Peripheral neuropathy is a medial condition that refers to a disorder of the nerve or nerves, apart from the spinal cord and brain. The general symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include numbness, unusual or weird sensations, tingling, burning sensations and weakness.

Other Common Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms

Peripheral neuropathy usually manifests in the form of loss of sensory function symptoms. These include gait imbalance, tremors and numbness. The affected individual’s skin can also become quite hypersensitive, and in most cases, patients are not allowed to have anything touch certain parts of their body. Those who feel this degree of extra sensitivity can’t even wear socks or shoes, and don’t even want bed sheets to touch their feet. Motor symptoms of peripheral neuropathy’s include tiredness, heaviness, weakness, cramps and fasciculations.

Possible Causes Of Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by a number of factors. The most common causes include diabetes and post-herpetic neuralgia. Other major factors include excessive alcohol intake, vitamin B12 and folate deficiency and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Syphilis, AIDS and kidney failure also lead to the onset of peripheral neuropathy.

Frequent exposure to heavy metals, gold compounds, lead, arsenic, mercury, pesticides and other harmful toxins can also lead to nerve disorders like peripheral neuropathy. The intake of cancer therapy medications such as Vincasar and Oncovin, as well as antibiotics like isoniazid and metronidazole, also lead to the onset of nerve disorder.

Treatment For The Symptoms Of Peripheral Neuropathy

The treatment methods for peripheral neuropathy may vary, and will mostly depend on the root cause for the nerve pain. Doctors usually determine the root cause before undertaking any treatment regimen. For those suffering from diabetes, lowering blood sugar levels can help, although this may sadly not be able to reverse the neuropathy symptoms. Peripheral neuropathy associated with immune diseases can be alleviated through the treatment of the autoimmune disease first.

A number of medications and drugs that target the central nervous system can also be used to treat the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Some medications that were intended to be used as antidpressants and antiepileptic drugs, are also noted to be useful in the management of neuropathic pain. People who suffer from shingles also need to get prompt treatment using sympathetic injections, to deter the progression of shingles into post herpetic neuralgia. A visit to a physiotherapist can also help alleviate the symptoms and come up with a treatment to manage peripheral neuropathy.