Neuropathy

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that describes damage to the nerves. As a result of this damage, your nerves aren’t able to function normally, and you can develop chronic pain and other symptoms that become debilitating.

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of neuropathy. Uncontrolled high blood sugar levels damage or destroy the cells of the nerves, interfering with the communication process between the nerves and your brain.

Other common causes of neuropathy include:

• Tumors
• Trauma
• Infections
• Organ disease
• Autoimmune disorders

You can also develop neuropathy if you receive treatments for cancer or have an untreated vitamin B deficiency.

In some cases, neuropathy develops for no identifiable reason, a condition known as idiopathic neuropathy.

What are the symptoms of neuropathy?

Neuropathy symptoms depend on the type of nerves that are damaged by disease or trauma. Your sensory nerves allow you to experience sensations like pain, temperature changes, and touch. 

You also have motor nerves that control muscle movements, and autonomic nerves that control functions like digestion, blood pressure, and heart rate.

If there’s damage to your sensory nerves, you may experience electric shock-like pain in your hands, feet, arms, and legs.

Other common symptoms of sensory nerve damage include:

• Tingling
• Burning
• Weakness
• Extra sensitivity to touch

Motor nerve damage can result in muscle weakness and loss of coordination or balance. If you have damage in your autonomic nerves, you may experience loss of bladder control, intolerance to heat, or changes in your blood pressure or heart rate.

What treatments are available for neuropathy?

To ease the pain and other symptoms of neuropathy, Dr. Patel may first recommend medications and physical therapy. If they aren’t enough to treat your pain, she may recommend minimally invasive nerve blocks.

A nerve block involves an injection of corticosteroids and a numbing agent into areas of the body where you have nerve damage. Dr. Patel offers several types of nerve blocks to treat neuropathy-related pain in your:

• Face and neck
• Arms and legs
• Pelvis and knees
• Shoulders and chest

The nerve block medications interfere with pain signals that travel to your brain, so you get long-lasting pain relief. The corticosteroids also reduce inflammation that contributes to pain and limited range of motion. 

To ensure correct placement of the injection, Dr. Patel uses fluoroscopy technology, specialized real-time X-ray imaging, to guide the needle into place.

It may take several days for you to experience the full effect of the nerve block. You can expect to rest for the remainder of the day but should be able to return to your usual activities, except strenuous exercise, within 24 hours.

To learn more about neuropathy treatments call Delmarva Pain and Spine Center or request an appointment online today.