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Peripheral neuropathy is a condition where nerves that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body are damaged. Many people have symptoms of tingling sensations in the feet or hands and burning pain in the feet, calf muscles, and hands. These all are caused by nerve damage called neuropathy. Types of neuropathies are motor, sensory, autonomic, and combination neuropathy.
Imagine nerve as wire, with insulation outside called myelin and a proper nerve inside. Nerve damage can occur if the myelin coating is gone, called demyelination. In case the whole nerve is gone, it is called axonal neuropathy. When there is nerve damage, nerve pain occurs, and people get the following symptoms: there is tingling paresthesia, numbness, not able to differentiate the sensations when walking without footwear, and pins sensation. Most of the neuropathies usually manifest first in the feet and then last up to the hands.
What Is Neuropathic Pain?
Neuropathic pain can occur if the nervous system is damaged or not functioning properly. Some problems associated with neuropathic pain are neuralgia, sciatica, and trigeminal neuralgia.
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Neuralgia is a pain in a nerve pathway. In many cases, the cause of the pain is not known. Medication, physical therapies, or surgery under the supervision of a top neurologist in Bangalore can manage pain. Causes of neuralgia may be nerve inflammation, infection, pressure or injury, or syphilis.
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Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that causes painful sensations similar to an electric shock on one side of the face. Chronic pain condition can affect the trigeminal nerve, which carries the sensation from the face to the brain. Symptoms include shooting or jabbing pain that may feel like an electric shock, attacks of pain lasting from a few seconds to several minutes, pain that occurs with facial spasms, and pain affecting one side of the face at a time.
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Sciatica is nerve pain from an injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve. In addition to pain, there may be tingling or numbness in the back, radiating down to the leg. One can relieve sciatica pain through cold packs, hot packs, stretching, or medications.
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Damage to a nerve can affect one or more dermatomes, which can be tracked to specific areas of the body. The most common cause is diabetes, as increased blood sugar may affect nerve fibre, and vitamin deficiency may also cause nerve damage.
What Are the Causes of Neuropathy?
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The most common cause of neuropathy is uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Blood sugar level goes high and damages the nerve.
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Nutrition deficiencies are another cause. Vitamin B12 deficiency or any other trace vitamin deficiency can cause nerve damage.
Diagnosis & Management of Neuropathy
Neuropathy diagnosis at the top neurology hospital in Bangalore requires a set of investigations to determine why the nerve damage has begun. It includes doing tests to check for high sugar, high cholesterol, deficiency of vitamins, or any other causes. Blood, spinal fluid, and muscle strength tests are done to evaluate the condition. CT scan, MRI, EMG, and skin biopsy can also be performed. Also, a nerve conduction study is done to find out the degree of nerve damage and type of nerve damage.
Medications are preferred commonly to manage the symptoms of neuropathy. Physical exercise for muscle strength, balance, and coordination is also a good way to alleviate its symptoms. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy involves passing a low-voltage current through the affected part, helping alleviate the symptoms. A healthy lifestyle can help you feel better and reduce the pain. People with diabetes are at the highest risk, so regular checkups are required.
Neuropathy is a nerve problem and treatment can help relieve the pain and symptoms. An early visit to a doctor is essential to help the patient live a normal life despite having neuropathy.
FAQs
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What Causes Neuropathy?
Diabetes mellitus, inflammation, infections, and nutrition deficiency are the main causes of neuropathy.
2. Can Neuropathy be cured Completely?
Certain treatments, medications, and lifestyle alterations can greatly help patients live a normal, healthy life and relieve their symptoms.
