Neuropathy – Common symptoms and treatment methods

All is well when the body systems work fine. However, when any one of them is damaged, the effects may be felt in several parts of your body. Same is true with the nervous system, which is one of the important organ systems of the body that carries messages to and from the brain to other parts of the body.

Neuropathy is an umbrella term that refers to general diseases of the malfunctioning of nerves. Damage to the nerves of any part of the body due to an injury or an underlying medical condition is the primary cause of neuropathy.

It is classified not only according to the nerves that are affected or damaged but also according to the location of the nerves. Neuropathy is also classified as per the disease that causes the condition. When the nerves are affected or damaged due to diabetes, then it is classified as diabetic neuropathy.

It is extremely important to identify the right neuropathy symptoms, which would be of great help in getting the most appropriate treatment. To know more about neuropathy, read on.

Neuropathy – Symptoms
There are many factors that cause neuropathy, but irrespective of the causes, neuropathy is associated with some of the characteristic symptoms. However, it is to be remembered that every person who is affected with neuropathy do not have the same symptoms. Also, the severity of the condition has an impact on the symptoms.

Listed below are a few of the common neuropathy symptoms that you should look out for:

• The damage to the sensory nerve is one of the most common causes of neuropathy, and in this case, the symptoms often start to show in the feet of the affected individual. It begins gradually with the loss of sensation in the feet and the legs, which is associated with tingling, numbness, or pain. After that, with the passage of time, it slowly progresses toward the center of the body.
• Another common symptom is the inability to determine the joint position especially in the arms and the legs which result in clumsiness.
• Extreme sensitivity to touch is another sign of neuropathy, which needs to be closely monitored.
• The sensation of pain is lost especially from the legs.
• If the damage has occurred to the motor nerves which control the movement, the symptoms might include abnormal weakness, loss of muscle mass, frequent cramps, loss of reflexes, and loss of ability.
• If the damage occurs to the nerves that help control the function of the glands and the organs, then a wide range of symptoms can occur, which are as follows:
• Nausea or vomiting after the meals or abdominal bloating
• Problems with urinary systems such as difficulty in passing urine, a feeling of incomplete urination, incontinence, etc.
• Erectile dysfunction in men
• Sudden dizziness or fainting
• Problem with the vision such as blurred vision

Treatment for neuropathy
Neuropathy, being a problem with the nerves, is treated by a neurologist. A neurologist is the one who specializes in the disease of nerves and hence is the best person to care for neuropathy.

• The doctor carries out a routine check-up that includes studying the signs and symptoms in detail. This is followed by certain tests to identify the exact cause of the condition. The treatment provided to an individual differs as per the neuropathy symptoms.
• If neuropathy is caused due to a deficiency of a vitamin or vitamins, then an effective vitamin therapy is carried out for the treatment of the affected individual.
• A proper and improved diet with all essential nutrients is recommended for efficiently treating the condition of neuropathy.
• Some medicines are prescribed by the doctor, but these medicines are prescribed according to the type of neuropathy that has affected the individual and the severity of the condition.
• The prevention of intake of any toxic substances and the medicines that affect the nerves are an important part of treating neuropathy.
• In case the patient has diabetes, then the level of sugar in the blood is carefully monitored to slow down the progression of diabetes, which in turn plays a crucial role in curbing neuropathy.
• In some of the cases, physical therapy is carried out to treat neuropathy symptoms, which helps in the retention of strength and also helps to avoid muscle cramps and spasms.
• The ultimate treatment option for neuropathy is surgery, and this is recommended for individuals, whose nerves have been damaged due to an injury or compression of the nerves.

Now that you are aware of the common neuropathy symptoms, if you observe any of it in a loved one, it is always advised to visit and consult a medical expert on time and follow the correct path of treatment.