5 Facts You Should Know About Neuropathy

What is neuropathy and how is a person affected by it? Neuropathy is a disease of one or more of the peripheral nerves causing numbness or weakness. A person who has neuropathy experiences pain, burning and tingling sensations which can be very uncomfortable and make a person unable to function. There are many causes of neuropathy, and one must study the cause to find the best treatment that could work. A person who suffers from neuropathy would definitely want to find relief from the numbness, pain and tingling sensation.

There are common over-the-counter medicines that people can take for the pain. There are also supplements which can help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by neuropathy. Nerve Renew is a supplement for supporting healthy nerves which can be taken alongside prescription medicines because it contains all-natural ingredients. Although each neuropathy patient responds differently to different types of treatment, hopefully, supplements can help ease the pain. To find out more about neuropathy, here are five facts that you should know about this debilitating disease.

1. Common Symptoms of Neuropathy

The typical symptoms of neuropathy include tingling, prickling and burning feeling, temporary or permanent numbness, ultra-sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness and pain. The discomfort that can be felt is not only limited to extremities but also internally such as dysfunction in organs and glands and problem in urinating. It can also be manifested by paralysis.

2. Causes of Neuropathy

What causes neuropathy? Many different factors cause neuropathy. The nerve damage may be due to various diseases. The prevalent one being diabetes, injuries, infections and lack of certain vitamins such as B12. Infections such as leprosy, HIV/AIDS, and syphilis can damage the nerves. Some genetic or inherited disorders can also cause neuropathy. Alcoholism can also cause damage to the nerves.

3. Tests to Diagnose Neuropathy

The initial test for neuropathy involves testing the reflexes and functions of the sensory and motor nerves. Diagnosis will also be based on the medical records and physical examination of the patient to know the severity of the disease. A blood test is done to the patient when neuropathy is suspected to be caused by diabetes or vitamin deficiencies.

4. Treatment of Neuropathy

One needs to know the underlying cause of neuropathy to decide for the best way to treat it or to control the symptoms. Once it is determined, treatment for the underlying cause such as diabetes may eliminate or reduce the symptoms of neuropathy. Surgery is also one of the recommended treatment options when neuropathy is caused by entrapment of nerves by tumors. Common OTC medicines such as Advil or Tylenol can be taken to relieve the pain. Topical treatments such as lidocaine cream can be applied to the affected area.

5. Diet for Neuropathic Persons

Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with neuropathy. Lack of Vitamin B12 leads to the damage of the myelin sheath which surrounds and protects the nerves. Damage to the myelin sheath can cause poor functioning of the nerves. Vitamin B12 may be obtained from meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and milk. Taking vitamin B12 supplements may decrease the risk of neuropathy if the blood test proves that there is a deficiency in that aspect.

When alcoholism is the cause of neuropathy, doing away with drinking can help control the symptoms. In case of neuropathy caused by diabetes, blood sugar should be controlled by eating a diabetes-friendly diet. Note that taking medication for diabetes such as metformin to control blood sugar has a side effect of increasing Vitamin B12 deficiency. Inform your physician so he can look out for vitamin deficiency and possible replacement by taking in supplements.

Neuropathy has such a broad scope that it is hard to discuss sans too many details. Hopefully, the brief discussion on this enervating disease has been informative enough to get on your nerves.