Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nerves. These are the nerves that connect your spinal cord to the rest of your body.
Damage to the peripheral nerves often results in sensory (feeling) and motor (strength) symptoms in the:
Arms
Legs
Hands
Feet
Other parts of the body can also be affected. Symptoms depend on which nerves are involved. They can range from mild to severe and may seem worse at night. Sensations and pain may occur in the upper or lower limbs and move toward the trunk (eg, from the feet to the calves).
Bearing this is mind, this pain can affect the ability to walk for some. Treating the underlying illness can decrease or eliminate symptoms. For instance, if it is caused by diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels may help. In some cases, neuropathy caused by medications or toxins is completely reversed when these substances are stopped or avoided. Correction of vitamin B12 deficiency often improves symptoms.
Physical Therapy
Certain exercises may help stretch shortened or contracted muscles and increase joint flexibility. In long-standing cases, splinting the joint may be required to protect and rest it, while maintaining proper alignment.
Orthotics (supports and braces) may help with:
Deformities
Balance issues
Muscle weakness
Maintaining physical activity is also key.
Medications
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications are often used to ease discomfort.
Drugs to treat depression and prevent convulsions sometimes relieve neuropathy symptoms. These medications are often given at lower dosages. Commonly used antidepressants include:
Pregabalin (Lyrica)—recently approved for peripheral neuropathy
For severe and potentially life-threatening cases (such as Guillain-Barre syndrome ), treatment includes:
Steroids (such as prednisone )
Intravenous immunoglobulins
Other Therapies
These therapies are aimed at reducing symptoms and may include:
Surgery
Surgery can relieve the pressure on nerves. For example, surgeons commonly release fibrous bands in the wrist to treat carpal tunnel syndrome .
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Hello Anon
Thank you for writing!
Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nerves. These are the nerves that connect your spinal cord to the rest of your body.
Damage to the peripheral nerves often results in sensory (feeling) and motor (strength) symptoms in the:
Arms
Legs
Hands
Feet
Other parts of the body can also be affected. Symptoms depend on which nerves are involved. They can range from mild to severe and may seem worse at night. Sensations and pain may occur in the upper or lower limbs and move toward the trunk (eg, from the feet to the calves).
Bearing this is mind, this pain can affect the ability to walk for some. Treating the underlying illness can decrease or eliminate symptoms. For instance, if it is caused by diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels may help. In some cases, neuropathy caused by medications or toxins is completely reversed when these substances are stopped or avoided. Correction of vitamin B12 deficiency often improves symptoms.
Physical Therapy
Certain exercises may help stretch shortened or contracted muscles and increase joint flexibility. In long-standing cases, splinting the joint may be required to protect and rest it, while maintaining proper alignment.
Orthotics (supports and braces) may help with:
Deformities
Balance issues
Muscle weakness
Maintaining physical activity is also key.
Medications
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications are often used to ease discomfort.
Drugs to treat depression and prevent convulsions sometimes relieve neuropathy symptoms. These medications are often given at lower dosages. Commonly used antidepressants include:
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
Desipramine (Norpramin)
Imipramine (Tofranil)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Commonly used anticonvulsants may include:
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Pregabalin (Lyrica)—recently approved for peripheral neuropathy
For severe and potentially life-threatening cases (such as Guillain-Barre syndrome ), treatment includes:
Steroids (such as prednisone )
Intravenous immunoglobulins
Other Therapies
These therapies are aimed at reducing symptoms and may include:
Relaxation training
Biofeedback
Walking
Exercise
Yoga
Warm baths
Massage
Acupuncture
Transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation
Surgery
Surgery can relieve the pressure on nerves. For example, surgeons commonly release fibrous bands in the wrist to treat carpal tunnel syndrome .
I hope this helps,
December 3, 2018 - 5:17amSusan
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