What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a painful nerve condition that can cause various symptoms, from shooting and burning pain to weakness and numbness. It is a complicated condition that can result from many causes, not all of which the patient can entirely control. Though peripheral neuropathy is difficult to treat, there are options. This article will take a closer look at this condition and how we at Restoration Wellness can help patients prevent the condition from getting worse before achieving relief.

Peripheral neuropathy explained

The peripheral nerves are all the nerves outside the central nervous system (the brain and spine). They exchange signals between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. When nerves are damaged by injury, disease, or infection, the result is symptoms including pain, tingling, weakness, loss of motor control and balance, and numbness. Symptoms usually start in the hands and feet but can affect any part of the body.

After determining the underlying cause, the next step toward planning treatment is identifying the type of peripheral neuropathy. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, there are over 100 types of this condition, but all types fall into one of four basic categories:

• Motor: Affects nerves that control voluntary muscle movements, such as moving the hands and feet

• Sensory: Impacts nerves responsible for physical sensations, such as pain felt from touching a hot stove or sensing heat and cold

• Autonomic nerve: The type of neuropathy affecting involuntary functions, such as heartbeat and breathing

• Combination: A mix of any of the above three

Causes

Peripheral neuropathy can affect anyone but is more common in individuals with certain conditions. Diabetes is a leading cause, with the National Institutes of Health reporting that about 60 to 70 percent of those with diabetes develop some form of the condition. Peripheral neuropathy can also result from certain hereditary conditions and autoimmune disorders. Excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to toxins and certain medications, nutrient deficiencies, infections, and injuries can also lead to the condition.

Diagnosis

To diagnose the condition, a practitioner must get a full medical history and perform a neurological exam on the patient. Additional tests to narrow down or confirm the diagnosis may include:

• MRI

• CT scan

• Blood tests

• Nerve and skin biopsies

• Nerve function tests

The goal is to pinpoint the cause of peripheral neuropathy, discover the type, and measure the extent of the nerve damage.

Treatment options

A good treatment plan often starts with finding the underlying cause of this condition and addressing that. When treating and managing neuropathy, practitioners take a range of approaches, from physical therapy to surgery and medication. The individual treatment plan depends on the patient's unique circumstances.

At our clinic, we offer an alternative to some of these more traditional treatments. We use nonsurgical interventions that do not involve prescription medications. Through a combination of state-of-the-art therapies and nutritional support, we are helping patients' nerves heal and reducing the symptoms of this condition.

You can find relief

The team at Restoration Wellness is helping patients take back their lives from the pain and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. No one should have to live with this condition. To find out if you are a candidate for this treatment, contact our caring team today.

Request an appointment here: https://www.restowell.com or call {{DBA}} at {{PHONE}} for an appointment in our Hillsboro office.

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