What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a condition caused by nerve damage that usually affects your peripheral nervous system. Your peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves that branch out from your spine and extend through your body. It includes your sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves.
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of neuropathy. Other conditions that cause neuropathy include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Lyme disease
- Shingles
- Hepatitis
- Tumors
- Bone marrow disorders
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Hypothyroidism
Your lifestyle can also contribute to your risk of neuropathy. For example, overconsumption of alcohol or a vitamin deficiency can lead to nerve damage. You can also develop neuropathy from a traumatic injury or accident.
What are the symptoms of neuropathy?
Neuropathy symptoms usually affect your extremities: your feet, legs, hands, and arms. Some of the signs of neuropathy include:
- Sharp, burning pain
- Numbness
- Tingling or electrical sensations
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of coordination and balance
- Sensitivity to touch
- Reduced sensation — you might feel like you’re wearing gloves or socks
It’s less common, but if neuropathy affects your autonomic nerves, you might also develop symptoms including heat intolerance, abnormal sweating, and bowel or bladder problems.
How is neuropathy diagnosed?
If you have neuropathy symptoms, Dr. Seif-Eddeine performs neurological tests to evaluate your reflexes, muscle tone, strength, and balance. He might also use electromyography and other nerve conduction studies to locate your nerve damage.
In some cases, he might also order bloodwork to check for diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or other health problems that could cause your symptoms.
How is neuropathy treated?
Dr. Seif-Eddeine provides conservative treatment plans to alleviate your neuropathy symptoms. Depending on your individual needs, he might prescribe medication, including pain relievers, anti-seizure drugs, or antidepressants. You may also find that some topical treatments relieve your symptoms.
Dr. Seif-Eddeine can also recommend nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, or spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to stop the pain signals from traveling to your brain. He could also prescribe physical therapy to help you regain your strength, balance, and coordination.
If you are struggling with neuropathy symptoms, call the team at Arizona Neurology Care for expert assessment and treatment.
