Weakness and numbness in your legs and feet might make you feel like you’re off balance, especially if these symptoms are persistent.
At Zephyr Medical, skilled physician Asher C. Goldstein, MD, and our experienced medical team specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions that contribute to limb weakness and numbness, including peripheral neuropathy.
Understanding peripheral neuropathy
Your peripheral nerves provide sensations to your limbs and other areas of your body outside of your brain and spinal cord. These nerves make it possible to notice different temperatures and textures and experience pain.
When you have peripheral neuropathy, it means your nerves are damaged and may not be functioning properly. This can cause miscommunication between your nervous system and the rest of your body. For instance, you might feel persistent pain even when you don’t have an injury.
Other common side effects of peripheral neuropathy include:
- Tingling
- Burning
- Dull aches
- Numbness
- Weakness
These symptoms can progressively worsen over time and make you feel off balance. In some cases, you might experience a significant reduction in your mobility, affecting your ability to work, exercise, and remain independent.
Reasons you might have peripheral neuropathy
You might be at increased risk for developing peripheral neuropathy if you experience direct trauma to your body that damages your nerves.
Diabetes is another leading cause of peripheral neuropathy. In fact, nerve damage caused by diabetes has its own term – diabetic neuropathy. This condition can cause mobility issues, vision loss, and other serious complications.
Other conditions that can contribute to peripheral neuropathy include:
- Stroke
- Shingles
- Kidney failure
- Celiac disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hormonal disorders
Lifestyle factors like alcoholism and poor diet can also increase your risk factors for peripheral neuropathy.
Exploring your treatment options for peripheral neuropathy
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Zephyr Medical if you have persistent numbness, weakness, pain, or other symptoms of peripheral neuropathy that you can’t manage on your own.
Our team offers complete physical exams and advanced diagnostic tests to confirm your symptoms are related to nerve damage. We also identify how severe your nerve damage is to create the right treatment plan for you.
Initially, we may recommend lifestyle and diet changes you can make now. This may include incorporating exercise into your daily routine, eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet, and limiting your use of alcohol. You should also aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night
Other treatments we offer to manage peripheral neuropathy include:
- Medications
- Laser therapy
- Medical marijuana
- Ketamine treatments
- Peripheral nerve stimulation
You may also need an additional care plan to address diabetes, kidney disease, or other causes of peripheral neuropathy.
We continue to monitor your progress with treatment, so you can stay pain-free and physically active. You may also benefit from a referral for physical therapy to strengthen your muscles to prevent feelings of being off balance from returning. We can also recommend psychotherapy that teaches you techniques to cope with your condition healthily.
Call Zephyr Medical in Brooklyn, New York, to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, or book an appointment online today.