Neuropathy Specialist

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a term that means there's a problem with nerve function. It can develop as a result of complications from conditions such as:

• Injury to the nerves
• Connective tissue disorders
• Diabetes
• Autoimmune disorders
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Alcoholism
• Certain medications, like chemotherapy drugs
• Kidney and liver diseases
• Cancerous and benign tumors
• Vitamin B deficiencies
• Bone marrow diseases

Some infectious diseases can also cause neuropathy, including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, shingles, Lyme disease, and Epstein-Barr. Sometimes neuropathy is idiopathic, which means there's no apparent cause for your condition.

What symptoms does neuropathy cause?

Because neuropathy is a nerve disorder, the symptoms depend on the function of the affected nerves. 

Some nerves are sensory, sending information back to your brain about what you're touching or how hot or cold it is. Others control muscle function and unconscious activities like digestion.

Therefore, you could experience a variety of symptoms, including:

• Pain, which is often severe
• Numbness
• Prickling or tingling sensation
• Burning sensation
• Problems with physical coordination
• Muscle weakness
• Heat intolerance
• Excessive sweating
• Digestive problems
• Urinary disorders
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

You might also develop problems like hyperalgesia, which is an increased sensitivity to pain, or allodynia, in which normal touch becomes painful.

How is neuropathy treated?

The JKC Neurology Medical Group team first needs to look at what could be causing your neuropathy.

This is critical, as treating the underlying cause can significantly improve your symptoms. Optimal management of diabetes, for instance, can make all the difference when you have diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Improving your health by losing weight, quitting smoking and drinking, eating a healthy, varied diet, and getting plenty of suitable exercise can also be beneficial.

There are numerous possible approaches to treating the symptoms of neuropathy, including:

• Pain-relieving medication
• Anti-seizure drugs
• Capsaicin cream
• Lidocaine patches
• Antidepressant medication
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Physical therapy
• Plasma exchange
• Intravenous immune globulin

Most patients find that a combination of therapies provides relief from their neuropathy symptoms. If you're still experiencing problems, there are implantable devices that can help, such as a peripheral nerve stimulator.

If you're having problems with neuropathy, call JKC Neurology Medical Group today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.