Neuropathy or ‘nerve damage’ affects a group of nerves. As a result, neuropathy leads to muscular weakness, tingling sensation, or numbness in the affected body parts. Peripheral neuropathy may begin in the outer extremities of the body, i.e., hands and feet, but can also impact other parts of the body.
In case if you or any of your loved ones have neuropathic pain, then this blog throws light on critical areas you should know. Also, we’ll discover some effective treatment options like Gabapentin 800mg, Generic Lyrica, and so on, which are popularly prescribed for neuropathic pain.
What is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy usually indicates issues with the peripheral nervous system. The network of nerves outside the brain and the spinal cord is termed the peripheral nervous system. On the other hand, the brain and the spinal cord make up the central nervous system. Let’s understand the working of the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system (CNS).
CNS is the controlling center of the body. The peripheral nervous system connects CNS to other body parts. When things are going smoothly, the network of nerves will allow information to pass easily from the brain and spinal cord.
In the opposite case, if neuropathic pain occurs, the network of nerves gets destroyed or damaged. This disturbs the way how neurons communicate with each other and the brain. Medications like Gabapin may be prescribed at this point to resume communication between damaged nerves.
The most important thing to know is that neuropathic pain may affect a particular nerve, a group of nerves in a specific body area, or many peripheral nerves throughout the body.
How does neuropathic pain feel like?
Neuropathic pain mostly feels like pins & needles (tingling sensations), numbness in the affected area, and weakness. Additionally, it may include sharp sensations, inflammation, stabbing/throbbing pain, or lightening-like pain.
Who can suffer from Neuropathic Pain Damage?
Neuropathic pain in the general population is estimated to have a prevalence ranging between 3% and 17%. Moreover, it is estimated that neuropathic pain damage will affect around 25 – 30% of Americans irrespective of their age. Approximately 8% of older adults over 65 years of age report neuropathic pain to some degree. Here are the typical statistics about people who can suffer from neuropathy:
- 30% of people with HIV
- 30-40% of people who have received chemotherapy for treating cancer
- 60-70% of people having diabetes
Some neuropathic pain damage patients may find relief with the initial treatments like Gabapin 300mg, while some may require higher dosages like Gabapentin 400mg.
What are the causes of Neuropathy?
Neuropathic pain isn’t associated with one health issue but is often triggered by many events and health conditions together:
- Tremors
- Tumors
- Diabetes
- Liver & kidney disorders
- Hypothyroidism
- Genetic disorders
- Vascular disorders
- Imbalanced vitamin levels
- Certain Autoimmune diseases or infections
Common Symptoms of Neuropathy
The symptoms of neuropathic pain damage vary according to the type and area of the nerves involved. If these symptoms appear suddenly, they’re known as acute neuropathy, while it is referred to as chronic neuropathy if the symptoms grow severe with time.
Here is the list of common symptoms of neuropathic pain:
- Lightening-like pain
- Tingling sensations or numbness in the arms and legs
- Extreme sensitivity, severe pain, or changes in sensation
- Loss of coordination leading to imbalance
- Muscle spasms
- Muscular weakness
- Partial paralysis
- Excessive sweating
- Loss of bladder control
- Digestive and bowel movement disorders
- Sexual dysfunction problems
- Unintentional weight loss
Diagnosing Neuropathy
Several tests may be conducted for diagnosing neuropathic pain. As you consult your healthcare provider, they may require you to perform some of the following tests for better examining your medical conditions. The type of tests to be conducted varies based on the kind of nerves damaged.
- Medical history & physical examination
- Neurological exam
- Blood tests
- Imaging reports
- Genetic tests
- QSART test
- Tissue Biopsy
- Electrodiagnostic assessment (EDX)
- Sensitivity test for touch, heat, cold, vibration, etc
Neuropathic Pain Management & Treatment Options
Firstly, the neuropathic pain is identified, and after that, the respective treatment option is preferred accordingly. However, it is essential to know that only a few neuropathic pain conditions can be cured while others can only be managed and controlled.
The following are the popular neuropathic pain damage treatment and management options:
- Oral medicines (like Gabapentin 100mg, Pregabalin, antidepressants, narcotic medications, etc.)
- Physical therapies like massaging, strength exercises, balance and motion exercises, among others.
- Mechanical aids for improving nerve alignment
- Nutrition-rich diet
- Healthy lifestyle modifications
- Surgery
Effective Ways to Prevent Neuropathy
Certain types of neuropathic pain can be prevented. You may follow the tips below & adopt a healthy living for banishing nerve damage.
- Quit smoking
When you smoke, you’re limiting nutrient supply to the nerves. As a result, neuropathy symptoms can only get worse. This is the reason you should quit smoking as soon as possible.
- Diabetes Management
People with both diabetes and neuropathic pain should be very aware of their health conditions. They need to maintain blood sugar levels to control neuropathic pain.
- Be cautious with your feet.
Ample blood flow should be maintained throughout your feet to maintain feet activities with neuropathy. Make sure you’re comforting your feet, keeping them moisturized, wearing right-fit shoes, not walking barefoot, and protecting your feet from heat/cold.
- Stick to a healthy lifestyle
No matter what health disorder you’re suffering from, you must switch to a healthy routine if you want to keep sane with good health. Have a balanced diet, maintain an ideal weight, exercise, and adopt similar lifestyle habits for lowering chances of neuropathic pain.
- Review your medicines at frequent intervals
In case if you’re taking any prescription or OTC medicines, then let your doctors know regarding the same. Learn about the potential causes of neuropathy & know how to avoid them.
Final Lines
Make no delay in visiting your healthcare provider whenever you think you’re having neuropathic pain. Find an effective cure before this nerve damage takes a toll on your life and creates an irreversible imbalance. After all, prevention is better than cure.
