Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy occurs because of nerve damage, specifically the nerves outside the spinal cord and brain or peripheral nerves. This damage causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the hands and feet. It may also spread to other areas and affect body functions like circulation, digestion, and urination.

The peripheral nerve system relays information from your central nervous system (spinal cord and brain) to the whole body. Peripheral neuropathy can occur due to metabolic issues, traumatic injury, inherited conditions, toxin exposure, and infections. The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes.

What are the Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?

Each nerve in the peripheral system performs a specific function. The symptoms depend on the nerves the neuropathy affects. The nerves have different classifications:

  • Sensory Nerves

The sensory nerves detect pain, temperature, touch, vibration, etc., via the skin.

  • Motor Nerves

The motor nerves control movement of the body's muscles.

  • Autonomic Nerves

The autonomic nerves control perspiration, blood pressure, bladder function, heart rate, and digestion.

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:

  • Gradual numbness, tingling, or prickling in the hands and feet spread into the arms and legs.
  • Throbbing, burning, or sharp pain
  • For pain when doing everyday activities, like pain in the feet when you put your weight on them.
  • Lack of body coordination
  • Weakness in the muscles
  • The sensation of wearing socks or gloves when you are not
  • If motor nerves get affected, paralysis.

If the neuropathy affects your autonomic nerves, the symptoms might be:

  • Your body cannot sweat, or it sweats too much.
  • You cannot tolerate heat.
  • Digestive, bladder, or bowel issues
  • Blood pressure drops, which causes dizziness
  • Cracked skin
  • Dry feet

How Is Peripheral Neuropathy Diagnosed?

To diagnose peripheral neuropathy in St. Louis, MI, your physician should do a physical exam and blood test. A complete diagnosis requires:

  1. Your Medical History

Your physician will review your medical history, including your lifestyle, symptoms, drinking habits, toxin exposure, and family history of neurological conditions.

  1. Neurological Exam

In St. Louis, MI, your physician will review your muscle tone and strength, tendon reflexes, posture, coordination, and sensation level.

Which Tests are Done?

Your physician may order tests such as:

  • Blood Tests

Blood tests detect diabetes, vitamin deficiency, abnormalities in your immune functions, and other factors causing peripheral neuropathy.

  • Imaging

MRI or CT scans check for compressed(pinched) nerves, herniated discs, tumors, or any abnormality in the bones or blood vessels.

  • Nerve Tests

EMG (Electromyography) detects nerve damage by recording the electrical activity in the muscles. The physician inserts an electrode or thin needle into your muscle, measuring the electrical activity when the muscle contracts. Your physician records the responses of the nerves to the current.

Other nerve tests comprise a sweat test that measures how your body sweats, autonomic reflex screening, and sensory tests.

  • Nerve Biopsy

Nerve biopsy comprises removing a tiny part of sensory or other nerves to check for any abnormality.

  • Skin Biopsy

The physician in St. Louis, MI, removes a tiny piece of skin to check for any nerve-ending reductions.

Treatment

Medication for relieving peripheral neuropathy symptoms include:

  • Pain Relievers

Over-the-counter medications for pain, such as anti-inflammatory medication. For severe symptoms, doctors prescribe more potent painkillers.

  • Anti-Seizure Medication

Medications that treat conditions like epilepsy may be effective for relieving nerve pain. The side effects are dizziness and drowsiness.

  • Topical Medication

Topical creams contain substances in hot pepper and have some improvements for neuropathy symptoms. The cream causes skin irritation and burning, which lessens with time, but some people cannot stand the burning sensation. Lidocaine skin patches help but cause numbness at the patch site, dizziness, and drowsiness.

  • Anti-Depressants

Anti-depressants relieve pain through the interference of your spinal cord and brain's chemical processes that cause pain. Side effects include appetite changes, constipation, weight gain, nausea, dizziness, and dry mouth.

How Can Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute Help?

At Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute in St. Louis, MI, we offer comprehensive treatment of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. For more information on peripheral neuropathy, check out our website or call us at (314) 207-2479. Alternatively, fill the new patient forms, email them ahead of your visit, or print and bring them along on your appointment.

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