Peripheral neuropathy affects more than 190 million people across the globe. Symptoms include muscle weakness, decreased reflexes, pain, and cramping, depending upon which nerves are damaged.
Expert pain management physicians Kevin Elaahi, MD and Benjamin Kim, MD and our compassionate team help relieve your neuropathy pain and undesirable symptoms at Interventional Pain Consultants in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Neuropathy occurs when your nerves become injured. This damage can cause an array of symptoms, including:
Risk factors like diabetes, autoimmune disease, heredity, and even exposure to toxic chemicals may play a role in its development.
The four main types of neuropathy include:
As one of the most common forms of neuropathy, this condition affects the nerves in your limbs — most often the legs and feet, but possibly the arms and hands, too.
This type of neuropathy usually causes issues in your lower body due to nerve damage in your hips, buttocks, thighs, and torso. Often associated with type 2 diabetes, it may occur on its own or in tandem with peripheral neuropathy.
This condition generally affects only one nerve, as with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). If it compresses a nerve in your head, it’s considered cranial neuropathy, which may cause eye pain or trouble focusing.
Autonomic neuropathy involves nerves that regulate involuntary functions, such as:
Our knowledgeable team diagnoses your neuropathy by reviewing current symptoms and medical history. We may also use blood tests, CT scans, MRIs, nerve function tests, and/or skin and nerve biopsies, as needed, to help us understand the nature of your condition, so we can devise an optimal treatment plan.
Our team helps you manage neuropathic symptoms through a variety of methods, such as:
We may recommend certain medications that enhance neural membrane structure.
A tiny electrical device placed near your dysfunctional peripheral nerves sends electrical pulses to relieve your pain.
Spinal cord stimulation involves the implantation of a device beneath your skin that transmits pain-relieving electric pulses to the spinal cord.
We also help you address the causes of your neuropathy directly, including:
Certain lifestyle changes may also help. We may suggest that you:
Lidocaine patches or capsaicin cream may also bring relief to smaller areas. We also recommend not leaning on one part of your body or crossing your legs for any length of time to avoid further nerve damage.
Remain active, but don’t push yourself past your limits. Talk to our team about any troubling symptoms that persist or emerge, and don’t self-isolate. Depression and insomnia often go hand-in-hand with chronic pain; socializing itself can offer relief, as it helps keep your mind on things besides your condition.
Ready to find relief for your neuropathy? We’re here to help. Call or click online to schedule a consultation with Interventional Pain Consultants in Parsippany, New Jersey, today.
