Peripheral Neuropathy: Causes And How To Find Relief

Most people have experienced numbness and tingling at one point or the other, usually in the hands and feet. You might notice that this usually happens after you might have applied pressure on your hands or feet while sleeping or sitting. Shaking out your limbs to get the blood flowing usually relieves numbness and restores normal sensation. 

A common sign of peripheral neuropathy is when numbness in the hands, legs, and feet frequently occurs with the way you sleep or sit down not being the cause. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the peripheral nerves in the body, and millions of people worldwide suffer from neuropathy. Discussed below are the causes, symptoms, and treatments for peripheral neuropathy. 

Causes Of Peripheral Neuropathy

This condition can affect anyone regardless of age. Individuals with poorly managed diabetes have an increased risk of developing peripheral neuropathy. This is because the increased blood glucose levels seen in poorly managed diabetes can damage the nerves and cause neuropathy.

Other common causes of peripheral neuropathy include:

• Insufficient vitamin B12 or folate
• Alcoholism
• Infections such as hepatitis C and Lyme disease
• As a side effect from certain types of medications and chemotherapy treatments
• Thyroid disorders
• Trauma
• Autoimmune disorders, e.g. lupus
• Nerve compression can result from repetitive use injury, e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome. 

When the cause of peripheral neuropathy cannot be identified, it is classified as idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. 

Symptoms Of Peripheral Neuropathy

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may vary depending on its severity, cause, and the nerves affected (nerves affected may be sensory, motor, autonomic, or a combination of different nerve types). The major symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:

• Numbness and tingling (paraesthesia): Numbness and tingling in Houston may be felt like a “pins and needles” type of sensation. 
• Freezing or burning pain
• Muscle weakness, twitching, or cramping
• Sharp pain in the limbs may radiate in any direction.
• Difficulty walking
• Loss of coordination and balance 
• Abnormal pulse or blood pressure

How Is Peripheral Neuropathy Treated?

While there is no definitive cure for peripheral neuropathy, various peripheral neuropathy treatment Houston options are available to help manage and improve your condition. Major treatment options for peripheral neuropathy include:

• Medications: Common medications used in treating peripheral neuropathy include pain relievers such as over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and prescription painkillers. Medications containing opioids such as tramadol or oxycodone are usually not prescribed unless all other treatments fail, as these drugs can be addictive. 

Anti-seizure medications developed for the treatment of epilepsy may also relieve nerve pain. Common side effects of anti-seizure medications are dizziness and drowsiness. Topical treatments are also used in the management of symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Antidepressants have also been found to relieve pain as they alter chemical processes in the pain centers of the brain and spinal cord. 

Common side effects of antidepressants include nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain, and changes in appetite. 

• Therapies: Various therapies help to relieve the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is a therapy to ease peripheral neuropathy symptoms. It involves placing electrodes on the skin and delivering a gentle current with changing frequencies. 

Plasma exchange and intravenous immune globulin are also other therapies to ease peripheral neuropathy symptoms. This therapy is aimed at suppressing immune system activity. It involves the removal of blood from the body, separating antibodies and other proteins from the blood, and then returning the blood to the body. In immune globulin therapy, the patient receives high levels of proteins. 

Physical therapy can also be performed to improve movements in individuals with muscle weakness.

• Surgery: Surgeries may be performed to treat neuropathies caused by pressure on nerves. It can also be performed to destroy nerves that may be causing pain and to repair injuries.
• Alternative treatments: Regular exercise, diet modifications, and avoidance of alcohol and tobacco are usually recommended by health care providers. These habits positively impact peripheral neuropathy and can prevent it from getting worse.

Peripheral Neuropathy Chiropractic Treatment in Houston

Peripheral neuropathy can affect any number of nerves and may present with many symptoms. Fortunately, there are treatments for peripheral neuropathy. If you are experiencing any symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, discuss them with your Chiropractor Houston and explore your treatment options. If you’re interested in natural treatments for Peripheral Neuropathy, or you would like to begin chiropractic treatments to keep your body in its best shape and prevent injuries. In that case, you can get in touch with an advanced chiropractic relief Houston today.