What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that develops as the result of nerve damage to your peripheral nerves, usually in your hands and feet. As a result of the nerve damage, your peripheral nervous system sends this information to your brain and spinal cord, and you feel pain and discomfort that can be intolerable at times.

What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

Nerve damage can result from a variety of conditions or illnesses including:

• Diabetes

• Autoimmune diseases

• Alcoholism

• Infections

• Trauma

• Tumors

• Certain medications

What are the Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy can affect your sensory nerves, motor nerves, and autonomic nerves. Sensory nerves receive sensations, like feeling the temperature or a vibration on your skin. Motor nerves control muscle movement, and autonomic nerves control heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. Peripheral neuropathy can affect each of these systems, depending on the severity of your condition.

Symptoms may include:

• Numbness, tingling, or prickling feeling in your feet or hands

• Extreme sensitivity to touch

• Sharp, throbbing pains

• Freezing or burning sensations

• Heat intolerance

• Sudden changes in blood pressure that cause dizziness

• Muscle weakness or paralysis

• Difficulty walking, lack of coordination

• Digestive and bowel or bladder problems

How is Peripheral Neuropathy Treated?

In some cases, medication is the sole remedy for the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, but the integrated medical team at NuVive Medical Clinic offers an alternative approach to treating the pain caused by neuropathy. If you’re tired of living with the painful symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, let us help you get relief by calling to schedule a consultation today.