Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment
Every part of the body relies on nerves to control functions and relay information. The peripheral nervous system contains all the nerves that travel throughout the body from the spinal cord. When any of these nerves are damaged by injury, disease or other factors, it can impact function or sensation. Pain, numbness, weakness or dysfunction can occur due to interrupted or poor nerve signals. At Allied Pain & Spine Institute in Mountain View, we offer peripheral neuropathy treatment for our patients, offering effective options to manage the symptoms.
There are different types of peripheral neuropathy: mononeuropathy, polyneuropathy, acute and chronic. Mononeuropathy refers to single nerves that are affected (sciatica or carpal tunnel are examples of singular nerve conditions), while polyneuropathy affects multiple nerves. Both can be either acute, occurring quickly, or chronic, occurring slowly over time.
In addition to types of neuropathy, there are further classifications of the types of nerves affected. Motor, sensory or autonomic nerves can be affected, which can cause different symptoms. Motor nerve damage can create weakness, paralysis and spasms. Sensory nerve damage can cause pain, numbness or loss of sensation. Autonomic nerve damage may result in bladder, sweat gland and other organ function issues.
Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy
One of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. More than half of people with diabetes will encounter some level of neuropathy. Many people with diabetes can experience numbness, pain or burning in the feet and extremities due to peripheral nerve damage. Other causes include:
- Infections like HIV, hepatitis, Epstein-Barr, Lyme disease and shingles
- Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and vasculitis
- Genetic nerve disorders
- A disease that affects major organs like the kidneys, liver or thyroid
- Tumors
- Some bone marrow disorders or diseases
Peripheral neuropathy can be treated, but getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step. Symptoms can mimic other disorders, making it difficult to diagnose. Our pain specialists at Allied Pain & Spine Institute understand the various factors that can cause peripheral neuropathy and how to accurately diagnose this condition. Once diagnosed, we can create an effective treatment plan through our multidisciplinary approach to give patients relief from their symptoms. Treatments can include physiotherapy, injection therapy, TENS machines and medication management.
If you suffer from peripheral neuropathy or have symptoms of nerve damage, contact Allied Pain & Spine Institute today to schedule an appointment with one of our pain specialists to explore diagnosis and treatment options. We have a clinic in Mountain View, as well as San Jose and Los Gatos.
