What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to the nerves. This damage can lead to loss of sensation in the limbs or other body parts. Many different medical conditions, injuries, or lifestyle habits may lead to peripheral neuropathy symptoms.

Complications of neuropathy can include:

• Numbness
• Pins and needles sensation in hand, feet, or limbs
• Infection from an injury that you cannot feel
• Falls from the loss of sensation and weakness

Many conditions may cause peripheral neuropathy, including:

• Autoimmune diseases : Such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, Guillain-Barre syndrome, vasculitis, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
• Diabetes : Greater than half of the people with diabetes will develop some neuropathy.
• Infections : Including Lyme disease, certain bacterial or viral infections, shingles, hepatitis B and C, Epstein-Barr virus, leprosy, HIV, and diphtheria.
• Inherited disorders : Such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease causes damage to the peripheral nerves, which may lead to neuropathy.
• Tumors : Growths can develop on nerves or press against nerves. Noncancerous (benign) growths and cancerous (malignant) growths can both cause neuropathy.
• Bone marrow disorders : This includes Monoclonal Gammopathies (an abnormal protein in the blood;) Myeloma (a form of bone cancer;) Lymphoma (a blood cancer;) and Amyloidosis (a group of diseases where abnormal proteins build up in the tissue.)
• Other diseases : Including liver disease, kidney disease, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), and connective tissue disorders.
• Alcoholism : Inadequate dietary choices made by sufferers of alcoholism can lead to vitamin deficiencies, causing neuropathy.
• Exposure to poisonous substances : Harmful substances include industrial chemicals and heavy metals such as mercury and lead.
• Traumas : Such as falls, sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents can detach or damage peripheral nerves. Nerve pressure can result from using crutches, having a cast on, and repetitive motion, such as typing and writing for long periods.
• Vitamin deficiencies : Deficiencies in B vitamins. Including B1, B6, and B 12.
• Idiopathic : In a number of cases, there no identifiable cause for neuropathy.

Make Lifestyle Choices That are Healthy and Support Your Nerve Health

These habits will help support your nerve health:

• Eat a diet rich in vegetables - fruits, whole grains, and lean protein to help keep your nerves healthy.
• Avoid components that may cause nerve damage - Including repetitive motions, remaining in cramped positions that put pressure on nerves, exposure to toxic chemicals, smoking, and drinking large amounts of alcohol.
• Take vitamins - Some vitamin deficiencies can worsen the nerve damage and aggravate the condition. Vitamins B & D are two vitamins that your physician may recommend you add to your diet, which can help with your neuropathy.
• Exercise regularly - With your doctor’s approval, try to get at least 30 minutes to one hour of exercise three times a week. Regular exercise increases the blood flow throughout your body. Exercise can also reduce your blood sugar. Since high blood sugar can contribute to nerve damage, exercise just maybe one natural way to reduce your peripheral neuropathy pain.
• Quit smoking - Did you know one of the effects of smoking tobacco is narrowed blood vessels? That means less blood & oxygen travels through the vessels. Less circulation can cause more pain and numbness. Quitting smoking can greatly help your cells get the oxygen they need to help you get healthy!

Non-Surgical, Non-pharmaceutical solutions to Neuropathic Pain Relief

At Campbell Medical Clinic, our doctors help relieve neuropathic pain and numbness.

Our treatments are:

• Non-surgical
• Non-pharmaceutical
• Non-invasive
• Relieves neuropathic pain caused by a wide range of conditions

If you are interested in exploring neuropathy relief, please reach out. Our staff will listen and answer any questions you may have. We offer free consultations to assess what may be causing your peripheral neuropathy and find out if you are a candidate..