Many of us may have experienced the weird “pins and needles” sensation that commonly occurs when pressure is applied to one’s nerves after sitting or standing for too long.
This usually goes away once body position is change and the pressure is relieved from the nerves and blood vessels. But if it does not, it may be a sign of an underlying problem called neuropathy.
Neuropathy, also referred to as peripheral neuropathy, is a medical condition that results from nerve irritation or nerve damage. It is characterized by a feeling of numbness, pain, and burning and tingling sensations that do not simply go away.
The range of complications may vary depending on which nerves are affected. If motor nerves are damaged, a patient may experience muscle weakness and atrophy.
Whereas if autonomic nerves are involved, bowel and bladder control, as well as other body functions may be affected.
Read more about the 6 things that you need to know about neuropathy here. You may also check out the 4 most common causes of neuropathy and the top 3 solutions to ease the symptoms in this article.
There are different types of neuropathy.
As its name suggests, peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which carries information from our body to our brain (and vice versa), get damaged.
Peripheral neuropathy is subdivided into three categories depending on which nerves are affected: autonomic, motor, and sensory nerves. This also explains why the symptoms may vary from person to person.
There are certain foods that need to be avoided.
Much like other medical conditions, some foods may cause peripheral neuropathy to worsen. Foods with high sugar, gluten, and saturated fat content may contribute to peripheral neuropathy flare up.
While those that are rich in vitamin B12 complex such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and milk can help promote proper nerve functioning when taken in moderation.
Below are foods that can help you heal nerve damages:
And speaking of healthy foods, you might want to check out some foods to avoid fatty liver.
There are risk factors to peripheral neuropathy.
Some people are more prone to developing forms of peripheral neuropathy than others. Aging is one of the leading causes of this condition as nerves naturally and gradually deteriorate through time. Excessive consumption of alcohol can also make things worse. Ten to twenty percent of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also develop peripheral neuropathy as a side effect.
Symptoms may vary from person to person.
While peripheral neuropathy may cause tingling sensation and numbness to the hands and feet in general, the degree of discomfort may still vary from person to person. The experience may also be different depending on which nerves are affected.
Therapies can help ease the pain.
While there are medications that can help reduce the amount of pain in the affected areas, there are also physical and occupational therapies that can relieve discomfort. These can help improve coordination and balance, reduce cramps and pain, and regain fine motor skills for patients.
You can still live a normal life with neuropathy.
You may not be able to do the things that you used to enjoy with neuropathy but with proper health care and management, doing things by yourself is still possible. Just make sure to keep your place well-lit and avoid things that may cause you to trip or fall. Install rags and handrails for added safety.
