What Is Neuropathy - Learn About Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment
Damage to nerves in the peripheral nervous system or dysfunction can lead to weakness, tingling sensation, or numbness. This condition is known as neuropathy. It generally happens in peripheral nerves, so we call it peripheral neuropathy. However, conditions like proximal neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy are also known.
In this post, we will be discussing peripheral neuropathy. Usually, peripheral neuropathy occurs in nerves emerging from the spinal cord and traveling to the upper and lower extremities.
You can get the best orthopedics by searching for "Mason neuropathy." You can find various specialists who can treat this condition and get you back on track.
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
Compression or inflammation of a nerve can lead to loss of sensory stimulus or discomfort.
Some common symptoms include:
Pain, running along the path of nerves.
Tingling sensation.
Muscle weakness.
Neck pain.
Back pain.
Shoulder and hip pain.
Loss of balance.
Sleep disturbance.
Some patients feel severe pain while performing some physical activity, but the pain is reduced when they rest. However, some patients are unable to sleep or sit but can walk without feeling much pain. How a patient's body reacts to peripheral neuropathy differs significantly.
Causes of peripheral neuropathy.
Neuropathy can cause many things. The list of causes can be never-ending. Some common reasons for neuropathy have been mentioned below:
Traumatic injuries: accidents or injuries can directly damage the nerve.
Herniated discs: the bulge of the disc compresses the nerve root. Compression leads to neuropathy.
Sciatica: herniated disc or spinal stenosis can lead to sciatica, causing compression of the nerve.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: When the nerves in the wrist are pressurized, causing neuropathy, it is known as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Diabetes: high glucose level can damage nerves in the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis: some patients suffering from RA develop peripheral neuropathy.
These mentioned conditions have been seen repeatedly in patients suffering peripheral neuropathy.
Treatment for peripheral neuropathy.
Treatment has 3 phases:
Phase 1: This phase focuses on reducing the pain.
Phase 2: This phase focuses on healing the damaged nerve.
Phase 3: This phase aims to keep you pain-free by maintaining good health conditions.
Peripheral neuropathy can be treated with non-surgical methods. In severe cases, surgery would be required.
In most cases, non-surgical treatment is sufficient. Non-surgical methods include:
Chiropractic procedures.
Physiotherapy includes therapeutic exercise.
Massage therapy.
Nerve blocks.
In some instances, when the nerve gets compressed due to the presence of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor, surgery is generally required to access the tumor and remove it.
Peripheral neuropathy decreases a patient's mobility, and in severe cases where the nerve is excessively compressed, it can lead to paralysis of the area supplied by the nerve.
If a patient faces any of the above symptoms, contact your nearest orthopedic and get immediate medical care.
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