Researchers believe that the pain threshold is different for individuals. While most can take some amount of pain, others cannot. Moreover, the amount of pain one can take could also depend on the gender of a person. However, there are no pieces of evidence available to prove this.
How Does Peripheral Neuropathy Affect? Treatments For Peripheral Neuropathy
Neuropathy in any sense is a painful condition and cannot be ignored in any sense. This blog will specifically be discussing the concept of Peripheral Neuropathy and how it affects the patients. For it to be helpful for you, we will also discuss the treatment and prevention of it. Read along to know how it unfolds.
What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral Neuropathy is a complex disease that can viciously affect your body. It is particularly true as it damages the nerves connecting the spine and brain nerve. Brain nerves help the body understand signals such as responding to stimuli by reacting in a particular situation.
This could save us from a dangerous one or even hold our hands to go through a safer one. Since we are well aware of its importance, we could say that in the absence of any our life wouldn’t be the same, and navigating through it could be difficult. Peripheral Neuropathy can either affect one nerve or multiple ones. Studying its symptoms and causes can be a bit helpful.
Symptoms Of Peripheral Neuropathy
Some of its major symptoms include:
1. Pain- It’s a sharp, pinching pain that can be stinging for a while.
2. Tingling And Numbness- The individual could feel a numbing effect around the muscles and body.
3. Muscle Weakness- Due to all these, the muscles are generally weak and are difficult to have a movement.
4. Sensitivity- Touching or even a slight movement could be painful beyond the limit.
5. Loss Of Reflexes- Since the nerves are not working, it is a possibility that the reflex is lost and a reaction to action can be difficult.
Causes Of Peripheral Neuropathy
So what could be the reason for these symptoms? The major causes are:
1. Diabetes
Diabetes is a life-long condition that leads to the excess or shortage of insulin production in the body. This also affects the blood sugar level in the body.
2. Autoimmune Diseases
These are the kinds of diseases where the nervous system starts attacking your body like lupus.
3. Infections
This could be viral or bacterial infections that can damage the nerves cutting off their ability to send signals to the brain.
4. Trauma
This could include injuries, accidents, or excessive pressure applied to the nerves due to a fall.
5. Toxins
Handling of certain toxins can also lead to the numbing of nerves.
6. Genetics
Researchers believe that neuropathy could have a genetic predisposition.
Diagnosis And Tests Of Peripheral Neuropathy
When these symptoms are identified, tests to identify the disease are conducted. It could include:
- Taking Medical History– Firstly, you will be asked to talk in detail about any conditions you might have or accidents you might have been a part of. This is important because of the implication of the pain and ruling out anything else.
- Physical Examination– This might include taking a detailed study of the body parts including nerves and how they might be triggered.
- Nerve Conduction Studies– This type of diagnostic test is conducted to determine the working of nerves. It is often placed with EMG Electromyography which will then record the electrical impulses with the help of electrodes.
- Blood Tests– Detailed blood tests are conducted to determine the Vitamin deficiencies as well as blood sugar levels to know the implications.
- Imaging Tests– MRI or CT scans to understand the placement of nerves and how they might have stopped working.
Management And Treatment Of Peripheral Neuropathy
Managing the condition includes:
1. Addressing Underlying Causes– On many occasions, an underlying cause leads to the problem. This could be diabetes or autoimmune.
2. Medications– Pain relievers, anti-seizure, and antidepressants are often prescribed to alleviate pain or deal with mental health problems.
3. Physical Therapy– When one is affected by peripheral neuropathy, their balance is affected, which is when physical therapy helps them rehabilitate.
4. Occupational Therapy– If a person has a problem conducting day-to-day activities, they might need occupational therapy to help them navigate through life.
5. Topical Creams– Creams and patches are also applied to the area of pain to get temporary relief.
6. Foot Care– Due to the absence of reflex, there are chances that the foot may become vulnerable to wounds, so it is important to take care of your feet.
7. Pain Management Techniques– These could include heat and cold therapy to help the nerves calm down.
8. Alternative Therapies– In many situations, acupuncture, and herbal supplements are taken to relieve the pain.
Prevention Of Peripheral Neuropathy
Preventing peripheral neuropathy is not a difficult way. You can do that by:
1. Manage Underlying Conditions– When you are diagnosed with diabetes or autoimmune conditions, you should pay extra attention to the disease so that it doesn’t escalate in any way.
2. Avoid Toxins– In case, your job demands you deal with toxins that might numb the nerve, try to handle it with gloves or hand gears to avoid spillage.
3. Healthy Lifestyle– Avoid smoking or dealing with alcohol and eat a balanced diet. Make exercise a part of your life to ensure healthy muscle movement.
4. Regular Checkups– If you are experiencing pain of any kind, you might want to visit a doctor to assess the situation.
Takeaway
Peripheral Neuropathy is a serious condition that needs constant care and attention. The causes of it are not fully known but there are ways to treat or manage it. Taking care of your underlying conditions along with taking proper treatment and medications is crucial to letting the condition subside.
Even with the symptoms, you might need to go for detailed tests which could be blood as well. Moreover, you should be careful about the management so that the pain doesn’t elevate in any circumstance. Prevention of neuropathy should have a detailed plan as well. If not anything else, you should exercise and diet.
References:
- Hammi C, Yeung B. Neuropathy (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542220/). 2022 Jul 4. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Accessed 10/14/2022.
- U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke | ninds.nih.gov. Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet (https://www.ninds.nih.gov/peripheral-neuropathy-fact-sheet). Accessed 10/14/2022.
- National Eye Institute (U.S.).Epidemiology of peripheral neuropathy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1074084/
