Peripheral Neuropathy Causes Numbness and Pain That Should Not Be Ignored

If you have tingling, numbness or burning that does not go away for some time in your hands or feet, you must not consider it a small annoyance which will most likely fade.  In most cases, these symptoms are the first signs that the patient may have Peripheral Neuropathy. If you continue to overlook them, the nerve damage beneath the surface can extend to the point where your everyday life and movement may be impacted.

This blog helps you to understand what Peripheral Neuropathy is, Common causes, Symptoms nature and the reason why it is necessary to pay extra attention for any numbness and pain. 

What is Peripheral Neuropathy and Why Do Nerves Cause Pain/Numbness?

Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition when the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord are damaged. The peripheral nervous system comprises the nerves that carry the senses, instruct the muscles to move and manage functions of the body that are not under conscious control, such as the heartbeat and digestion.

On damage, they do not perform normally. The sensory nerves may provide incorrect data, which can be pain, itches or numbness, or if they do not give signals at all, a lack of sensation can be observed. The destruction of the motor nerve can lead to loss of muscle power, while the autonomic nervous issue might cause the gland of sweat, alimentary canal or blood pressure.

The nerve damage is the main reason for the terrible and sometimes incapacitating feelings that patients encounter. 

Common Underlying Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

Understanding root causes shall be the key to the right treatment. The most common causes of peripheral neuropathy are:

Diabetes (Diabetic Neuropathy): High blood sugar tends to destroy the nerves gradually, particularly in the extremities.

Physical Injury or Trauma: Nerve damage due to accidents, falls or repetitive stress (for example carpal tunnel syndrome) is direct.

Autoimmune Diseases: The immune system of the body attacked by diseases like Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis or Guillain-Barré Syndrome attacks the nerves.

Infections: Shingles (postherpetic neuralgia), HIV or Lyme disease are viruses that affect nerves.

Vitamin Deficiencies: B vitamins (B1, B6, B12) are very important, lack of these vitamins may lead to nerve damage.

Alcoholism: Alcohol in excess causes both nutritional deficiencies and direct nerve injury.

Medications: Certain chemotherapy or toxic drugs may lead to neuropathy.

Toxins: Heavy metals or industrial chemicals can damage the peripheral nerves.

Idiopathic Causes: In some cases, the specific cause cannot be determined.

Only treatment of the underlying cause can lead to a successful management of nerve damage and prevention of further complications.

The Unmistakable Signs: Why Numbness and Pain Should Not Be Ignored

Peripheral neuropathy symptoms differ and it’s essential to understand them as soon as possible:

Numbness and Tingling: The condition usually starts in the fingers or toes and gradually reaches higher limbs. The “pins and needles” feeling or total numbness makes everyday activities dangerous like handling hot objects or cutting food.

Neuropathic Pain: The patient can describe the pain as a burn, stab, sharpen or one resembling an electric shock and it may be very distressing both in continuity and intermittently. Paradoxically, light touch may cause discomfort, thus making the performance of everyday activities difficult.

Muscle Weakness and Coordination Issues: Motor nerve damage may result in foot drop, walking problems, cramps or the inability to keep balance.

Autonomic Symptoms: The signs of autonomic nerves damage may include dizziness, abnormal sweating, or digestive issues.

Not paying attention to these signals may result in progression of nerve damage, chronic pain and injuries or loss of mobility, which in turn will severely impair quality of life.

The Path to Relief: Diagnosis and Treatment

Absolutely and for sure right from the start, the identification in the early stage is very essential. Measuring the response of the muscle to the stimulus through nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG), besides a detailed medical history are some of the ways to quantify the type and extent of nerve damage.

The treatment is primarily aimed at two things, first, it tries to uncover the root/problem source. For example if it is caused by diabetes, then managing diabetes will be the solution. Also, symptoms such as neuropathic pain can be relieved by medication or therapy. In fact, treatment started on time can not only stop the progression of the nerve damage but also turn it back; hence, the person will have a certain level of daily function and comfort.

Listen to Your Body: Expert Care for Nerve Health

Continual numbness and pain due to Peripheral Neuropathy are symptoms that you should never overlook. It is very important that these symptoms are detected at an early stage and treated appropriately in order to avoid the progression of the disease.

It is very important that the patient goes through consultation as early as possible. Take the advice of a top Neurology Specialist in Chennai for the correct diagnosis and you to have your own tailored treatment plan at Sugam Hospital. We are  always concerned about the health of your nerves and leads you towards the path of effective remedies to have a better quality of life.