Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder that occurs when nerves that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord, to the rest of your body, become damaged or diseased.
Causes And Symptoms
- Common Causes: The condition can be caused by various factors, including diabetes, infections, genetic disorders, and trauma. Nutritional or metabolic problems can also contribute.
- Symptoms to Manage: Patients often experience numbness, tingling, pain, or muscle weakness. Another common symptom is the loss of coordination.
Diagnosis And Treatments
- Diagnosis: Doctors typically use a combination of methods for diagnosis, such as a physical exam, neurological tests, and blood tests. More specific tests might include nerve function tests or a nerve biopsy.
- Conservative Treatments: Initial treatments focus on managing symptoms and may include pain relievers, anti-seizure medications, topical medications, physical therapy, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
- Interventional Treatments: For more severe or persistent cases, options can include nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, regenerative treatments, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation, or even surgery.
Goal Of Treatment
- The ultimate goal of treatment is to manage symptoms, control pain, and address any underlying conditions to enhance the patient’s overall quality of life.