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It is estimated that over 20 million Americans suffer from some form of peripheral neuropathy, a group of conditions which cause pain or discomfort as the result of nerve damage outside the central nervous system. However, those who specialize in treating such conditions believe these estimates may be low, since the wide range of symptoms common to neuropathy often cause it to be misdiagnosed. Also, many of those suffering from neuropathy are never tested for it.

Over 100 different forms of neuropathy are recognized by the medical community, and these each present their own set of symptoms, depending on, among other things, which type of nerve is affected by the disease. Peripheral neuropathy, typically found in the hands or feet, is the result of damage to these peripheral nerves, which are responsible for relaying signals from the brain and spinal cord, otherwise known as the central nervous system, to other parts of the body.

This damage disrupts the signals traveling between the central nervous system and the affected part of the body, either by blocking the signal as it travels along the peripheral nerves so that no signal is received, distorting the signal so the signal received by the brain is not the same as the signal sent from the affected area of the body, or by sending a phantom signal to the brain when none was sent by the affected part of the body.

While neuropathy symptoms are most common in the feet and hands, they can affect other parts of the body, including the back, thighs and even the face. Symptoms may be mild but can sometimes be debilitating, and they can include sensations of burning or tingling, such as the pins-and-needles feeling associated with a limb that has fallen asleep.

In some cases, symptoms can also cause cramping or muscle weakness, which can cause problems with balance, muscle coordination and walking. Loss of sensation in the fingers and hands can also make it difficult to pick up and hold onto objects. Many neuropathy sufferers also experience trouble sleeping.

The nerve damage which leads to peripheral neuropathy can have a number of causes. Injuries to the hands, arms, legs or feet can lead to neuropathy in those extremities later in life. Some infections, autoimmune diseases, or exposure to toxins can also damage nerves. Cancers or benign tumors can put pressure on nerves, disrupting the signals that flow along those nerves, and some people taking certain kinds of chemotherapy have also reported neuropathy symptoms.

Diabetes is a common cause of neuropathy. In fact, nearly 70 percent of the diabetics in the United States have some form of nerve damage which can result in neuropathy symptoms. Shingles can be another cause of neuropathy pain. About one in five shingles patients will continue to experience pain even after their rash is gone. This condition is known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and it can last for years after the shingles virus is gone.

While there is no known cure for neuropathy at this time, a number of treatments are available with can reduce the discomfort and physical limitations of the disease. Many medications such as antidepressants or pain medications can be prescribed to help the brain block the pain signals it is receiving. Lidocaine creams can also be applied topically to ease pain in localized areas.

Surgery is sometimes a treatment option to remove pressure on nerves caused by tumors or infections. Surgery to treat pinched nerves in the neck and back can allow damaged nerve tissue to heal. However, surgery to sever nerves sending unwanted signals to the brain is rarely effective since it often leads to greater damage to the nerve, which continues to send pain signals to the brain.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can be a more effective way of treating the pain caused by damaged nerves. TENS is a noninvasive technique in which small electrical currents are passed through the affected part of the body through electrodes attached to the skin. While studies are still being conducted, some research has shown that TENS can help lessen the severity of neuropathy symptoms caused by diabetes.

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There are treatment options for neuropathy | News, Sports, Jobs - SalemNews.net

This entry was posted on March 3, 2021 at 12:45 am and is filed under Neuropathy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |