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Neuropathy – Symptoms, causes, and management

Neuropathy – Symptoms, causes, and management

Nerve damage or neuropathy can stem from different conditions, such as diabetes, infections, or treatments like chemotherapy. Further, neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy is not a single health condition but rather a term to refer to different health conditions involving damage to the peripheral nerves and the symptoms linked to those issues. Though this condition is irreversible, you can take remedies and treatments for neuropathy for symptom management or preventing neuropathy.

Symptoms
The human body generally has three types of nerves: autonomic, sensory, and motor. Peripheral neuropathy can have various types, and medical professionals diagnose it based on the specific group of nerves that are affected. These groups include:

Autonomic
These nerves are responsible for controlling the body’s internal processes that are not visible, such as digestion, heartbeat, and breathing.

Sensory
These nerves are responsible for transmitting information related to touch, pain, cold, and hot sensations.

Motor
These nerves are responsible for controlling muscle movements such as speaking, walking, and using your arms or hands.

Peripheral neuropathy may involve a single group, two groups, or all three. At times, it affects a single nerve only. It is known as mononeuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy symptoms depend on the type of neuropathy.

The main autonomic neuropathy symptoms are:
Diarrhea or constipation
A feeling of sickness, belching, or bloating
Rapid heart rate
Loss of bowel control
Dizziness or fainting upon standing from low blood pressure
Problems with sexual function
Sweating too little or excessively
Inability to empty your bladder wholly

The main sensory neuropathy symptoms are:
Prickling and tingling sensation (known as “pins and needles”)
Numbness
Reduced pain or hot and cold sensation
Heightened pain from typically non-painful stimuli, such as light touch
Burning or sharp pain
Loss of balance or coordination

The main motor neuropathy symptoms are:
Twitching
Foot drop
Muscle cramps
Muscle weakness
Paralysis
Muscle wasting

Causes
Injuries
Peripheral nerves can be severed or damaged by injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents, falls, or sports injuries.

Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease affects the normal functioning of the kidneys and can lead to chemical or salt imbalances, which can cause neuropathy.

Infections
Nerve damage can be caused by infections such as Lyme disease, HIV infection, or viral illness.

Cancers
Neuropathy is a common symptom of certain cancers, such as multiple myeloma and lymphoma.

Autoimmune disorders
Neuropathy can be caused by autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Guillain-Barré syndrome
Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disease that occurs suddenly when the body’s immune system attacks the nerves, typically triggered by an infection.

Other neuropathy causes include:

Chemotherapy
Folate vitamin or B12 deficiencies
HIV prescription treatments
Exposure to toxins like solvents and insecticides
Some benign tumors affecting nerve tissue
Small blood vessels disorders

Treatments for neuropathy
Some common treatments for neuropathy include:
Prescription treatments
A doctor may recommend topical creams, pain relievers, antidepressants, or anti-seizure medications to relieve symptoms.

Therapies
Different procedures can help in symptom management. These include physical therapy, plasma exchange, spinal cord stimulation, scrambler therapy, and surgery.

Lifestyle changes or home remedies
These include the following:
Taking care of the feet for calluses, cuts, or blisters, especially if one has diabetes
Eating a healthy, nutritious meal rich in vitamins and minerals
Keeping a check on the blood sugar levels
Exercising regularly to improve muscle strength and control blood sugar levels