Living with neuropathy can be difficult, especially when managing persistent discomfort is part of your daily routine. Neuropathy affects the peripheral nervous system and comes with symptoms that commonly make everyday tasks more challenging. By understanding neuropathy and exploring key management strategies, you may find ways to ease your pain and improve your quality of life.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction in the peripheral nerves, which connect your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. These nerves send signals related to movement, sensation, and organ function. When they malfunction, the outcomes can be unpredictable and vary widely depending on the type of nerve affected.

Common Causes and Symptoms

Understanding neuropathic symptoms is a key step in recognizing possible problems and seeking proper guidance from medical professionals. Neuropathy stems from several causes, including diabetes, infections, injuries, or exposure to toxins. Addressing the underlying cause is often fundamental to effective symptom management. Some common symptoms are:

• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• Sensations of wearing socks or gloves when you aren’t
• Muscle weakness or difficulty with coordination
• Sensitivity to touch or changes in temperature
• Pain when bearing weight or engaging in movement

How to Manage Pain From Neuropathy?

There are two parts to the human nervous system: the central nervous system, which is the brain and the spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which includes all of the branching off nerves from the spinal column. Peripheral neuropathy refers to nerve damage impacting nerves outside the central nervous system. Although neuropathy is a challenging condition, various strategies help manage the pain and discomfort associated with it. Incorporating a variety of approaches into your care routine may help you find what benefits your condition the most.

Custom Orthotics

Custom orthotics may be fundamental for people with neuropathy affecting their feet. These personalized shoe inserts help distribute pressure evenly across your feet, helping to reduce the strain on affected nerves. Orthotics can ease symptoms such as pain when bearing weight and improve balance and stability. A properly fitted shoe or insert can enhance mobility and reduce neuropathy symptoms.

Diabetic Neuropathy

For individuals with diabetes, managing blood sugar levels and wound care directly impacts overall health. Diabetes is a leading cause of neuropathy, as elevated blood sugar can damage nerves over time. Diabetic neuropathic issues are common in almost 50% of all diabetic patients. Controlled blood sugar reduces the risk of further nerve damage and helps alleviate existing symptoms.

Beyond monitoring glucose, adopting a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly can support nerve health. Due to diabetes causing slower healing rates, wound care is a large part of condition management. Tissue damage, infection, and necrosis may develop when wounds, small blisters, or calluses don’t fully heal.

Cryotherapy to Destroy Damaged Nerve Fibers

Cryotherapy, or the application of extreme cold, is another potential option for neuropathy management. This treatment involves freezing damaged nerve fibers to disrupt pain signals. It’s usually recommended in specific cases where traditional pain management has not provided relief. While topical cryotherapy is not suitable for all types of neuropathy, some individuals report significant pain reduction after the procedure.

Surgery

For patients with severe and persistent neuropathy pain that hasn’t responded to other interventions, surgery may be an effective option. Some surgical procedures aim to alleviate pressure on nerves and repair or remove damaged tissues, helping to provide relief. Surgery is typically a last-resort solution, so consult with a neurologist or surgeon who can help you understand the potential benefits and risks of surgical treatments for your condition.

Learn More About Neuropathy

By exploring strategies such as custom orthotics, managing diabetes, or consulting specialists about other treatment options, you can take active steps toward symptom relief. Neuropathic pain can be an evolving process to manage effectively, but professionals are here to help. If you’re ready to learn more about neuropathy and ways to manage its symptoms, contact a knowledgeable healthcare provider to explore additional resources and make a care plan today.