabetes as well as conditions such as autoimmune disorders, infections, tumors, metabolic problems, bone marrow disorders, exposure to poisons or toxins, alcoholism, vitamin deficiencies and other inherited disorders.

There are three types of peripheral nerves Sensory nerves - which connect to the skin Motor nerves - which connect to the muscles Autonomic nerves - which connect to the internal organs As each nerve in the peripheral system has a specific function and symptoms would depend on the type of nerves affected. The common signs and symptoms of this nerve disorder include – 

Gradual onset of numbness, prickling or tingling in the feet or hands, which can spread upward into the legs and arms

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Burning, stabbing or shooting pain in affected areas, which may be worse at night

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Extreme sensitivity to touch

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Loss of balance and coordination

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Muscle weakness or paralysis, especially in the feet

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Thinning of the skin

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Excessive sweating

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Digestive difficulty

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Loss of ability to detect changes in heat and cold

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These symptoms are generally constant, but may come and go.

Diagnosis and Treatment Initial diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy will begin with a detailed physical and neurological examination and review of medical history, including symptoms, lifestyle habits, exposure to toxins, drinking habits and a family history of neurological diseases. Diagnostic tests such as blood tests, imaging tests like MRI scan and CT scan, nerve biopsy, electromyography, skin biopsy and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests may be conducted to detect the root cause of the condition.

In Brooklyn multispecialty healthcare centers, a team of neurologists, physical therapists, pain management specialists and chiropractors will work together to diagnose and treat the condition, and help patients improve functional ability. Based on patient needs, treatment programs may involve a combination of noninvasive modalities such as chiropractic care, physical therapy procedures, pain medications and electrical nerve simulations.  Chiropractic care – Administered by trained chiropractors, this therapy involves spinal manipulation and realignment techniques to treat the underlying causes of neuropathy, relieve pain, improve function, and promote natural healing.

 Physical therapy–Physical therapy exercise programs help patients regain mobility, manage pain and improve strength. Programs include therapeutic exercises such as gentle strengthening, stretching, aerobic and isometric exercises.

 Pain relievers – Over-the-counter pain medications such as non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), anti-seizure medications (such as gabapentin and pregabalin) and certain tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline, doxepin and nortriptyline)can help relieve mild pain symptoms associated with this nerve condition.

 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) - TENS unit uses low voltage electric simulation on the affected area, which interacts with the sensory nervous system to block or reduce muscle stiffness and pain.

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Managing Peripheral Neuropathy If you have some form of peripheral neuropathy, there are many things you can do to prevent it from getting worse. If diabetes or is the reason for the disorder, it would be necessary to manage that first.

A healthy lifestyle could help prevent peripheral neuropathy. The risk of developing the condition can be reduced by avoiding alcohol, eating a healthy vitamin-rich diet, losing weight, and exercising regularly. People with kidney disease, diabetes, or other chronic health conditions would need to get medical treatment to control their condition, which could help prevent or delay the onset of peripheral neuropathy.

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