What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy, or peripheral neuropathy is a condition caused by nerve damage that leads to weakness, numbness, and pain in your hands, feet, and other areas of your body.
The peripheral nervous system sends messages from the central nervous system — the brain and spinal cord — to the rest of your body. It is made up of three types of nerves:
Sensory nerves
Sensory nerves carry messages from your spinal cord to your brain. If you touch something sharp, your sensory nerves send warning signals back to your central nervous system.
Motor nerves
Motor nerves carry messages from your brain to your muscles. They can tell your muscles to stop touching the sharp object.
Autonomic nerves
Autonomic nerves control body functions like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.
What causes neuropathy?
There are many injuries and conditions that can cause neuropathy, including:
Systemic diseases
Hormonal imbalances, kidney disorders, and even cancer can lead to neuropathy. However, the most common systemic disease that causes peripheral neuropathy is diabetes.
Alcoholism
Excess alcohol use can starve your body of its essential nutrients, leading to neuropathy in some cases.
Infections
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the herpes virus, syphilis, and Lyme disease can damage nerve fibers and cause neuropathy.
Autoimmune diseases
Some autoimmune diseases that impact nerve tissue and lead to neuropathy are rheumatoid arthritis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and lupus.
Injury
Peripheral neuropathy caused by nerve damage can result from a sports injury, auto accident, bad fall, or compressed nerve.
Nutrition
In many cases, neuropathy is the result of a vitamin B deficiency caused by poor nutrition.
What are the symptoms of neuropathy?
Neuropathy symptoms vary from person to person and depend on which nerves have been affected. Some of the most common symptoms of neuropathy include:
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Coordination problems
- Loss of sensation
- Pain
- Feeling of wearing gloves or socks when you’re not
- Burning sensation
- Muscle weakness
- Cramps
- Muscle spasms
- Loss of muscle tone
- Difficulties with muscle movement
- Diarrhea
- Difficulties urinating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
If you are suffering from autonomic neuropathy, you may experience changes in your blood pressure or heart rate, sexual dysfunction, and even unintentional weight loss.
How is neuropathy treated?
Neuropathy cannot be cured, but you can manage your symptoms with lifestyle and diet changes. Some common treatments for neuropathy include:
Physical therapy
Targeted exercises and stretches, medical massages, and more can help restore your lost strength and improve your balance and range of motion.
Mechanical aids
Specially designed shoes and braces can improve your range of mobility and decrease foot pain caused by neuropathy.
Nutrition and lifestyle changes
A diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals can help reduce your neuropathy symptoms. It’s also important to improve muscle strength through regular exercise, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting your alcohol intake.
With the right treatment plan at Paladin Chiropractic, you can lead an active life free of neuropathic pain. To schedule an appointment with the team, call or book online today.
