The Causes of Neuropathy in Bonita Springs, FL

Millions of Americans suffer from peripheral neuropathy. This chronic nerve condition ranges in severity from mild tingling to pain, muscle weakness and loss of physical abilities. When your brain or spinal cord are damaged, the body is no longer able to process sensory information appropriately. This can result in hundreds of types of neuropathy.

Neuropathy symptoms include tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, but when left untreated, can spread and worsen over time. Here’s what causes peripheral neuropathy in Bonita Springs, FL—read on for more information about treatment options:

• Autoimmune disorders: HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune disorders can cause neuropathy. If you have been diagnosed with one of these disorders, you have a higher-than-normal chance of developing neuropathy. Talk to your doctors about the chances as well as what you can do to help prevent it.
• Alcoholism: Alcoholism reduces your body’s ability to absorb and process vitamins, which causes neuropathy. If you’re a heavy drinker, you may experience neuropathy symptoms throughout your life.
• Genetic disorders: There are many genetic disorders that will cause peripheral neuropathy, or make it more likely that you will develop the disease. This nerve damage creates pain in the muscles and extremities.
• Medications: Certain medications may treat one issue while damaging your nervous system. This results in neuropathy. Chemotherapy is the most widely recognized medication that can cause neuropathy.
• Diabetes: About 50 percent of people who have diabetes develop neuropathy of some type. If you have diabetes, it’s important that you work with your doctor to form a prevention plan. It may not be able to entirely prevent peripheral neuropathy, but you should be able to reduce symptoms.
• Vitamin deficiency: Finally, vitamin deficiency puts you at risk for neuropathy. You need to make sure you’re getting appropriate levels of vitamins B1, B6, B12 and E to maintain healthy nerves.

TREATMENT FOR NEUROPATHY

There is help available for neuropathy, even if your medical doctor says there’s nothing that can be done. Working with a certified neurologist can help you discover the right approach to peripheral neuropathy treatment in Bonita Springs, FL. Whenever possible, addressing the root cause of the symptoms will make a huge difference—that is, make sure you stop drinking alcohol, get the right amount of vitamins and consider changing your medications if possible.

Once you’ve worked with your medical doctor and neurologist on reducing the root cause of your neuropathy, your neurologist can recommend a course of treatment. Some people benefit from red LED light or low-level infrared light therapy, which heal and regenerate the small nerve endings in your hands and feet. You might also try electrical stimulation therapy, which sends gentle electric pulses around the nerves. This will help improve nerve function, increase your range of movement and reduce pain.

Your neurologist may also recommend lifestyle changes and vitamin supplements to help speed your progress.

To schedule an appointment with a neurologist, call Hiler Chiropractic & Neurology in Bonita Springs, FL today. We’ll work with you to form a treatment plan to address your peripheral neuropathy.