How Neuropathy Affects the Body
Neuropathy, also known as nerve damage, is a common condition that affects a broad range of individuals. This condition is caused by a disruption between the central nervous system and the peripheral nerves that serve the limbs, organs, and other body parts. This disruption can affect the body in a variety of ways. From typical symptoms like pain and tingling to lesser-known effects like digestive issues, neuropathy can change the way our bodies function.
BEST Health System works with neuropathy patients to help them find relief from their chronic pain. We understand how nerve damage affects the body, and how it prevents patients from living a fulfilling lifestyle. We place patient education at the forefront, as this can significantly impact treatment success. Continue reading to learn more about neuropathy and how it might affect the body.
Three Unknown Ways Neuropathy Affects the Body
Understanding your condition can help you achieve better treatment results. Oftentimes, neuropathy is closely linked to lifestyle decisions like diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, and more. Poor diet decisions, a lack of exercise, and too much smoking/drinking can exacerbate symptoms and prevent you from controlling your neuropathy condition.
Here are three lesser-known ways neuropathy can affect the body.
- Digestive Issues. Neuropathy can cause digestive issues when the autonomic nerves that control the digestive system are damaged. This condition, often referred to as autonomic neuropathy, affects the nerves responsible for regulating involuntary functions like digestion, leading to various gastrointestinal symptoms including constipation, incontinence, and stomach pain/cramping.
- Sleep Disturbances. Neuropathy patients often experience sleep disturbances and insomnia due to their chronic pain, restless leg syndrome (RLS), or emotional stress. A lack of sleep can further exacerbate symptoms.
- Emotional and Cognitive Impact. The emotional side effects of neuropathy are often lesser talked about, but they are one of the most debilitating parts of this condition. Patients often experience feelings of depression, anxiety, and isolation as a result of their condition.
Treatment Options
If you have recently been diagnosed with neuropathy, you’re likely looking for treatment options. Neuropathy treatment consists of both prevention and pain management methods. This combination sets out to help patients manage their discomfort while also preventing their condition from worsening.
Oftentimes, patients will begin by trying conservative methods, including anti-inflammatory pain medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes include diet and exercise adjustments to ensure the patient is in good health–this can help them organically manage their pain and prevent their condition from becoming stronger.
If months go by and patients are not able to achieve relief, they may consider surgical intervention. Neuromodulation, also known as spinal cord stimulation, is a modern treatment option often recommended to patients with severe and debilitating neuropathy. This procedure involves the implantation of a small device in the lumbar spine which has lead wires that are placed near the spinal cord. The device will send painless, and tiny electrical pulses to the spinal cord to block pain signals from reaching the brain. This is a common treatment that has helped countless patients achieve relief from their neuropathy or chronic pain condition.
BEST Health System
BEST Health System is helping patients across the country achieve relief from their neuropathy conditions. We partner with clinics and Interventional Pain Management specialists in six different states to ensure all patients have access to quality pain care.
We understand that quality chronic pain treatment can be difficult to come by. Far too often, patients are simply prescribed a drug to relieve their symptoms, but this only leads to dependency. We work closely with patients to understand their condition and goals, then use conservative and minimally invasive treatments to help them achieve relief.
Are you interested in learning more about treatment with our team at BEST Health System? Connect with us today.
