Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that describes nerve damage. The nerves that are located outside the brain and the spinal cord are called peripheral nerves and when these nerves get damaged, it causes numbness and pain. The peripheral nerves do the job of sending signals to the brain and thus damage leads to malfunction of the central nervous system in the body. Additionally, someone with damaged nerves might also face challenges related to their blood circulation, digestive system functioning and urination.

Damage to the peripheral nerves can be a result of an accident or an injury. However, the most common condition is diabetes which leads to stabbing pain and tingling sensation caused by peripheral neuropathy. Today’s post is most helpful for individuals who believe that metabolic problems like diabetes have made them vulnerable to burning and tingling pain. Keep on reading to learn about the best treatment and prevention tips.

How do you know that you have peripheral neuropathy?

Nerve damage symptoms may vary from person to person. Depending on the type of nerve that is affected, the intensity of the problem can differ from others. In general, there are three types of nerves, i.e. sensory nerves, motor nerves and autonomic nerves. Based on the nerve type, the signs of the problem can vary. Below is a description of common signs of nerve damage:

• Tingling sensations in legs and arms
• Numbness in legs that gradually moves upward
• Burning sensations and throbbing pains
• Painful sensations with rubbing of sheets or blankets
• Muscle weakness
• Dizziness and lack of coordination
• Excessive sweating or no sweating at all
• Bowel movement problems
• Low blood pressure

What causes peripheral neuropathy?

Nerve damage is often associated with genetic problems or accidents and injuries. Though there are certain health conditions that might result in the signs and symptoms listed in the previous section.

• Diabetes: Uncontrolled blood sugar levels are the most common reason that diabetics are often seen searching for the best peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease treatment. Nerve damage and affected blood circulation levels affect almost half of the diabetic population.
• Kidney disease: When kidneys fail to function properly, the above listed signs of peripheral neuropathy can be observed in some cases.
• Liver disease: Similarly, liver diseases and underactive thyroid can also lead to peripheral neuropathy.
• Infections: A large variety of viral and bacterial infections can increase the vulnerability to developing peripheral neuropathy.
• Auto-immune disease: Vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis and Guillain-Barre syndrome are considered some of the common diseases that lead to nerve damage.
• Lifestyle factors: Lack of nutrients in diet, excessive alcoholism and exposure to toxins and industrial chemicals are also studied as the underlying causes of nerve damage.
• Vitamin deficiency: If someone struggles to maintain their nerve health, they are most likely diagnosed with a deficiency of B and E vitamins.

Is it possible to prevent nerve damage?

Experts recommend that managing a healthy lifestyle is the best option for the prevention of peripheral vascular disease and peripheral nerve damage. If you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, try every possible thing to manage the medical condition to minimise the risk factors of getting nerve damage.

It is suggested to eat foods that are rich in Vitamin B-12. Regular exercise is also considered helpful in preventing the complications of nerve damage. Additionally, you should avoid putting pressure on your nerves. If you are diabetic and experience that repetitive motions are causing stress on your feet, then you should talk to a foot doctor and get yourself the best-fitted and adequately cushioned footwear.

When to see a doctor?

Early diagnosis is beneficial for minimising the complications of nerve damage. Seek expert guidance for peripheral vascular disease treatment and peripheral neuropathy if you notice tingling and burning that is causing weakness in your hands and legs. Delay in treatment can lead to severe damage and eventually amputation. Therefore, it is suggested to seek medical care as soon as possible to control the symptoms.

Nerve related problems usually start from the feet, so it is best to book a consultation with a podiatrist. These are experts in vascular and neurological assessment. Podiatrists are also known as foot doctors who can perform a touch test assessment or use a doppler ultrasound to investigate circulation damage and nerve damage. With the help of a tuning fork, a podiatrist can assess the level of sensation in your feet. Based on the diagnosis, condition management education and footwear advice are given to the patients.

Closing thoughts

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are manageable. Thus, it can be concluded that you need to educate yourself about the best practices to care for yourself in case of certain medical conditions like diabetes and arthritis. For best self-care tips regarding the lack of sensation in feet, contact board-certified foot doctors at Suncoast Podiatry. It is a widely recognized clinic for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a variety of foot and leg conditions. Visit the link given below for diabetic foot care assessment and potential conditions.

https://www.suncoastpodiatry.com.au/

https://www.suncoastpodiatry.com.au/contact-us/