Understanding Neuropathy: Getting to Know Your Condition
Neuropathy is a powerful and potentially life-changing condition. From physical disabilities like chronic pain to mental struggles like depression, it can be difficult to live a fulfilling life with this condition. Neuropathy can develop for a variety of reasons, from diabetes to injury, and can manifest in a variety of ways.
Neuropathy can manifest in various forms, depending on the affected nerves and underlying causes. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type, impacting the nerves in the hands, feet, arms, or legs, and can cause numbness, tingling, or pain. Autonomic neuropathy affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. Proximal neuropathy targets nerves in the thighs, hips, or buttocks, causing muscle weakness and dizziness. Lastly, focal neuropathy involves sudden damage to specific nerves, often leading to isolated issues such as vision problems. Depending on your unique condition, you will work with your doctor to find treatment options that help you achieve relief.
The Physical Toll of Neuropathy
Neuropathy can have a strong impact on the body, causing debilitating pain and limiting function in the body–from digestive issues to vision problems. Living with these symptoms can lead to an isolated lifestyle, preventing patients from seeing their friends and family, exercising, and even just getting outside of the house. Let’s talk about a few of the most common physical symptoms that manifest in patients with neuropathy.
- Pain and Discomfort. This is the most common symptom of neuropathy and is also one of the most debilitating. Nerve damage often causes burning, sharp, or stabbing pain which can be consistent or intermittent.
- Muscle Weakness. Neuropathy can affect the motor nerves which can make it difficult for patients to comfortably use their hands and feet. This can make tasks like gripping objects, walking, and climbing stairs increasingly difficult as the condition develops or worsens.
- Balance and Coordination Problems. As the sensory nerves are damaged, it can cause the ability to sense touch, temperature, or pain to diminish. This loss of sensation can impair balance, making it harder to walk or perform tasks that require fine motor skills.
- Fatigue. The constant discomfort and pain associated with neuropathy, along with the extra energy the body uses to cope with these symptoms, can lead to chronic fatigue.
The Emotional Toll of Neuropathy
The emotional toll of neuropathy can be as profound as the physical toll. Living with these symptoms can cause patients to experience severe mental health conditions–from depression to insomnia and other symptoms. Here are a few common mental health struggles neuropathy patients may face.
- Depression and Anxiety. Persistent pain and the unpredictability of symptoms can cause patients to experience depression and anxiety about the future. Chronic pain can keep patients isolated, leading to depression and other negative feelings.
- Frustration. Facing this condition can be incredibly frustrating as it can be difficult to manage. Many individuals struggle with the loss of control over their bodies, which can result in anger directed at themselves, others, or their condition.
- Insomnia. Neuropathy-related pain often worsens at night, leading to sleep disturbances. Chronic sleep deprivation can heighten emotional sensitivity, exacerbate feelings of depression and anxiety, and diminish overall mental resilience.
Discover Relief Today
Relief from neuropathy might be just around the corner. Neuromodulation is an advanced therapy often recommended to patients facing nerve-related issues. This procedure involves the implantation of a small device in the lower spine, that has lead wires connecting to the spinal cord. The device will send low-level electrical pulses to the spinal cord to block pain signals from reaching the brain. This is a drug-free therapy that can help patients get back on their feet and avoid the continued use of opioids.
You deserve to find relief from your condition. BEST Health System offers neuromodulation trials to those seeking relief from neuropathy and other chronic pain conditions.
Find a clinic near you today to see if this is the right treatment path for you.
