Navigating Neuropathy

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage typically affecting the hands or feet that causes several symptoms including numbness, tingling, persistent burning pain, and muscle weakness. Neuropathy is a progressive condition, meaning without the proper intervention, it will continue to worsen over time. The symptoms usually begin subtly affecting only a small area, but they slowly become more intense and the area affected usually becomes larger as the nerve damage progresses.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

• Numbness, prickling, or tingling in your hands or feet
• Sharp, jabbing, throbbing, or burning pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Lack of coordination and falling
• Pain during activities such as walking, putting your shoes on, or driving
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis
• Feeling like you are wearing gloves when you aren’t

What Causes Neuropathy?

Neuropathy occurs when the peripheral nerves, the nerves that go to your arms, hands, legs, and feet become compromised. Many people think neuropathy is caused by damage from Diabetes. Although this is a very common cause of neuropathy, there are over a hundred other reasons why the nerves can become damaged and result in neuropathy. Some of these reasons include things like autoimmune disease, trauma, infections, Agent Orange exposure, toxic chemicals, and chemotherapy. The peripheral nerves are kept alive by the blood vessels that supply them with oxygen and nutrients. When these blood vessels constrict or are narrowed because of inflammation and the mentioned factors, blood flow to the nerve is reduced. When this occurs, the nerve begins to die as its source of nourishment and oxygen has diminished. The lack of blood supply to the area results in painful neuropathy as the nerves are starved of energy and oxygen.  Unless the blood flow is restored, the nerve will continue to die and the neuropathy symptoms will worsen.

Typical Outcomes for Neuropathy

Those who suffer from neuropathy know the debilitating effect it can have on one’s life. For some, the pain of neuropathy is enough to disrupt their daily activities and quality of life. For someone with neuropathy, seemingly simple tasks like putting on your shoes can become difficult, or the pain of your foot on the gas pedal while driving becomes unbearable. Those suffering from neuropathy are left with very few answers and options when it comes to treating the condition naturally. People are commonly told that neuropathy is something they will have to learn to live with. Many people are prescribed anti-seizure medications like Neurontin, Lyrica, or Gabapentin to attempt to calm the inflamed and damaged nerves. For some, these medications may dull the pain for a while, but since they never address the root cause of the neuropathy, the dying nerve, the neuropathy will continue to worsen and the dosage of medication will be increased.  Other people may be prescribed topical creams or pain medications to manage the pain. While some people suffering from neuropathy eventually lose complete function or sensation of the affected area and are forced to undergo amputation. For some, amputation occurs as the result of gangrene, as those with neuropathy are much more susceptible to infection in the affected area.

What You Can Do

If you are suffering from neuropathy, there is hope. At Abundant Life Health Center, we have had immense success in helping people to heal and reverse their neuropathy naturally. Our team of doctors conducts a thorough 16-step examination to determine the cause and type of neuropathy. This process also helps the doctors to determine which nerve fibers are affected, as well as the severity and prognosis of the neuropathy. Each case of neuropathy is unique affecting everyone in a different and specific manner. We focus on the underlying cause of the neuropathy, the dying nerve, allowing our patients to heal 70-100% of the time. If you are suffering from neuropathy, contact our office to see if we can help you.