There are two types of symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy – positive and negative. The negative symptoms, which come first, occur when damage to the nervous system brings about a loss of a particular function. For example, loss of reflexes, loss of strength, and loss of sensation like light touch.These are rarely detectable to the patient because the brain makes up the difference in these losses. Only after some time do the sick and damaged nerves develop the signs of neuropathy; tingling , burning, biting, stabbing, shooting pains. These are also a reaction of the brain and the nervous system.
Neuropathy is actually both a symptom and a condition. It’s essentially a short-circuit in the electrical impulses caused by damaged nerves. Neuropathy’s symptoms can range from being extremely painful to completely numbing and everything in-between.
Neuropathy can be caused by medical conditions, i.e. diabetes and cholesterol-lowering medications (“statins”). Many cases, though, are labeled idiopathic meaning that the exact cause is unknown.
Some neuropathies come on suddenly while others can occur over many years. Some people are affected only by weakness in the arms and legs. This neuropathy-caused weakness can lead to difficulty standing, walking, or rising from a chair.
Neuropathy can produce a loss of sensation in the feet which contributes to a person feeling off-balance. This loss has been linked to falls.
Some patients will eventually become unable to walk at all. Others start with a tingling, pin-pricking feeling that turns into deep sharp stabbing pains and burning electric shocks. These debilitating problems can also be at their worst at night while trying to get to sleep.
The goal of any effective neuropathy treatment is two-fold – to remove or improve the causative factors and to help the damaged nerves to heal. There is a successful treatment program which takes this approach called the New Neuropathy Recovery Program.
The New Neuropathy Recovery Program has 6 cornerstones or success plans directed at the causes of neuropathy. Each of these cornerstones have safe, effective, and complementary treatments. Every treatment plan is customized to address the issues of each individual with neuropathy.
To learn more, call Tampa Neuropathy Center (813) 253-2333 or online www.tampaneuropathy.com
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