Neuropathy… Now What?
November 18, 2021
Neuropathy is a disorder that results from nerve damage that leads to pain, muscle weakness, and numbness of the affected body part. This disorder mostly starts in the arms and feet. It generally results when neurons get damaged and thus disrupting how they communicate with the brain. It can affect one or multiple nerves in the body.
Causes of Neuropathy
Neuropathy is caused by several things, that include the following:
– Diabetes- it’s the primary cause of neuropathy.
– Autoimmune diseases- such as rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, Sjogren’s syndrome, Guillain-Barre syndrome, etc.
– Tumors- cancerous and noncancerous tumors result in neuropathy as the body’s immune system tries to respond.
– Trauma- injuries resulting from auto accidents, slip and fall, and sporting activities.
– Medications & treatments- some medications, including HIV and anti-seizure drugs and treatments like chemotherapy.
– Inherited disorders
– Alcohol and toxins
Signs and Symptoms
* Excessive sensitivity to touch
* Muscle weakness
* Excessive sweating
* Heat intolerance
* Sharp or burning pain
* Poor coordination
* Low blood pressure
* Weight loss
* sexual dysfunction
* Body paralysis
* Bladder, digestion, and bowel problems
These are some of the signs of neuropathy. When you visit a doctor, you’ll be diagnosed through various ways, including physical examination, neurologic examination, imaging tests, or electrodiagnostic assessment(EDX).
Neuropathy Treatment
Neuropathy can be treated using the following ways:
This is among the best neuropathy treatments that incorporate electronic pulses and medications to restore damaged nerves and alleviate pain. Neurogenx treatment is ideal for neuropathy resulting from diabetes, chemotherapy, and infections.
- Pain medications
There are useful medications with chemical components that reduce pain. They include anti seizure medicines, narcotic medications, antidepressants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation
This is a drug-free therapy that involves using electrodes to cut off the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
- Complementary treatments
These are treatments like massage, psychotherapy, acupuncture, and behavioral therapy.
- Immune modulating treatments
These are ideal treatments for patients whose neuropathy is a result of autoimmune disease. They include IV infusion treatments, oral medications, and plasmapheresis.
In conclusion, these are treatments for neuropathy. It’s essential to consult your doctor before you decide to undergo any treatment for better results.