8 “No Doubts” Symptoms of Neuropathy

Your body has two nerve systems. The central nervous system is made up of your brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system connects the nerves in those two regions to the rest of your body. The peripheral nerves also transmit information about bodily sensations, such as temperature, texture, or pain, from your body to the brain.

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which the peripheral nerves become injured or destroyed, interfering with normal function. For example, you may lose feeling in your feet when walking, causing you to fall, or your nerves may fail to deliver appropriate pain signals, or even generate pain signals when there is no cause for pain, resulting in harm.

A board-certified doctor will understand how uncomfortable and debilitating neuropathy may be, as well as how it increases the risk of nerve injury. You may find one to consult with by googling “best neurologist Brooklyn”.

Meanwhile, here's how to identify whether you're developing neuropathy so you know when to seek medical attention.

8 symptoms of neuropathy

Symptoms may differ from person to person, or even within the same individual on a daily basis, but they include one or more of the following:

• Tingling
• Sensitivity to touch
• Numbness or “muffled” skin sensation
• Muscle weakness
• Inability to detect temperature
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Sharp, jabbing pain
• Burning, shooting pain

The feelings may be felt near the injured nerve, or they may spread throughout the body.

Common causes of neuropathy

Physical harm to the nervous system is the most common cause of neuropathy. Trauma can take many forms, including trips and falls, car accidents, and repetitive motion injuries.

Diabetes is also a common reason. The high blood sugar levels associated with the condition cause nerve damage and symptoms such as numbness, discomfort, and loss of sensation. According to the University of Chicago's Center for Peripheral Neuropathy (UCCPN), about 60% of diabetics suffer from nerve injury.

Other chronic diseases and environmental toxins that can cause peripheral nerve injury include renal abnormalities, hypothyroidism, chronic inflammation caused by autoimmune diseases, vitamin deficiencies, some bacterial or viral infections, and heavy metal exposure.

Common treatments for neuropathy

The doctor can offer several treatment options for neuropathy:

Medications

Over-the-counter pain relievers are only effective in moderate cases of neuropathy. Some prescription antiepileptic drugs can help ease nerve pain, and some tricyclic antidepressants interfere with chemical processes in your central nervous system that cause you to feel pain, dampening the signal.

Furthermore, two antidepressants are effective against neuropathic pain in diabetics: the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) duloxetine and the extended-release venlafaxine. All of these medications have side effects, so your doctor should discuss the benefits and risks with you before prescribing anything.

MLS laser therapy

The Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Therapy Laser is an FDA-approved device that combines many radiation wavelengths to effectively and simultaneously treat neuropathic pain, inflammation, and edema (swelling). The MLS system has an effectiveness rate of 85-90%.

Regenerative medicine

Your doctor may also provide two regenerative medicine choices. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy makes use of your own platelets, which are one of the components of blood, obtained through a standard blood draw. They are prepared and then injected into the injured nerves to stimulate new cell development.

Stem cell therapy converts your body's supply of undifferentiated cells (stem cells), or cells extracted from amniotic tissue, into the cells needed to repair and regenerate damaged tissues, including peripheral nerves.

If you’re experiencing any of the telltale symptoms of neuropathy, it’s time to call a doctor. They will check your condition and offer a reliable treatment plan.