Numerous people suffer from peripheral neuropathy, which is a painful condition due to nerve damage. At Frisco neuropathy, various experts help you diagnose and treat the issue effectively.
Neuropathy affects about 50 percent of people who have diabetes. However, you can prevent this if you have a consistent blood sugar level and maintain a healthy lifestyle. It will help if you talk to a doctor as soon as you see the following signs.
Warning signs of neuropathy:
Your sensory-motor and autonomic nerves can be affected if you have neuropathy. Your sensory-motor nerves provide touch and temperature sensations to your skin. And your autonomic nerves regulate primary body functions in your heart and bladder.
Symptoms differ for everyone and what type of nerve is affected. However, there are some signs that you must not ignore like:
- Tingling sensation in your hands and feet.
- Weakened arms and legs.
- Numbness in hands and legs.
- Pain that is sharp and comes along with a burning and throbbing sensation.
- Lost dexterity in hands and legs.
In addition to this, if you have neuropathy due to atomic nerve damage, you can also experience digestive problems or pain in the bowel or bladder areas. Few patients also feel dizzy and lightheaded.
When to see a doctor?
- If you determine the following issues, contact your trusted doctor immediately:
- A blister, cut, or bruise on your foot is not healing, or you can see that it is getting infected.
- Tingling, burning, or pain felt in your hand is getting severe and interfering in your sleep.
- Digestion issues.
- Changes in urination or sexual functions.
Causes of neuropathy:
Most people suffer from neuropathy due to diabetes; however, the cause for the rest of the cases is still to be discovered. If you have diabetes, then make sure that your doctor checks signs of possible nerve damage at every appointment so that you can get it treated at the earliest.
A thin wire or stylus is placed at the bottom of your feet to see if you feel the sensation if you are diabetic.
Common causes include:
- Diseases like lupus and arthritis.
- Tumors.
- Bone marrow diseases.
- Physical injury.
- Bacteria and viruses that cause infections.
If you consume alcohol or have a vitamin deficiency, especially vitamin B, you are at greater risk of having neuropathy. In addition to this, chemotherapy can also increase your risk of neuropathy.
It is advised that you check for diabetic neuropathy immediately after you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and after 4-5 years if you have type 1 diabetes. However, screening must be conducted regularly after this.
You must not ignore any neuropathy symptoms and get an appointment as soon as you experience any warnings.