Types of Peripheral Neuropathy and How You Can Relieve the Symptoms

A tingling sensation in your hands and feet is common when your neurons malfunction. Arlington neuropathy experts record that once your nerve cells malfunction, the communication between them and your brain is disrupted. As a result, you may feel numbness and muscle weakness in the affected part of your body. Neuropathy pain begins from your hands before it travels to other organs of your body.   

What Are the Different Types of Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy comes in different kinds, all of which stem from various causes, including diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome. Your doctor will diagnose your neuropathy type based on the resulting problems or the source of the damage. Thus, the various kinds of neuropathy include:

·         Mononeuropathy

You are likely to suffer from mononeuropathy when the damage happens on a single peripheral nerve. Common causes of this neuropathy type include physical injuries such as an accident. However, prolonged pressure on the nerve resulting from being in a sedentary position for more extended hours or repetitive motions may trigger the condition. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a typical mononeuropathy type that happens when you compress the nerve traveling through your wrist.

·         Polyneuropathy

The condition happens when several of your peripheral nerves malfunction simultaneously. Polyneuropathy results from various causes, including complications from ailments like cancer, poor nutrition, or alcohol abuse. Diabetic neuropathy (typical when you have diabetes) is a type of polyneuropathy that happens when you poorly control your sugar levels.

·         Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy

Prevalent in individuals with diabetes, this type of polyneuropathy happens when the nerves distant from your central nervous system are the first to malfunction. As a result, you may experience pain and symmetrical numbness in your feet.

What Symptoms Are You Likely to Have With Peripheral Neuropathy?

Neuropathy signs are highly dependable on your condition’s root cause. The condition mainly affects the nerves in your feet and hands that sense pain or heat and cold. As a result, you are likely to experience mild or painful sensations that worsen mostly at night. Besides the sensations, other symptoms you may experience include:

·         Reflex loss.

·         Sensitivity to heat and touch.

·         Numbness, especially in your hands or feet.

·         Muscle weakness or wasting (mostly in your hands and feet).

·         Sexual dysfunction.

·         Dizziness.

·         Loss of balance.

·         Hand or feet weakness.

·         Cramping or pain.

·         Paralysis.

·         Organs or gland dysfunction.

What Are Your Treatment Options When You Have Neuropathy?

There are various options your doctor may recommend to ease your neuropathy symptoms. However, your treatment will depend on your symptoms’ severity and the nerve damage. Therefore, your treatment options might include:

·         Medications

Your doctor may prescribe some medications to address your mild or moderate symptoms. Nonetheless, you will most likely get relief from a particular category of medications that impact your pain pathways.

·         Surgery

A surgical procedure may be your best option when your doctor wants to relieve pressure from your nerves.

·         Nerve Stimulation

The treatment prompts your doctor to place an electrode along your peripheral nerve to turn off your pain signals.

Neuropathy may lead to mental or physical strain, especially when you fail to seek professional help. Seek immediate help from your doctor to get relief from neuropathy pain and live a comfortable life.