Skills for coping with peripheral neuropathy
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Skills for coping with peripheral neuropathy
Every day, upwards of 20 million Americans suffer from a condition called peripheral neuropathy. The best way to describe the sensation these individuals experience is a feeling of burning, pain, tingling, numbness or a “pins and needles” perception in an arm or leg. These sensations never go away and are felt on a daily basis.
Trying to live a normal life with peripheral neuropathy is not easy. Just being able to walk a small distance can turn into a painful episode. Knowing at least the basics of this condition can help to understand what a person is experiencing and even though it is not curable, at least it can be made easier to live with.
What peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is not a single disease. It is a general term for a series of disorders that result from damage to the body’s peripheral nervous system. Because of the damage, the nerves connecting the brain and spinal cord to the legs, feet, arms or hands – the extremities - are affected the most. As a result, nerves transmit signals poorly or activate spontaneously. Depending on which nerves are damages and how badly, you may experience pain or numbness, a burning or tingling sensation, increased sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness, or other symptoms in the extremities connected to the affected nerves.
Who is at risk?
Diabetes is the most common risk factor for peripheral neuropathy. This is especially so for those who have had the disease for more than 25 years or have poorly controlled blood sugar. Even people with prediabetes can be at an elevated risk.
Other people who are at an increased risk include smokers, drug abusers, individuals undergoing chemotherapy, and anyone with an autoimmune disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Also anyone with liver or kidney disease, or a vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B12, or iron deficiency is at risk. Carpal tunnel syndrome is another risk factor for peripheral neuropathy due to the mechanical damage that can occur. In about 30 percent of cases, there is no known cause identified.
Diagnosing peripheral neuropathy
To confirm a diagnosis of this condition, there are quick neurological tests of one’s ability to detect pain, light touch, and vibration on the skin, as well as evaluating reflexes and muscle strength. If test results indicate peripheral neuropathy, then additional tests may be done to determine what type it is. There are over 100 different types of peripheral neuropathy with varying causes, symptoms, and types of nerve damage.
Making life easier with peripheral neuropathy
Fortunately, there are many ways to effectively manage and cope with a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. There more you put these lifestyle habits a part of your regular routine, the more manageable it will become.
· Take care of feet, especially if you have diabetes – Check feet daily for signs of blisters, cuts, or calluses. Tight shoes and socks can worsen pain and tingling and may lead to sores that won’t heal. Wear soft, loose cotton socks and padded shoes.
· Quit smoking – Cigarette smoking can affect circulation, increasing the risk of foot problems and possibly amputation.
· Eat healthy meals – Healthy eating should emphasize low-fat meals and dairy products and include lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
· Drink alcohol in moderation
· Massage – Massage your feet and hands or have someone massage them for you. Massage helps improve circulation, stimulates nerves and may temporarily relieve pain.
· Avoid prolonged pressure – Don’t keep your knees crossed or lean on your elbows for long periods at a time. Doing so may cause new nerve damage.
· Get out of the house – When you have severe pain, it’s natural to want to be alone. But this only makes it easier to focus on your pain. Instead, visit a friend, go to a movie or take a walk.
· Get moving – Develop an exercise program that works for you to maintain your optimum fitness. It gives you something you can control and provides so many benefits to your physical and emotional well-being. Also consider physical therapy to help develop an exercise program that suits you best.
· Seek and accept support – It is not a sign of weakness to ask for or accept help when you need it. Welcome support from family or friends and consider joining a chronic pain support group.
· Neurofeedback - A type of biofeedback, neurofeedback is being studied as a treatment for neuropathy induced from chemotherapy. It involves placing electrodes on the scalp to monitor pain-related brain waves, which are displayed on a video screen – the patients are taught how to alter their brain waves and thus to reduce pain.
· Relaxation techniques - Deep, controlled breathing and progressive muscle relaxation are possible techniques to try to reduce pain. Acupuncture is another option for pain even though the evidence for it is limited.