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What to eat to help neuropathy symptoms  WOODTV.com

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What to eat to help neuropathy symptoms - WOODTV.com

Neuropathy treatments vary widely based on type, cause, and symptoms. Treating contributing conditions is crucial to reducing neuropathy symptoms and possibly reversing nerve damage. Duke offers the full range of therapies, from traditional treatments to breakthrough options.

Pain ManagementOur neurologists are experienced in treating neuropathic pain and partner with pain medicine specialists to reduce or eliminate debilitating pain caused by neuropathy. From medications to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy, we have an array of options so we can find what works best for you.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulators and Spinal Cord StimulatorsNew surgically placed devices like peripheral nerve stimulators and spinal cord stimulators use electricity to relieve certain types of chronic pain. Spinal cord stimulators are FDA approved to treat diabetic neuropathy symptoms. Research shows they can help reduce pain and improve function.

SteroidsOral or intravenous steroids treat neuropathies caused or worsened by inflammation.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)This IV medication can reverse nerve damage caused by autoimmune neuropathies like GBS and CIDP.

Amyloid-Reducing MedicationsThese medicines can stall or reverse symptoms of amyloidosis neuropathy by slowing down the production of defective proteins called amyloid that can cause neuropathy.

Antibody TherapyThis infusion medication is administered every four to six months to help stabilize or reverse neuropathic nerve damage caused by vasculitis or inflammation.

Plasma Exchange TherapyAlso called PLEX or plasmapheresis, this can treat neuropathies caused by inflammation and autoimmune disorders. Through a central line in your upper chest or an IV in your arm, a special machine withdraws your blood, removes cells that cause inflammation and destructive antibodies, and then returns the blood along with extra fluid. Duke is one of only a handful of centers in North Carolina that offers plasma exchange therapy.

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Neuropathy | Duke Health

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a type of damage to the nervous system. Specifically, it's a problem with your peripheral nervous system. This is the network of nerves that sends information from your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) to the rest of your body. Peripheral nerves are the nerves that exit the spinal canal or skull and go to your face, trunk, or arms and legs.

There are more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy. Each has its own set of symptoms and prognosis. To help healthcare providers classify them, they are often broken down into these categories:

Peripheral neuropathy has many different causes. Some people inherit the disorder from their parents. Others develop it because of an injury or another disorder.

In many cases, a different type of problem, such as a kidney condition or a hormone imbalance, leads to peripheral neuropathy. One of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy in the U.S. is diabetes. Nerves can also be damaged from:

These are risk factors for peripheral neuropathy:

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy vary based on the type that you have and what part of the body is affected. Symptoms can range from tingling or numbness in a certain body part to more serious effects such as burning pain or paralysis. They may include:

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

The symptoms and body parts affected by peripheral neuropathy are so varied that it may be hard to make a diagnosis. If your healthcare provider suspects nerve damage, they will ask about your medical history and do a number of neurological tests. These can help determine the location and extent of your nerve damage. Thesemay include:

Depending on what basic tests reveal, your healthcare provider may want to do more in-depth scanning. You may need other tests to get a better look at your nerve damage, such as:

Often peripheral neuropathy cant be cured. But you can do a lot of things to prevent it from getting worse. If an underlying condition like diabetes is at fault, your healthcare provider will treat that first. They will then treat the pain and other symptoms of neuropathy.

In some cases, over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Other times, prescription medicines are needed. Some of these medicines are:

Lidocaine injections and patches may help with pain in other cases. And in extreme cases, surgery can be used to destroy nerves or fix injuries that are causing neuropathic pain and symptoms.

Physical therapy can treat weakness and muscle loss. It can also treat problems with balance. Some people may need splints or braces to help them walk.

Lifestyle choices can play a role in preventing peripheral neuropathy. You can lessen your risk for many of these conditions by:

Even if you already have some form of peripheral neuropathy, healthy lifestyle steps can help you feel your best. They can also reduce the pain and symptoms related to the disorder. Youll also want to quit smoking. And don't let injuries go untreated.

Be meticulous about caring for your feet and treating wounds to avoid complications, such as the loss of a limb. Check your feet for red areas every day. Use a mirror to check between your toes and the bottoms of your feet. Contact your provider if you have an open sore.

In some cases, hand and foot braces can help you make up for muscle weakness. Orthotics can help you walk better. Relaxation techniques, such as yoga, may help ease emotional as well as physical symptoms.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

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Peripheral Neuropathy | University Hospitals

What are cranial neuropathies?

Nerves power your entire body. But those nerves can be damaged by injury or an illness such as diabetes. Neuropathy is a disorder caused by nerve damage. It affects your ability to feel and move. Exactly how your body and your movement are affected depends on where in the body the damaged nerves are located. When nerves in the brain or brainstem are affected, it is called cranial neuropathy.

The cranial nerves are those that arise directly from your brain or brainstem. They often affect areas like the face and eyes. Some of the different types of cranial neuropathies are:

If several different cranial nerves are affected, it is called multiple cranial neuropathies (MCN).

Cranial neuropathy can develop for many different reasons. These include:

Different types of neuropathies can cause different symptoms. They are based on which nerves are damaged and where they are located. Generally, neuropathies can cause:

Some of the symptoms of different types of cranial neuropathies include:

A healthcare provider will often do a variety of tests to diagnose neuropathy. Depending on the type of cranial neuropathy your healthcare provider suspects, you may need:

A cranial neuropathy could be the sign of a life-threatening emergency. It should be assessed by a healthcare provider right away. Many types of cranial neuropathies will get better with time, without any treatment. Sometimes medicines can be used to treat an infection, help reduce swelling in or near a nerve, or help if the neuropathy is causing pain. For some types of neuropathies and in some cases, surgery may help. Other times, the nerve damage can't be treated or fixed.

But it's important to diagnose and treat any health conditions that are causing the neuropathy. Treating common causes like high blood pressure, infections, and diabetes can help to treat the neuropathy. Eating nutritious foods, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol can also help manage neuropathy.

Cranial neuropathy can't always be prevented. But controlling common causes can help to reduce the risk of developing neuropathy. You can:

Cranial neuropathies are often not dangerous. They may get better on their own with time. But they can certainly be bothersome for the people who have them.

Your best strategy for managing a cranial neuropathy is to manage possible causes. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and brain tumors. You should also prevent head injury.

If the symptoms do not go away on their own, your healthcare team might recommend physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other options to help with them. Talk with your healthcare provider about other possible options, such as surgery, if a cranial neuropathy is affecting your quality of life.

If you have been diagnosed with a cranial neuropathy, talk with your healthcare providers about when you might need to call them. They will likely advise you to call if your symptoms get worse or if you develop new symptoms such as pain, numbness, weakness, or changes in vision.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

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Cranial Neuropathies | University Hospitals

Treating Neuropathy, Nerve Injuries and other Conditions

We treat more than 100 different nerve conditions and injuries. Categories of peripheral nerve disorders we treat include:

Our surgeons have extensive training and experience in a wide range of surgical techniques that can relieve pain and restore function in patients with peripheral neuropathy and other nerve disorders. Our team is on the leading-edge of surgical management of nerve disorders and injuries, offering innovative procedures that utilize the latest technology and approaches. Procedures we perform include:

Surgical management of traumatic neuroma: A neuroma is a disorganized growth of nerve cells at the site of a nerve injury. During surgery, the neuroma is excised, and the nerve is placed in an area where it will not receive frequent direct contact, leading to a decrease in pain.

Peripheral nerve stimulation: In this procedure, a small electrical device, or electrode, is implanted near a damaged nerve. The electrode delivers rapid electrical pulses that can help alleviate pain. Patients are able to manage the intensity of the stimulus and the sensations they feel though a controller.

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Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy & Other Nerve Damage | University ...

The neurology team at University Hospitals offers innovations in testing, diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular diseases all in a collaborative setting to ensure our patients maintain a high quality of life.

The keys to managing a neuromuscular disorder is early detection and focused treatment. If you or your doctor suspect you have a neuromuscular issue, it is important to see a specialist as soon as possible.

For certain diseases, such as myasthenia gravis, if care is delayed, the disease can become more resistant to drug therapy, making it harder to treat. For conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which currently has no known cure, early detection allows us to better manage ALS symptoms, extending your quality of life for as long as possible.

Our neurology team is leading research efforts with several clinical trials and pioneering nationally-funded laboratory research. Several of our experts have written comprehensive textbooks that serve as definitive resources for the treatment of neuromuscular conditions.

We also use the latest technology to diagnose and guide treatment. For example, UH has one of the few neuromuscular ultrasounds in the country allowing us to respond to neuromuscular disorders faster and more effectively. In addition, our use of electromyography (EMG) has dramatically changed the way we address disorders like entrapment neuropathy.

Our team treats a wide range of neuromuscular conditions, including:

With extensive experience and expertise in ALS treatment, University Hospitals is one of only a few facilities in the country with an ALS Clinic sponsored in part by the ALS Foundation. Through this important collaboration, we have access to groundbreaking research and technology. Our ALS dedicated team includes:

With a focus on discovering new therapies, our researchers developed a special breathing device that allows ALS patients to breathe on their own, helping them better participate in a daily routine and prolonging their quality of life. Our ALS Programbrings together specialists from the Neuromuscular Center, rehabilitative services, surgery and pulmonary medicine to deliver the best possible outcomes.

We also have a Muscular Disease Clinicthat is focused on the diagnosis and treatment of several inherited muscular disorders, including muscular dystrophy and inherited neuropathy.

In addition, our Myasthenia Gravis Programtreats patients with immunosuppressive drugs, plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin.

For more information about our specialized services for neuromuscular diseases, content one of our team members at any of our convenient locationsacross the region.

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Neuromuscular Disease | Facts About Neuromuscular Disorders, Symptoms ...

Patrick McIntyre, MD, JD, is an interventional pain management specialist who is board certified in both interventional pain management and anesthesiology. Dr. McIntyre specializes in neck, lower back, muscular and chronic joint pain, as well as all types of neuropathic pain, including complex regional pain syndrome, painful diabetic neuropathy and idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.

Dr. McIntyre completed his residency in anesthesiology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio and his interventional pain management fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Subsequently, he earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law prior to starting medical school at the Medical College of Ohio, now known as the University of Toledo, where he graduated in 2001.

Dr. McIntyre loves his profession. He has a passion for treating chronic pain, with the ultimate goal of helping to restore a patients ability to function. Dr. McIntyre has participated in various research projects aimed at the advancement of the field of interventional pain management. He is proud to have taught many residents and fellows who have developed successful interventional pain management practices all over the country.

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Patrick McIntyre MD, JD Doctor Profile & Reviews | University Hospitals

OverviewPeripheral neuropathy can affect nerves anywhere in your body. It can disrupt your bodys control of automatic processes, as well as your sense of touch and muscle control.What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is an umbrella term for nerve diseases that affect a specific subdivision of your nervous system. Many different conditions can cause peripheral neuropathy, which means a wide range of symptoms is also possible. Peripheral neuropathy can also affect different body parts, depending on how and why it happens.

The term peripheral is from the Greek word that means around. Peripheral in this context means outside of or away from the central nervous system. The term neuropathy combines two words that trace their origins back to ancient Greek:

Your nervous system has two parts, the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Your brain and spinal cord are the two components that make up your central nervous system. Your peripheral nervous system consists of all the other nerves in your body. It also includes nerves that travel from your spinal cord and brain to supply your face and the rest of your body.

Peripheral neuropathy can refer to any condition affecting your peripheral nerves. Healthcare providers often use the terms neuropathy and polyneuropathy (meaning disease of many nerves) interchangeably with peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral nerves are farthest from the central nervous system, and they often show the earliest and most severe effects of these conditions

Peripheral neuropathy can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex, race or ethnicity, personal circumstances, medical history, etc. However, some people are at greater risk for specific types of peripheral neuropathy (see below under Causes and Symptoms for more about this).

Peripheral neuropathy is also very common with some age-related diseases. That means the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy increases as you get older.

Peripheral neuropathy is common, partly because this term refers to so many conditions. About 2.4% of people globally have a form of peripheral neuropathy. Among people 45 and older, that percentage rises to between 5% and 7%.

To understand how peripheral neuropathy affects your body, it helps to know a little about the structure of neurons, a key type of cell that makes up your nerves. Neurons send and relay signals through your nervous system using electrical and chemical signals. Each neuron consists of the following:

Peripheral neuropathy happens in two main ways:

How peripheral neuropathy develops, particularly the timeline of its progress, depends very much on what causes it. Injuries can cause it to develop instantaneously or within minutes or hours. Some toxic and inflammation-based forms of peripheral neuropathy may develop rapidly over days or weeks, while most other conditions take months, years or even decades to develop.

There are many different symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. This condition can affect a single nerve, a connected group of related nerves, or many nerves in multiple places throughout your body. The symptoms also depend on the type of nerve signals affected, and multiple signal types may be involved.

The symptom types (with more about them below) are:

Your peripheral nervous system carries motor signals, which are commands sent from your brain to your muscles. These signals are what make it possible for you to move around. Your muscles need nerve connections to the brain to stay healthy and work properly.

Motor symptoms include:

Your peripheral nerves convert information about the outside world into nerve signals. Those signals then travel to your brain, which processes those signals into what you can sense of the world around you. Peripheral neuropathy can disrupt what your senses pick up from the outside world or the ability of those senses to communicate with your brain.

The sensory symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:

Your body has several autonomic processes. These are the automatic functions of your body that happen without your thinking or even being aware of them. They include things like sweating, digestion, blood pressure control, etc. Autonomic nerve fibers carry autonomic signals. Disruptions in autonomic signals mean your bodys automatic processes cant work correctly. Some may work off and on, while others may not work at all.

Autonomic symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can include:

Peripheral neuropathy can happen for many reasons. These include:

Peripheral neuropathy isnt contagious. While it can happen because of infectious diseases, this condition doesnt spread from person to person on its own. The only exception is Hansen disease, which can spread from person to person but doesnt spread easily.

Diagnosing peripheral neuropathy usually involves a combination of methods. These include:

The most common types of tests for peripheral neuropathy (either to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions) include:

The treatment for peripheral neuropathy can vary widely depending on its cause. Other factors can also affect treatment, including your medical history, personal preferences and more. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you more about the treatment(s) they recommend and the likely recovery timeline. In general, the following treatment methods are more common for peripheral neuropathy:

The possible side effects and complications of treatments for peripheral neuropathy depend on many factors. These include the specific cause of the neuropathy, other conditions you have, the specific treatments you receive and more. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you more about the possible side effects and complications you might experience.

Peripheral neuropathy is a sign of a problem with the nerve signals traveling between parts of your body and your brain. While this can happen for minor reasons that arent serious, it can also happen because of severe or dangerous conditions. Its also sometimes possible to stop or reverse certain types of neuropathies if treatment begins quickly enough. Because of these factors, you shouldnt try to self-diagnose and self-treat it. A healthcare provider is the best person to guide you in managing this condition.

Some of the possible causes of peripheral neuropathy are preventable. You can also lower your chances of developing it by preventing or delaying certain conditions. In general, the best preventive or precautionary steps you can take include:

The effects of peripheral neuropathy depend on the cause, the nerves it affects, your medical history, treatments you receive and more. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you more about what you can expect in your case.

Peripheral neuropathy can be a temporary concern, or it can be permanent. How long it lasts depends on what caused it, the extent of the damage if any that it caused, the treatments and more.

Peripheral neuropathy is most likely to be permanent with chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases and genetic conditions. However, this can still vary, so its best to ask your healthcare provider about whats most likely in your case.

Peripheral neuropathy is usually not dangerous, but it can have very disruptive effects on your life. These effects are usually not as severe when it only affects one nerve or a limited group of nerves. The more nerves it affects, the greater the potential impact.

The outlook also depends partly on your symptoms. Pain from peripheral neuropathy is usually the most disruptive symptom, but medications or other treatments may help. Autonomic symptoms are among the most serious because they involve your bodys vital functions. When those dont work correctly, it can have very severe and sometimes dangerous effects.

Motor and sensory symptoms can also greatly disrupt your ability to work and go about your daily activities. They can cause problems sometimes severe with mobility, balance and coordination. Sensory symptoms are also disruptive, especially when they involve pain or affect your ability to control what you do with the affected body part(s).

Lastly, treatments can make a big difference in outlook. Some treatments can greatly reduce or even stop symptoms, but this varies. Your healthcare provider is the best source of information on the outlook for your case and what you can do to help.

If you have peripheral neuropathy, its important to follow your healthcare providers guidance. That includes seeing them as recommended, taking medications or treatments as prescribed and modifying your life to protect yourself and manage your symptoms. The actions you can take also vary widely depending on many factors, and what helps one person may not be as effective for another.

If you have symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, you should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. In some cases, peripheral neuropathy symptoms start before the condition causes permanent changes or damage, so it may be possible to limit the effects or even reverse them.

If you receive a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, you should see your healthcare provider as recommended or if you notice changes in your symptoms. You should also talk to them if you experience side effects from any treatments. Talking to your healthcare provider can be especially helpful when you have symptom changes or side effects that affect your usual routine and activities. Your provider may be able to modify your treatment or find ways to adapt to these changes and limit their effects.

In general, peripheral neuropathy isnt likely to cause life-threatening complications or symptoms. However, there are a few conditions that fall under peripheral neuropathy that are severe and need immediate medical attention.

There are also conditions that share symptoms with peripheral neuropathy. You should go to the ER if you have symptoms of certain conditions that can be especially dangerous, such as:

You should also go to the ER if you have autonomic symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, such as:

Peripheral neuropathy may be reversible in some cases, but many factors influence whether or not this is possible. Because there are so many factors involved, your healthcare provider should be the one to answer this question for you. The information they provide will be the most accurate and relevant for your specific case and circumstances.

Fatigue is a symptom that can happen with conditions that can cause peripheral neuropathy. It can also happen due to living with severe or long-term pain due to peripheral neuropathy, or because of autonomic problems from peripheral neuropathy. However, it isnt a direct symptom of peripheral neuropathy itself.

Peripheral neuropathy can be serious, but there are many reasons why it might not be. Whether or not its serious depends on many factors, including the symptoms it causes, how severely it affects nerves and more. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you about the seriousness of your case and what that means for you.

Peripheral neuropathy isnt something you can self-diagnose. A qualified and trained healthcare provider can diagnose it, but the diagnosis process almost always involves some form of diagnostic, imaging or laboratory testing. You may suspect you have peripheral neuropathy based on the symptoms you experience, but you should see a healthcare provider to be sure.

Theres no one common treatment for peripheral neuropathy. The treatments depend on whats causing it and the symptoms you experience. Some causes of peripheral neuropathy are directly treatable. For others, treating and minimizing the symptoms and their effects is the best approach.

Yes, peripheral neuropathy can sometimes go away, but this isnt universal. Many factors can influence how long peripheral neuropathy lasts. The condition that causes peripheral neuropathy is a major factor in whether or not it will go away, as are the treatments you receive. Its also important to remember that what works for one person may not work for another, because peripheral neuropathy can happen very differently from person to person.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Peripheral neuropathy is an umbrella term for any condition, disease or disorder that affects your peripheral nerves, which are all the nerves outside of your spinal cord and brain. There are many different ways that peripheral neuropathy can happen, so this condition is common.

For some people, peripheral neuropathy is temporary, treatable or both. For others, its permanent and incurable. Thanks to advances in medical science and technology, many symptoms or forms of peripheral neuropathy are now treatable. That offers many people a chance to manage this condition, meaning they can live longer and with fewer restrictions or impacts from the related conditions and symptoms.

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Peripheral Neuropathy: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy refers to the many conditions that involve damage to the peripheral nervous system, which is a vast communications network that sends signals between the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and all other parts of the body.

Peripheral nerves send many types of sensory information to the central nervous system (CNS), such as the message that your feet are cold. They also carry signals from the CNS to the rest of the body. Best known are the signals to the muscles that tell them to contract, which is how we move, but there are different types of signals that help control everything from our heart and blood vessels, digestion, urination and sexual function to our bones and immune system.

More than 20 million people in the U.S. are estimated to have some form of peripheral neuropathy, but this figure may be significantly higher as not all people with symptoms of neuropathy are tested for the disease and tests currently do not look for all forms of neuropathy.

Nerve signal interruption

The peripheral nerves are like cables that connect different parts of a computer or connect to the Internet. When they malfunction, complex functions can grind to a halt.

Nerve signaling in neuropathy is disrupted in three ways:

Some forms of neuropathy involve damage to only one nerve (mononeuropathy). Neuropathy affecting two or more nerves in different areas is called multiple mononeuropathy or mononeuropathy multiplex. More often, many or most of the nerves are affected (polyneuropathy).

Classifying the nerves and peripheral neuropathies

More than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy have been identified, each with its own symptoms and prognosis. Symptoms vary depending on the type of nervesmotor, sensory, or autonomicthat are damaged.

Most neuropathies affect all three types of nerve fibers to varying degrees; others primarily affect one or two types. Doctors use terms such as predominantly motor neuropathy, predominantly sensory neuropathy, sensory-motor neuropathy, or autonomic neuropathy to describe different conditions.

About 75 percent of polyneuropathies are length-dependent, meaning the farthest nerve endings in the feet are where the symptoms develop first or are worse. In severe cases, these neuropathies can spread upwards toward the central parts of the body. In non-length dependent polyneuropathies, the symptoms can start around the torso, or are patchy.

Symptoms

Symptoms can range from mild to disabling, but are rarely life-threatening. The symptoms depend on the type of nerve fibers affected and the type and severity of damage. Symptoms may develop over days, weeks, or years. In some cases, symptoms improve on their own and may not require advanced care. Unlike nerve cells in the CNS, peripheral nerve cells continue to grow throughout life.

Symptoms are related to the type of nerves affected.

Motor nerve damage is most commonly associated with muscle weakness. Other symptoms include:

Sensory nerve damage causes various symptoms because sensory nerves have a broad range of functions.

Autonomic nerve damage affects the axons in small-fiber neuropathies. Common symptoms include:

Types of peripheral neuropathy

There are several types of peripheral neuropathies, including

Most instances of neuropathy are either acquired, meaning the neuropathy or the inevitability of getting it isn't present from the beginning of life, or genetic. Acquired neuropathies are either symptomatic (the result of another disorder or condition) or idiopathic (meaning it has no known cause).

Acquired peripheral neuropathy causes include:

Genetically caused polyneuropathies are rare. Genetic mutations can either be inherited or arise "de novo," meaning they are completely new to an individual and are not present in either parent. Some genetic mutations lead to mild neuropathies with symptoms that begin in early adulthood and result in little, if any, significant impairment. More severe hereditary neuropathies often appear in infancy or childhood. The small-fiber neuropathies that present with pain, itch, and autonomic symptoms can be genetic.

Diagnosing peripheral neuropathy

The variability of symptoms that neuropathies can cause often makes diagnosis difficult. A diagnosis of neuropathy can include:

Additional tests may be ordered to help determine the nature and extent of the neuropathy.

Physiologic tests of nerve function

Neuropathology tests of nerve appearance

Autonomic testing

Radiology imaging tests

Muscle and nerve ultrasound is a noninvasive experimental technique for imaging nerves and muscles for injury such as a severed nerve or a compressed nerve. Ultrasound imaging of the muscles can detect abnormalities that may be related to a muscle or nerve disorder. Certain inherited muscle disorders have characteristic patterns on muscle ultrasound.

Treating peripheral neuropathy

Treatments depend entirely on the type of nerve damage, symptoms, and location. Your doctor will explain how nerve damage is causing your specific symptoms and how to minimize and manage them. You may be able to reduce your medication dose or manage your neuropathy without medications. Definitive treatment can allow for functional recovery over time, as long as the nerve cell itself has not died.

Correcting underlying causes can result in the neuropathy resolving on its own as the nerves recover or regenerate. Nerve health and resistance can be improved by healthy lifestyle habits such as maintaining optimal weight, avoiding toxic exposures, eating a balanced diet, and correcting vitamin deficiencies.

Smoking constricts the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the peripheral nerves and can worsen neuropathic symptoms. Exercise can deliver more blood, oxygen, and nutrients to far-off nerve endings, improve muscle strength, and limit muscle atrophy. Self-care skills in people with diabetes and others who have an impaired ability to feel pain can alleviate symptoms and often create conditions that encourage nerve regeneration. Strict control of blood glucose levels can reduce neuropathic symptoms and help people with diabetic neuropathy avoid further nerve damage.

Inflammatory and autoimmune conditions leading to neuropathy can be controlled using immunosuppressive drugs such as prednisone, cyclosporine, or azathioprine. Plasmapheresisa procedure in which blood is removed, cleansed of immune system cells and antibodies, and then returned to the bodycan help reduce inflammation or suppress immune system activity. Agents such as rituximab that target specific inflammatory cells, large intravenously administered doses of immunoglobulins, and antibodies that alter the immune system, also can suppress abnormal immune system activity.

Improving symptoms

Medications recommended for chronic neuropathic pain are also used for other medical conditions. Among the most effective are a class of drugs first marketed to treat depression. Nortriptyline and newer serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as duloxetine hydrochloride modulate pain by increasing the brain's ability to inhibit incoming pain signals.

Another class of medications that quiets nerve cell electrical signaling is also used for epilepsy. Common drugs include gabapentin, pregabalin, and less often topiramate and lamotrigine. Carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are particularly effective for trigeminal neuralgia, a focal neuropathy of the face.

Local anesthetics and related drugs that block nerve conduction may help when other medications are ineffective or poorly tolerated. Medications put on the skin (topically administered) are generally appealing because they stay near the skin and have fewer unwanted side effects. Lidocaine patches or creams applied to the skin can be helpful for small painful areas, such as localized chronic pain from mononeuropathies such as shingles. Another topical cream is capsaicin, a substance found in hot peppers that can desensitize peripheral pain nerve endings.Doctor-applied patches that contain higher concentrations of capsaicin offer longer term relief from neuropathic pain and itching, but they worsen small-fiber nerve damage.Weak over-the-counter formulations also are available. Lidocaine or longer acting bupivacaine are sometimes given using implanted pumps that deliver tiny quantities to the fluid that bathes the spinal cord, where they can quiet excess firing of pain cells without affecting the rest of the body. Other drugs treat chronic painful neuropathies by calming excess signaling.

Narcotics (opioids) can be used for pain that doesn't respond to other pain-control medications and if disease-improving treatments aren't fully effective. Because pain relievers that contain opioids can lead to dependence and addiction, their use must be closely monitored by a physician. One of the newest drugs approved for treating diabetic neuropathy is tapentadol, which has both opioid activity and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibition activity of an antidepressant.

Surgery is the recommended treatment for some types of neuropathies. Protruding disks (pinched nerve) in the back or neck that compress nerve roots are commonly treated surgically to free the affected nerve root and allow it to heal. Injuries to a single nerve (mononeuropathy) caused by compression, entrapment, or rarely tumors or infections may require surgery to release the nerve compression. Polyneuropathies that involve more scattered nerve damage, such as diabetic neuropathy, are not helped by surgical intervention. Surgeries or interventional procedures that attempt to reduce pain by cutting or injuring nerves are not often effective as they worsen nerve damage and the parts of the peripheral and central nervous system above the cut often continue to generate pain signals (phantom pain). More sophisticated and less damaging procedures such as electrically stimulating remaining peripheral nerve fibers or pain-processing areas of the spinal cord or brain have largely replaced these surgeries.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a noninvasive intervention used for pain relief in a range of conditions. TENS involves attaching electrodes to the skin at the site of pain or near associated nerves and then administering a gentle electrical current. Although data from controlled clinical trials are not available to broadly establish its efficacy for peripheral neuropathies, in some studies TENS has been shown to improve neuropathic symptoms associated with diabetes.

Prevention

The best treatment is prevention, and strategies for reducing injuries are highly effective and well tested. Since medical procedures ranging from casting fractures to injuries from needles and surgery are another cause, unnecessary procedures should be avoided.

The new adjuvanted vaccine (anadjuvantis an ingredient used in some vaccines that helps create a stronger immune response in people receiving the vaccine)against shingles prevents more than 95 percent of cases and is widely recommended for people over 50, including those who have had previous shingles or vaccination with the older, less effective vaccine.

Diabetes and some other diseases are common preventable causes of neuropathy. People with neuropathy should ask their doctors to minimize use of medications that are known to cause or worsen neuropathy where alternatives exist. Some families with very severe genetic neuropathies use in vitro fertilization (IVF) to prevent transmission to future generations.

The mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is to seek knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. NINDS is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a leading supporter of biomedical research in the world.

NINDS-funded research ranges from clinical studies of the genetics and the natural history of hereditary neuropathies to discoveries of new cause and treatments for neuropathy, to basic science investigations of the biological mechanisms responsible for chronic neuropathic pain. Together, these diverse research areas will advance the development of new therapeutic and preventive strategies for peripheral neuropathies. Understanding the causes of neuropathy provides the foundation for finding effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Genetic mutations have been identified in more than 80 distinct hereditary neuropathies. NINDS supports studies to understand the disease mechanisms of these conditions and to identify other genetic defects that may play roles in causing or modifying the course of disease. The Inherited Neuropathies Consortium (INC)a group of academic medical centers, patient support organizations, and clinical research resources dedicated to conducting clinical research in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and improving the care of people with the diseaseis working to characterize the natural history of several different forms of neuropathy and to identify genes that modify clinical features in these disorders. Knowing which genes are mutated, and what their normal function is, allows precise diagnosis and leads to new therapies that can prevent or reduce nerve damage. INC is also developing and testing biomarkers (signs that can indicate the diagnosis or progression of a disease) and clinical outcome measures that will be needed in future clinical trials to determine whether individuals respond to candidate treatments.

Rapid communication between the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system often depends on myelination, a process through which special cells called Schwann cells create an insulating coating around axons. Several NINDS-funded studies focus on understanding how myelin protein and membrane production and maintenance in Schwann cells is regulated and how mutations in genes involved in these processes cause peripheral neuropathies. Schwann cells play a critical role in the regeneration of nerve cell axons in the peripheral nervous system. By better understanding myelination and Schwann cell function, researchers hope to find targets for new therapies to treat or prevent nerve damage associated with neuropathy.

In inflammatory peripheral neuropathies such as Guillain-Barr syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), the body's immune system mistakenly attacks peripheral nerves, damaging myelin and weakening signaling along affected nerves. NINDS-supported researchers hope to better understand how antibodies to cell membrane components cause peripheral nerve damage and how the effects of these antibodies can be blocked. Researchers are also studying how mutations in the Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE) gene in a mouse model of CIDP cause the immune system to attack peripheral nerves. NINDS research has helped discover that some types of small-fiber polyneuropathy appear to be immune-caused, particularly in women and children.

NINDS-supported researchers are also exploring the use of tissue engineered from the cells of humans with peripheral neuropathy as models to identify specific defects in the transport of cellular components along axons and the interactions of nerves with muscles. Such tissue engineering approaches may eventually lead to new therapeutics for peripheral neuropathies.

In addition to efforts to treat or prevent underlying nerve damage, other NINDS-supported studies are informing new strategies for relieving neuropathic pain, fatigue, and other neuropathy symptoms. Researchers are investigating the pathways that carry pain signals to the brain and are working to identify substances that will block this signaling.

For research articles and summaries on peripheral neuropathy, search PubMed, which contains citations from medical journals and other sites.

Learn About Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are studies that allow us to learn more about disorders and improve care. They can help connect patients with new and upcoming treatment options.

Consider participating in a clinical trial so clinicians and scientists can learn more about peripheral neuropathy and other nerve disorders. Clinical research uses human volunteers to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat, or prevent disease.

All types of volunteers are neededthose who are healthy or may have an illness or diseaseof all different ages, sexes, races, and ethnicities to ensure that study results apply to as many people as possible, and that treatments will be safe and effective for everyone who will use them.

For information about participating in clinical research visit NIH Clinical Research Trials and You. Learn about clinical trials currently looking for people with peripheral neuropathy at Clinicaltrials.gov, a database of current and past trials, some of which have research results.

Information and resources on peripheral neuropathy and nerve disease are available from the following organizations:

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Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nerves. These nerves send messages between the central nervous system, the brain and the spinal cord, and the rest of the body.

Peripheral neuropathy is a general term that describes many conditions caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system, which is responsible for sending sensory information to and from the central nervous system. For example, the peripheral nerves can tell the body when the hands are cold.

Peripheral neuropathy affects more than 20 million people in the United States. In general, the condition can cause a loss of normal nerve signals, or cause inappropriate or distorted signals.

The condition can affect a range of different nerves, so it can impact a variety of locations in different ways. It can affect a single nerve or several nerves at the same time.

Examples of peripheral neuropathy include:

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may vary according to the type of neuropathy. Researchers have identified 100 different types of neuropathy.

Generally, the types are classified into three categories, each with its own set of symptoms. They are:

This affects the sensory nerves, which impact the sensations of pain, touch, and temperature.

The person may have:

Especially in cases when the cause is diabetes, sensory neuropathy can also lead to foot and leg ulcers, infection, and gangrene.

This affects the muscles that the brain controls consciously.

Symptoms include:

The affects body processes that the brain controls involuntarily. Symptoms may include:

Treatment either targets the underlying cause, or it aims to provide symptomatic pain relief and prevent further damage. Treatments may include:

Medications that may help relieve symptoms, but do not cure the problem, include:

A persons choice of treatment should take into account any medications that person is taking for other conditions in order to avoid unwanted interactions.

When a persons neuropathy happens as a result of compression of a single nerve, treatment is similar regardless of which nerve is involved. The approach depends on whether the compression is fixed or transient.

A palsy of the ulnar, radial, or peroneal nerve may be temporary and reversible if a person simply avoids the cause of the nerve compression. For example, a person with ulnar nerve palsy should not lean on the affected elbow.

The person may need to rest, use heat, or take a limited course of drugs to reduce inflammation.

In carpal tunnel syndrome, conservative therapy includes splinting the wrist and taking oral or injected corticosteroid drugs.

If a single-nerve neuropathy does not respond to these measures, surgery may be an option in rare cases. Surgery may also be necessary if the nerve compression is fixed, for example when the cause is a tumor.

A doctor should consider referring a person to pain specialist or a relevant clinical specialty at any stage if:

Non-drug measures for peripheral neuropathy can include using warm or cold packs, unless heat or cold makes the symptoms worse.

Stress relief and other complementary therapies include meditation, relaxation techniques, massage, and acupuncture. These may help a person cope with pain from the condition.

Some people find that using a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine helps. This device interrupts nerve messages by delivering a small electric current. Research has not confirmed the effectiveness of this treatment.

Many types of neuropathy are idiopathic, or of unknown cause, but a number of conditions can trigger the problem. These include:

Other causes can include:

Disorders of the small blood vessels can reduce blood supply to the nerves, resulting in nerve tissue damage. Certain benign tumors can also affect nerve tissue and lead to neuropathic pain.

Diabetes is the most common cause of chronic peripheral neuropathy in the U.S. About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes will have some form of damage to their sensory, motor, or autonomic nerves. Many will have foot problems and ulcers.

High blood sugar levels cause damage to the walls of the tiny blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves in the ends of the hands and feet, and the essential organs in the body, such as the eyes, kidneys, and heart. Whenever skin becomes damaged, the loss of sensation further increases the risk of damage.

Peripheral neuropathy causes a variety of symptoms with many possible causes.

A doctor will usually begin by taking a persons medical history. This includes gathering information about all the symptoms, but also details about a persons life, potential environmental exposures, and any risks of infectious or neurological diseases.

The next step should be a physical and neurological exam that will help the doctor identify any nerve damage. Potential tests a doctor may perform include nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and electromyography (EMG). These tests measure nerve signal strength and electrical activity.

A doctor may also do a nerve biopsy. In cases of suspected autonomic peripheral neuropathy, a person can get a QSART test, which measures their ability to sweat.

For some types of neuropathies, like nerve compression, a person can also get a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or a computed tomography (CT) scan. Another option is a muscle and nerve ultrasound, but this is not common.

If the doctor confirms that neuropathy is present, the doctor will look for the cause. The doctor may then send the person to get blood tests in order to check for diabetes and other potential underlying conditions.

The doctor may check for vitamin deficiencies, liver or kidney dysfunction, infections, metabolic disorders, or any immune cells that may indicate an immune disorder. In some cases, the doctor may order a test to rule out a genetic disorder.

If none of these tests can point to a cause, a doctor may conduct additional tests.

The outlook for peripheral neuropathy varies depending on the underlying cause, and which nerves have been damaged.

Some cases may improve with time if the underlying cause is treated, but in others, the damage may be permanent or gradually worsen over time.

Peripheral neuropathy describes many different conditions that damage the peripheral nervous system. Many underlying conditions can cause neuropathies, which result in impairments to a persons nerve signals.

A persons symptoms will vary depending on the affected nerves and the type of neuropathy. The condition affects more than 20 million people in the U.S.

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Peripheral neuropathy: Symptoms, causes, and treatment - Medical News Today

Symptoms from peripheral neuropathy depend on the type of nerves damaged. The three types are motor nerves, sensory nerves, and autonomic nerves.

Your motor nerves send messages from the brain to the muscles so you can control your movements.

If your motor nerves are affected, you may experience symptoms including:

Sensory nerves send messages from other body parts to the brain and trigger your senses. When you experience a cold sensation or touch something sharp, you are using your sensory nerves.

If your peripheral neuropathy affects your sensory nerves, you may experience:

These nerves control involuntary and semi-voluntary functions including blood pressure, heart rate, bladder functions, and sweating.

If your autonomic nerves are affected from peripheral neuropathy, you may experience symptoms including:

Treatment for peripheral neuropathy depends on the cause. Some common treatments involve physical therapy, surgery, and injections for increased nerve pressure. Other treatments focus on reducing pain and discomfort with over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin.

There are also a number of natural treatments to help reduce symptoms and peripheral neuropathy.

Some cases of peripheral neuropathy are related to vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin B is essential for your nerve health. A deficiency can lead to significant nerve damage.

While you can get vitamin B from your meals, your doctor may also recommend taking a supplement. Stick to the recommended dose to prevent toxicity and worsening symptoms.

Vitamin D can also help prevent nerve pain. Your skin typically produces vitamin D in response to sunlight. A deficiency can cause neuropathy pain. Taking a supplement can help reduce the symptoms of neuropathy.

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, an ingredient in hot peppers that makes them spicy. Capsaicin has been used in topical creams for its pain relief properties. It decreases the intensity of pain signals sent through the body.

Incorporating cayenne pepper in your diet or taking a capsaicin supplement can help to reduce neuropathy pain.

Topical capsaicin ointments can also be used on the body. Although it may initially burn, continued use will gradually reduce neuropathy sensations.

Be sure to discuss this treatment method with your doctor before using it to prevent adverse symptoms.

Smoking affects your blood circulation. The blood vessels narrow and less oxygenated blood can get through. Without proper blood circulation, you may experience increased numbness and pain from your peripheral neuropathy. Eliminating smoking habits can help to improve your symptoms. Let this motivate you to make positive changes.

Taking a warm bath can be soothing and can also alleviate pain symptoms from neuropathy. Warm water increases blood circulation throughout the body, decreasing pain symptoms from numbness.

If your sensory nerves are affected from peripheral neuropathy and youre not as sensitive to temperature, be careful not to make your bath water too hot.

Regular exercise can help to combat pain and improve your overall health. Being active can reduce your blood sugar, which, in turn, can reduce or slow down nerve damage. Exercise also increases blood flow to your arms and legs and reduces stress. These are all factors that help to reduce discomfort and pain.

Some essential oils, including chamomile and Roman lavender, help to increase circulation in the body. They also have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that could boost healing.

Dilute essential oils (a few drops) in 1 ounce of a carrier oil such as olive oil. Applying these diluted oils to the affected area can reduce stinging and tingling pains from peripheral neuropathy.

Meditation techniques can help people struggling with neuropathy symptoms live through their pain. It can help to lower stress, improve your coping skills, and decrease your pain intensity. Taking a mind-body approach is a noninvasive technique that provides you with more control over your condition.

Acupuncture promotes natural healing by stimulating the bodys pressure points. This technique triggers the nervous system to release chemicals that can change the pain experience or threshold. Acupuncture helps to provide an energy balance to the body that can affect your emotional well-being.

Prevention works so much better than treatment. Keeping your blood sugars within the normal range will help prevent your neuropathy from worsening. If your neuropathy is related to alcohol intake, stop drinking now to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Natural remedies have some success in alleviating the pain symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. However, be sure to consult with your doctor prior to participating in a new treatment method. If you begin experiencing irregular symptoms from natural remedies, or if your conditions worsen, visit a doctor immediately.

See more here:
Natural Treatments for Peripheral Neuropathy - Healthline

When you have diabetes, nerve damage can occur as a result of high blood sugar. This is known as diabetic neuropathy. There are four main types of this condition. You may have just one type or you may have symptoms of several types. Most types of diabetic neuropathy develop gradually, and you may not notice problems until considerable damage has occurred.

Talk with your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms. The sooner they can be diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of preventing further complications.

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy. Your feet and legs are often affected first, followed by your hands and arms. Possible signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:

The autonomic nervous system controls your blood pressure, heart rate, sweat glands, eyes, bladder, digestive system and sex organs. Diabetes can affect the nerves in any of these areas, possibly causing symptoms including:

Unlike peripheral neuropathy, which affects the ends of nerves in the feet, legs, hands and arms, proximal neuropathy affects nerves in the thighs, hips, buttocks or legs. This condition is more common in people who have type 2 diabetes and in older adults.

Symptoms are usually on one side of the body, though in some cases symptoms may spread to the other side, too. Most people improve at least partially over 6 to 12 months. This condition is often marked by symptoms including:

Mononeuropathy involves damage to a single, specific nerve. The nerve may be in the face, torso, arm or leg. Mononeuropathy, which may also be called focal neuropathy, often comes on suddenly. It's most common in older adults.

Although mononeuropathy can cause severe pain, it usually doesn't cause any long-term problems. Symptoms usually lessen and disappear on their own over a few weeks or months. Symptoms depend on which nerve is involved, and may include:

Sometimes mononeuropathy occurs when a nerve is compressed. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common type of compression neuropathy in people with diabetes.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

Be sure to talk with your health care provider if you notice any of these symptoms. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chance of reducing complications.

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Neuropathy is a term used to describe several conditions that affect the nerves and can cause irritating and painful symptoms. Neuropathy is a particularly common complication of diabetes and a side effect of chemotherapy.

Conventional treatments are available for neuropathy. However, research is underway to investigate the use of supplements. You may find these supplements preferable to other treatment options since they have fewer side effects. They may also benefit your health and well-being in other ways.

Always talk with your doctor before starting any new supplements or changing your treatment plan in any way. You may wish to combine these supplements with complementary therapies, pain medications, and adaptive techniques to help you manage your symptoms, but be cautious.

Herbs and supplements can interfere with each other and with any medications youre taking. Theyre not meant to replace any treatment plan approved by your doctor.

B vitamins are useful in treating neuropathy since they support healthy nervous system function. Peripheral neuropathy is sometimes caused by a vitamin B deficiency.

Supplementation should include vitamin B1 (thiamine and benfotiamine), B6, and B12. You may choose to take these separately instead of as a B complex.

Benfotiamine is like vitamin B1, which is also known as thiamine. Its thought to lower pain and inflammation levels and prevent cellular damage.

A deficiency in vitamin B12 is one cause of peripheral neuropathy. Without treatment, it can cause permanent nerve damage.

Vitamin B6 may help to maintain the covering on nerve endings. But its important that you dont take more than 200 milligrams of B6 per day. Research from 2021 shows that taking higher amounts can lead to nerve damage and cause symptoms of neuropathy.

Foods rich in B vitamins include:

A 2017 review indicates that supplementing with B vitamins has the potential to promote nerve repair. This may be because B vitamins can speed up nerve tissue regeneration and improve nerve function. B vitamins may also be useful in relieving pain and inflammation.

The results of studies showing the benefit of benfotiamine in treating neuropathy have been mixed. A small 2005 study and a 2008 study found benfotiamine to have a positive effect on diabetic neuropathy. It was shown to decrease pain and improve the condition.

But a small 2012 study found that people with type 1 diabetes who took 300 milligrams per day of benfotiamine showed no significant improvements in nerve function or inflammation. People took the supplement for 24 months.

Further studies are needed to expand upon these findings. Its also important to examine the effects of benfotiamine in combination with other B vitamins.

Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that may be useful in treating neuropathy caused by diabetes or cancer treatment. A 2021 study says it may lower blood sugar levels, improve nerve function, and relieve uncomfortable symptoms in the legs and arms such as:

It can be taken in supplement form or administered intravenously. You may take 600 to 1,200 milligrams per day in capsule form.

Foods that have trace amounts of alpha-lipoic acid include:

Alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to have a positive effect on nerve conduction and to reduce neuropathic pain. A small 2017 study found that alpha-lipoic acid was useful in protecting against oxidative damage in people with diabetic neuropathy.

One important note of caution: If you are deficient in thiamine, or vitamin B1, as a result of excessive alcohol use or for another reason, alpha-lipoic acid may have a toxic effect on your system.

Acetyl-L-carnitine is an amino acid and antioxidant. It may raise energy levels, create healthy nerve cells, and reduce pain in people with neuropathy. You can take it as a supplement. A typical dosage is 500 milligrams twice per day.

Food sources of acetyl-L-carnitine include:

According to a 2016 study, acetyl-L-carnitine significantly improved:

Participants received either a placebo or 3 grams per day of acetyl-L-carnitine for 8 weeks. Researchers noted significant differences between the groups at 12 weeks. This indicates that the neurotoxicity persists without further clinical intervention.

NAC is a form of cysteine. Its an antioxidant and amino acid. Its many medicinal uses include treating neuropathic pain and reducing inflammation.

NAC isnt found naturally in foods, but cysteine is in most high protein foods. You can take it as a supplement in amounts of 1,200 milligrams once or twice per day.

Results of a 2010 animal study showed that NAC may be useful in treating diabetic neuropathy. It reduced neuropathic pain and improved motor coordination. Its antioxidant properties improved nerve damage from oxidative stress and apoptosis, or cell death.

Curcumin is a compound found in the herb turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pain relieving properties. It may help to relieve numbness and tingling in your hands and feet.

Curcumin is available in supplement form, or you can take 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper three times per day.

You can also use fresh or powdered turmeric to make tea. You can add it to foods such as curries, egg salads, and yogurt smoothies.

A 2014 animal study found that curcumin reduced chemotherapy-induced neuropathy in mice who took it for 14 days. It had a positive effect on pain, inflammation, and functional loss. Antioxidant and calcium levels were significantly improved. Larger studies on humans are needed to expand upon these findings.

Another animal study from 2013 indicates that curcumin is helpful when taken during the early stages of neuropathy. This may prevent chronic neuropathic pain from developing.

Fish oil is useful in treating neuropathy due to its anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to repair damaged nerves. It also helps to relieve muscle soreness and pain. Its available in supplement form. You can take 2,400 to 5,400 milligrams per day.

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are also found in these foods:

A 2017 review examined the potential for fish oil as a treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Studies have shown that fish oil can slow progression and reverse diabetic neuropathy. Its anti-inflammatory properties are useful in reducing pain and discomfort. Its neuroprotective effects can help to stimulate neuron outgrowth.

While the results are promising, further studies are needed to expand upon these findings.

Talk with your doctor before starting any supplements for your neuropathy symptoms. They can provide personalized information about safety and effectiveness given your health situation.

If youre given the go-ahead, you may find that some of these supplements ease the discomfort associated with the condition.

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Background: Peripheral neuropathy can significantly impact the quality of life for those who are affected, as therapies from the current treatment algorithm often fail to deliver adequate symptom relief. There has, however, been an increasing body of evidence for the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of chronic, noncancer pain. The efficacy of a topically delivered cannabidiol (CBD) oil in the management of neuropathic pain was examined in this four-week, randomized and placebocontrolled trial.

Methods: In total, 29 patients with symptomatic peripheral neuropathy were recruited and enrolled. 15 patients were randomized to the CBD group with the treatment product containing 250 mg CBD/3 fl. oz, and 14 patients were randomized to the placebo group. After four weeks, the placebo group was allowed to crossover into the treatment group. The Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS) was administered biweekly to assess the mean change from baseline to the end of the treatment period.

Results: The study population included 62.1% males and 37.9% females with a mean age of 68 years. There was a statistically significant reduction in intense pain, sharp pain, cold and itchy sensations in the CBD group when compared to the placebo group. No adverse events were reported in this study.

Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the transdermal application of CBD oil can achieve significant improvement in pain and other disturbing sensations in patients with peripheral neuropathy. The treatment product was well tolerated and may provide a more effective alternative compared to other current therapies in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy.

Keywords: CBD; cannabis sativa; diabetic neuropathy; hemp; nerve pain; review..

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Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy in the UK.

Neuropathy can also be caused by other health conditions andcertain medicines.

In some cases, no causecan beidentifiedand this is termed idiopathic neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathycaused byeither type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetesis called diabetic polyneuropathy.

It's probably caused by high levels of sugar in your blood damaging the tiny blood vessels that supply your nerves.

Peripheral neuropathy becomes more likely the longer you have had diabetes.

Up to 1 in 4 people with the condition experience some pain caused by nerve damage.

If you have diabetes, your risk of polyneuropathy is higher if your blood sugar is poorly controlled or you:

If you have diabetes, examine your feet regularly to check for open wounds or sores (ulcers) or chilblains.

As well as diabetes, there are many other possible causes of peripheral neuropathy.

Some of the health conditions that can cause peripheral neuropathy include:

A few medicines may sometimes cause peripheral neuropathy as a side effect in some people.

These include:

Page last reviewed: 10 October 2022Next review due: 10 October 2025

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Peripheral neuropathy - Causes - NHS

Diagnosis

Autonomic neuropathy is a possible complication of some diseases. The tests you'll need depend on your symptoms and risk factors for autonomic neuropathy.

If you have diabetes or another condition that increases your risk of autonomic neuropathy and have symptoms of neuropathy, your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.

If you are undergoing cancer treatment with a drug known to cause nerve damage, your provider will check for signs of neuropathy.

If you have symptoms of autonomic neuropathy but no risk factors, the diagnosis can be more involved. Your health care provider will probably review your medical history, discuss your symptoms and do a physical exam.

Your provider might recommend tests to evaluate autonomic functions, including:

Tilt-table test. This test monitors the response of blood pressure and heart rate to changes in posture and position. It simulates what occurs when you stand up after lying down. You lie flat on a table, which is then tilted to raise the upper part of your body. Typically, blood vessels narrow and heart rate increases to compensate for the drop in blood pressure. This response may be slowed if you have autonomic neuropathy.

A simpler test for this response involves checking your blood pressure when lying, sitting and standing after three minutes. Another test involves standing for a minute, then squatting for a minute and then standing again while blood pressure and heart rate are monitored.

Treatment of autonomic neuropathy includes:

Your health care provider may recommend:

Your health care provider may suggest:

For men with erectile dysfunction, health care providers might recommend:

Medications that enable erections. Drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil, tadalafil (Cialis) and avanafil (Stendra) can help you achieve and maintain an erection. Possible side effects include low blood pressure, mild headache, flushing, upset stomach and changes in color vision.

If you have a history of heart disease, arrhythmia, stroke or high blood pressure, use these medications with caution. Also avoid taking these medications if you are taking any type of organic nitrates. Seek immediate medical assistance if you have an erection that lasts longer than four hours.

For women with sexual symptoms, health care providers might recommend:

Autonomic neuropathy can cause heart rate and blood pressure problems. Your health care provider might prescribe:

Medications to raise your blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy when you stand up, your health care provider might suggest medications. Fludrocortisone helps your body retain salt, which helps regulate your blood pressure.

Midodrine (Orvaten) and droxidopa (Northera) can help raise blood pressure. But these drugs can cause high blood pressure when you're lying down. Octreotide (Sandostatin) can help raise blood pressure in people with diabetes who have low blood pressure after eating, but it can cause some side effects. Pyridostigmine (Mestinon) may help keep blood pressure stable when standing.

If you sweat too much, your health care provider might prescribe a medication that decreases sweating. Glycopyrrolate (Cuvposa, Robinul, others) can decrease sweating. Side effects can include diarrhea, dry mouth, urinary retention, blurred vision, changes in heart rate, headache, loss of taste and drowsiness. Glycopyrrolate can also increase the risk of heat-related illness, such as heatstroke, from a reduced ability to sweat.

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.

Posture changes. Stand up slowly, in stages, to decrease dizziness. Sit with your legs dangling over the side of the bed for a few minutes before getting up. Flex your feet and make fists with your hands for a few seconds before standing up, to increase blood flow.

Once standing, try tensing your leg muscles while crossing one leg over the other a few times to increase blood pressure.

Several alternative medicine treatments might help people with autonomic neuropathy. Talk with your health care provider about any treatments you want to try. This can help make sure that they won't interfere with your medical treatments or be harmful.

Research suggests this antioxidant might improve the measures of autonomic nerve function. More study is needed.

This therapy involves placing thin needles in specific points in the body. It might help treat slow stomach emptying and erectile dysfunction. More studies are needed.

This therapy sends low-energy electrical waves through electrodes placed on the skin. Some studies have found that it might help ease pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.

Living with a chronic condition presents daily challenges. Here are some suggestions to help you cope:

First, you'll probably see your primary care provider. If you have diabetes, you might see your diabetes doctor (endocrinologist). However, you might be referred to a doctor specializing in nerve disorders (neurologist).

You might see other specialists, depending on the part of your body affected by neuropathy, such as a cardiologist for blood pressure or heart rate problems or a gastroenterologist for digestive difficulties.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your appointment.

Ask if you should do anything before your appointment, such as fasting before certain tests. Make a list of:

Take a friend or family member with you to help you remember the information you receive and to learn how to support you. For example, if you pass out from low blood pressure, people around you need to know what to do.

Questions to ask your health care provider about autonomic neuropathy include:

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

Your health care provider is likely to ask you questions, such as:

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Autonomic neuropathy - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic