If you’re struggling with neuropathy, you’re in good company. Research suggests that at least 20 million Americans have some degree of nerve damage. Experts also feel that this number is, in reality, much higher due to underreporting and misdiagnosing.
Numbers aside, dealing with nerve damage can be frustrating and our team here at Complete Neurological Care understands this, which is why we offer dedicated neuropathy services.
As neurologists, we appreciate the complexity of the human nervous system, and we work tirelessly to help our patients find relief from nerve damage.
Here, we explore some general information about neuropathy and how we go about diagnosing and treating the problem.
There are two main parts to your body’s nervous system: Your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) serves as a command center for the peripheral nervous system throughout your body.
Your peripheral nervous system is not only responsible for your sensory experiences, but it also governs motor and autonomic functions.
For the purposes of this discussion, we’re going to focus on nerve damage in your sensory nerves, which can lead to symptoms like pain, numbness, and tingling.
One of the leading causes of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes — half of people with diabetes eventually develop diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to unregulated levels of glucose in their blood.
Other causes of peripheral neuropathy include direct trauma to nerves, infections, vitamin deficiencies (largely B vitamins), autoimmune diseases, and metabolic issues.
No matter how your neuropathy developed, our goal is to properly diagnose and treat the condition. Through nerve conduction studies, electromyography, as well as a review of your symptoms and your health, we can determine the extent of the neuropathy and which approach is best.
In cases where diabetes is present, the first and most important step is to focus on regulating your blood sugar levels to prevent the progression of the neuropathy. This same approach applies if an infection or other disease led to the nerve damage: Address the underlying disease.
At the same time, we work with you to control the symptoms of your neuropathy, which we accomplish through pain management techniques, such as:
We also look for other ways to decompress or encourage nerve health, such as through physical therapy, exercise, vitamin supplements, and adjustments along your spine.
Nerves can, and do, grow back, but the earlier we intervene, the better able we are to prevent irreversible damage in your peripheral nerves. If some of the damage is irreversible, rest assured, we work with you on long-term neuropathy management plans that will help to greatly reduce your symptoms.
To explore your treatment options for neuropathy further, please contact one of our offices in Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, or Margate, Florida, to schedule an appointment with one of our neuropathy specialists.
