Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment Southlake, TX, Your peripheral nervous system connects the nerves from your brain and spinal cord, or central nervous system, to the other parts of your body. Your peripheral nervous system sends information from your brain and spinal cord to the other parts of your body. The peripheral nervous system also sends sensory information to the central nervous system.
Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment.
Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment Southlake, TX is a situation whereby the nerves can no longer function normally as a result of damage to the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. Due to the damage of the nerves, the usual functionalities of the nerves are disrupted. The damage of the nerves might cause you to feel pain even when there is nothing causing pain or prevent you from feeling pains because it is no longer sending pain signals even if something is harming you.
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:
- Tingling in the hands or feet
- Feeling like you are putting on a tight glove or sock
- Sharp, stabbing pains
- Numbness in the hands or feet
- Weak and heavy feeling in the arms and legs
- Regularly dropping things from your hands
- Buzzing or shocking sensation
- Thinning of the skin
- Drop in blood pressure
- Sexual dysfunction, especially in men
- Constipation
- Digestive difficulty
- Diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- Heat intolerance
- Excessive sweating or not being able to sweat
- Bowel, bladder or digestive problems
- Changes in blood pressure
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Causes of peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment Southlake, TX is caused by a number of conditions. Health conditions that can cause peripheral neuropathy include:
Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Guillain-Barre syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and vasculitis affect the peripheral nervous system in various ways. Chronic inflammation and damage to tissues, as well as pressure caused by inflammation, can all lead to severe nerve pain.
Diabetes
Most people with diabetes develop some type of neuropathy. Diabetes is one of the most common causes of nerve damages
Infections
Certain bacteria and viruses directly attack the nerve tissues in the body. These include Lyme disease, shingles, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B and C, leprosy, diphtheria, and HIV.
Inherited disorders
People with a family history of neuropathy are likely to develop the disorder.
Tumors
Cancerous and noncancerous growths can develop on the nerves. Polyneuropathy can arise as a result of some cancers related to the body’s immune response.
Bone marrow disorders
Bone marrow disorders such as an abnormal protein in the blood (monoclonal gammopathies), a form of bone cancer (myeloma), lymphoma and the rare disease amyloidosis can affect the nerves and cause neuropathy.
Other diseases
Some other types of diseases such as kidney disease, liver disease, connective tissue disorders and an underactive thyroid can cause nerve damages.
Alcoholism
Alcohol can have a toxic effect on nerve tissues. Alcoholism can lead to vitamin deficiencies. People who take excess alcohol are at a higher risk of peripheral neuropathy.
Toxic chemicals
Exposure to toxic chemicals like glue, solvents, or insecticides can also cause nerve damage. Exposure to heavy metals such as lead and mercury can also cause nerve damage.
Exposure to poisons
Exposure to poisonous substances and chemicals can cause peripheral neuropathy.
Medications
Certain medications such as anticonvulsants, drugs for bacterial infections, medications for cancer treatment, and some blood pressure medications can cause peripheral neuropathy.
Injury or trauma
Injury or trauma from motor vehicle accidents, fractures, falls or sports injuries are some common causes of nerve damages.
Inactivity
Holding still in a position for too long or inactivity can cause neuropathy.
Increased pressure
Increased pressure on the median nerves can lead to peripheral neuropathy.
Vitamin deficiencies
When the body lacks B vitamins such as B-1, B-6 and B-12, vitamin E and niacin, it could lead to peripheral neuropathy.
Diagnosis
Peripheral Neuropathy Diagnosis.
There are several ways your doctor will diagnose peripheral neuropathy. First, he or she will conduct a physical examination and take your medical history. Your doctor may conductor a neurological examination to check your tendon reflexes, muscle strength and the ability to feel certain sensations.
Other additional tests that may be conducted include:
- Blood tests to check for vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, abnormal immune function and other indications of conditions that can cause peripheral neuropathy.
- Imaging tests such as X-rays, CT or MRI scans can look for herniated disks, tumors or other abnormalities.
- Nerve function tests such as Electromyography (EMG) are used to records electrical activity in your muscles to detect nerve damage.
- Sweat test to measure your body’s ability to sweat.
- Sensory test to measure how you feel touch, vibration, pain and other sensory issues.
- Skin biopsy to look for a reduction in nerve endings.
Treatment
Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy.
Self-care
Some people have been able to find relief from peripheral neuropathy pains. Regular exercises, massage, meditation, and yoga can help relieve nerve pains.
Pain relievers
Over-the-counter pain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can help to relieve mild symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Medications containing opioids, such as tramadol or oxycodone can be prescribed when other treatments fail.
Anti-seizure medications
Medications such as gabapentin, and pregabalin may be used to relieve nerve pain.
Topical treatments
Capsaicin cream can cause some improvements in peripheral neuropathy.
Antidepressants
Certain tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, doxepin, and nortriptyline, have been found to help relieve peripheral neuropathy. Serotonin and norepinephrine, duloxetine, venlafaxine might ease the pain of peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
When electrodes are placed on the skin, they deliver a gentle electric current at varying frequencies. TENS helps to stimulate the nerve and also helps to suppress the activities of the immune system.
Plasma exchange
This involves taking out some amount of blood from the body and placing the blood in a centrifuge. Antibodies and protein-rich blood is extracted and then injected back into the body. The high level of proteins works as antibodies.
Physical therapy
Engaging in physical therapies and exercises can help improve muscle weakness and increase body movements.
Alternative treatments
Some alternative treatments such as chiropractic and acupuncture can also be used to relieve nerve pains.
Surgery
Surgery is needed for neuropathies caused by pressure on nerves. The surgery may be used to remove the tumors that cause pressure on the nerves.