The Top Symptoms and Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a condition of the nervous system that affects more than 20 million Americans. This common condition is a result of damage to the Peripheral Nervous System, which is responsible for sending signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Neuropathy results in extreme pain, weakness, and other symptoms throughout various parts of the body. The most commonly affected areas are the hands and feet, but other areas can be affected such as the back, face, and legs.

Top Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

There is a wide range of symptoms that stem from peripheral neuropathy, but these are the most commonly experienced symptoms: 

• Onset of numbness or the feeling of pins and needles in the hands and feet. This numbness or tingling may spread up into the arms and legs. 
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Muscle weakness
• Stumbling, falling, or a lack of coordination
• Sharp, burning or throbbing pains 
• Pain or cramping when walking
• Heat intolerance/excessive sweating
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, drops in blood pressure

Our bodies are composed of three different types of nerves, which are sensory, motor, and autonomic. The list of symptoms above covers the most common symptoms for each category of nerves. Those suffering from peripheral neuropathy may experience one, or many of these symptoms.

Top Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be caused by a wide range of conditions, and can also stem from certain circumstances unique to each individual. The leading causes of neuropathy include: 

• Diabetes (The most common cause) 
• Autoimmune Diseases (such as Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Vasculitis, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome)
• Injuries/Pressure on Nerves
• Infections (Viral and Bacterial) 
• Bone Marrow Disorders
• Kidney Disease
• Liver Disease
• Under-active Thyroid
• Connective Tissue Disorders
• Alcoholism
• Exposure to Poisons
• Medications 
• Vitamin Deficiencies

Why You Should Choose Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas to Help Treat Your Neuropathy

At Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas, we prioritize treating the source of your pain, not just your symptoms. By using an integrated approach to wellness and medical care, our techniques and treatments are drug free and completely non-invasive, optimizing your chances of a quick and painless recovery from your symptoms. Neuropathy is a difficult condition to pinpoint because it can be anywhere in the body. At NPC, we perform a comprehensive intake and physical exam to find and customize a treatment plan that is right for you. Regardless if you need a simple treatment plan for a simple issue, or a plan that is more complex for issues like diabetic peripheral neuropathy, we are here to help you along your journey to pain free living. Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas are dedicated to making an accurate diagnosis and finding the right treatment for your neuropathy symptoms. 

For more information about how we can treat your peripheral neuropathy pain, click here, and visit our Facebook page for the latest updates and news about NPC and our services! To make an appointment, click here and download your Welcome Packet.