Peripheral Neuropathy

Symtoms

Numbness, "pin and needles", burning sensations, pain, and slowed reflex action are common indications of peripheral neuropathy.

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy begin in your toes. The symptoms slowly spread up your feet and legs as more nerves are affected. These symptoms may mask pain. Without pain, you may not notice a cut or even a bone fracture. Cuts may become infected. Fractures may heal poorly and lead to foot deformities.

Possible Causes

Neuropathy refers to damage/impairment to the nervous system. It has been shown that the longer nerve fibers in your body are more prone to damage, and the ends of the nerves show damage first (therefore your feet are a major victim of this disease).

Long periods of elevated blood sugar can damage nerves; making diabetes a major cause of neuropathy.

Treament

Treatment for neuropathy can become very individualized. While there are many disagreements over "the" treatment, the only advice would be to do what works best for you. When you speak with your doctor, you can both pinpoint the right treatment for you.

The most common treatment can be for the pain. A wide variety of medication can take care of this such as aspirin, acetaminophen (found in Tylenol), non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, and anticonvulsion drugs.

The most important treatment is to slow down or maintain the damage to the nerves. Keeping glucose levels down is most crucial in order to keep the neuropathy at bay.

It is vital that you check your feet for any injury you might have inflicted on yourself and not realize you have. Look at the top and bottom of your feet, your heels, and between your toes. It may help to use a mirror. If this is hard, ask someone to check for you. Call your doctor if you notice a wound, ingrown nail, or any changes in your feet. This includes increased heat, swelling, and redness.

Generally, neuropathy cannot be reversed as nerves take an extremely long time to heal. But preventing it from getting worse means the difference between amputation and keeping your limbs.