NEUROPATHY TREATMENTS
Twenty million Americans are affected by neuropathy every year. It’s sometimes the cause of that pins and needles feeling you get in your feet, hands, back, and thighs. Many physicians don’t yet have a firm grasp on it. However, at Pivotal Health and Wellness in Lake Worth, our team is committed to providing support for any eventuality neuropathy might bring up. Go online or call to book an appointment today and learn more about your treatment options.
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What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a medical condition resulting from damaged or destroyed nerve cells that can cause numbness, weakness, and tingling or burning pain. Neuropathy affects the nerves of the peripheral nervous system and can be inherited or acquired through medical conditions such as diabetes, chemotherapy, kidney failure, or autoimmune diseases. When neuropathy is a side effect or caused by other medical conditions, treatment is tailored first to treat the underlying condition which then reduces the severity of the nerve pain.
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Neuropathy refers to damage in your peripheral nerves. These nerves are located outside your brain and spinal cord. They send information from your central nervous system, brain, and spinal cord to the rest of your body.
Though neuropathy is an umbrella term, it causes a streamlined series of complications that include numbness, weakness, and pain in your hands and feet. Neuropathy affects:
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Sensory nerves that handle the sensation
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Motor nerves that control muscle movement
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Autonomic nerves that regulate blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and bladder function
Different Types of Neuropathy
There are three main types of neuropathy:
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Mononeuropathy, when only one nerve is affected (like in carpal tunnel syndrome)
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Multiple mononeuropathies, when two or more nerves in different areas are impacted.
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Polyneuropathy, when there’s damage to multiple nerves in the same area.
Causes of Neuropathy
The causes of neuropathy are often related to various conditions throughout the body. The most common cause of neuropathy is diabetes, which damages nerves because of high blood sugar levels. High alcohol intake, cancer treatments, and genetics can also trigger neuropathy.
Other diseases and injuries that lead to nerve damage include:
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Chronic kidney disease
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Lyme disease
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Shingles
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B12 deficiency
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HIV/HIV treatment medicine
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Guillain-Barré Syndrome
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Chronic liver disease
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Lymphoma and Myeloma
Symptoms of Neuropathy
Symptoms of neuropathy vary according to each patient and the affected nerve. Symptoms include the following:
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Permanent or temporary numbness
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Organ or gland dysfunction
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Lack of coordination
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Muscle weakness
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Tingling, prickling, or burning sensation
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Changes in blood pressure
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Sensitivity to touch
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Paralysis
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Bladder and sexual function complications