Neuropathy is a painful nerve condition that affects more than 20 million Americans, including those with uncontrolled diabetes. If you have tingling in your arms or legs or other neuropathy symptoms, know that expert medical care is available at Zephyr Medical.
Our experienced pain management specialist, Asher C. Goldstein, MD, specializes in treating and managing neuropathy. Dr. Goldstein works with you on a care plan to keep your existing symptoms under control and prevent neuropathy from worsening.
Expert medical care is needed for neuropathy because while it can take time for your symptoms to become more noticeable, the condition won’t go away on its own.
Reasons you have neuropathy
Neuropathy describes damage in your peripheral nervous system. This system controls many biological functions outside of the central nervous system, which comprises your brain and spinal cord.
Diabetes is a common cause of neuropathy. When your blood sugar levels are elevated for a long time, it can damage nerve fibers (diabetic neuropathy) and disrupt the communication between your nerve cells and brain.
You might also be at increased risk for developing neuropathy due to:
- Trauma
- Hormone imbalance
- Vascular disease
- Autoimmune disease
- Liver or kidney disorders
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Chickenpox and other viruses
- Certain cancers and cancer treatments
If you drink excessive amounts of alcohol or are exposed to toxins in the environment, you can also experience moderate to severe nerve damage.
Recognizing the warning signs of neuropathy
Symptoms of neuropathy vary from person to person based on which of your peripheral nerves are damaged. For instance, if you have damaged motor nerves, you might develop symptoms like persistent muscle twitching or cramping.
When your sensory nerves are damaged, you might experience a reduced sense of touch and an inability to feel temperature changes. Pain is also a symptom of sensory nerve damage.
Damage to your autonomic nervous system causes symptoms like:
- Heat intolerance
- Excessive sweating
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Uncontrolled blood pressure levels
Many people with neuropathy also experience persistent tingling in their limbs that disrupts sleep. Your arms or legs may also feel weak and numb, which can interfere with mobility.
Options for managing neuropathy and its symptoms
While neuropathy won’t resolve on its own, as long as your nerve cells are still living, there are things you can do to regain your function and prevent persistent pain.
Our team at Zephyr Medical can recommend specific strategies you can use to stay in control of neuropathy and its symptoms based on your unique health needs.
You should also consider the following neuropathy management tips:
Give up smoking
Smoking constricts your blood vessels and cuts off the nutrients they deliver to your peripheral nerves. This can make your neuropathy symptoms worse and increase your risk for lung cancer and other chronic diseases.
Speak with our team about smoking cessation resources to help you kick the habit for good.
Keep stress under control
Unmanaged stress at work or home can also contribute to a worsening of neuropathy pain and other symptoms.
Practice mindfulness techniques like breathing exercises and meditation to lower your stress levels naturally. You should also engage in daily exercise to blow off excess stress.
Seek medical intervention early
Early management of your neuropathy symptoms can protect your long-term wellness and mobility. We offer a variety of nonsurgical solutions, including ketamine therapy, laser therapy, and peripheral nerve stimulation, to minimize neuropathy-related pain, tingling, and other symptoms.
Call Zephyr Medical in Brooklyn, New York, today to schedule a neuropathy consultation. You can also book an appointment online.