What Is Peripheral Neuropathy? Nerve Pain Demystified

Imagine you are trying to hold a cup of coffee, but your hands feel numb or weak. Or imagine yourself walking across the room, and every step feels like you are standing on foot-wrenching items. Feelings like these could be the early signs of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.

This neuropathy condition affects the nerves that lie outside your brain and spinal cord. These nerves allow you to move, sense things, and control the functions within your body. When your nerves are hurt, they will no longer transmit accurate information, and sometimes there is no communication at all.

In this blog post, we will explain what this condition is, the reasons behind it, and what it is like in daily life.

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

There are many different forms of peripheral neuropathy. This term is used for any problems that arise from damage to the vast nerves connecting the brain and spinal cord to the body’s other organs.

These nerves mainly have three functions:

• They allow you to feel touch, heat, or discomfort.
• Motor nerves control muscle movement
• The heart beats and the digestive organs work because of autonomic nerves.

The symptoms can vary greatly depending on the affected nerves.

Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms: More Than Just Numbness

For most, the first symptom they notice is that something seems wrong with their feet or hands. Most peripheral neuropathy symptoms begin in a mild way and build up with time. These are some of the usual symptoms seen in people with peripheral neuropathy:

• Feeling as though someone is poking you
• Numbness in hands or feet
• A burning or sharp discomfort, generally feeling worse at night
• Feeling weak in your muscles, making picking things up and balancing tough
• Troubling coordination issues when trying to walk
• Feeling very uncomfortable due to normal room temperatures

There are times when people encounter difficulties with their digestive system, amount of urine produced, or their blood pressure. It is caused by a problem with the autonomic nervous system.

Not everyone experiencing mental health issues will exhibit the same symptoms. People can either experience slight discomfort or be limited by disabling pain.

What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

One of the problems with this condition is that it is not always easy to pinpoint what causes it. On the other hand, there are health concerns that are clearly connected to it. Let’s look at some main factors that can lead to peripheral neuropathy:

1. Diabetes

This is one of the main factors leading to crime. Having high sugar in your blood for a long while can cause nerves in the legs and feet to be damaged.

2. Infections

Sometimes, infections such as Lyme disease, shingles, or HIV can result in nerve swelling and damage.

3. Autoimmune diseases

In certain conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system can attack the nerves in a person’s body.

4. Vitamin deficiencies

A shortage of B1, B6, or B12 vitamins may hinder the activity of nerves.

5. Alcohol abuse

Regular use of alcohol over time can result in nutritional problems and problems with nerves.

6. Medications

Having chemotherapy or using antibiotics as treatment could cause nerve damage as a side effect.

7. Inherited disorders

Certain people inherit conditions that can cause nerve issues to form as they get older.

Many times, doctors are able to figure out the cause. Sometimes, the reason is not clear and cannot be explained. Doctors call this idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.

Living With Peripheral Neuropathy: Small Changes, Big Impact

Working with peripheral neuropathy can be frustrating, mainly when doing everyday things becomes harder. However, simple changes in your routines can really help.

• Because of the risks, people with diabetes must take good care of their feet. Making it a habit to check your feet and choose comfortable shoes may help you steer clear of any possible foot injuries.
• By taking part in physical therapy, you can improve your muscle strength and coordination ability.
• Taking time for meditation or gentle yoga can help reduce the occurrence of symptom flare-ups.
• Proper nutrition supports nerve repair and their regular functioning.

Medication, topical medicines, or nerve stimulation are some pain management treatments used depending on the symptoms a patient experiences.

When to See a Doctor

When you keep feeling tingling, numbness, or pain without explanation, check it out. These feelings can point to the beginning stages of peripheral neuropathy. Treatment early on can help stop the issue from getting worse and allow you more relief.

Tests performed by doctors can identify the affected nerves and the reason behind the problem. Many neurologists may carry out blood tests, test nerve function, or look inside the brain using imaging.

Summing Up!

Peripheral neuropathy rarely makes itself known at first, growing stronger as time goes on. Feeling a little numb in one foot might not seem important, despite the worry peripheral neuropathy causes you. If the nerves are getting damaged, these symptoms will become even more noticeable over time.

Being aware of the symptoms and the reasons for peripheral neuropathy allows you to play an active role in your health. If diabetes, an infection, or some other factor is hurting your blood sugar, listening to your body can prevent worse trouble in the future.

If you ever feel unwell, it’s best to seek answers. Your nerves are the link through which your body sends messages. Once they start giving conflicting signals, you need to listen closely.