What is neuropathy?
In general, neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy, refers to any condition that damages your peripheral nervous system. Your peripheral nervous system includes all the nerves that run from your spinal cord to the organs, muscles, and tissues throughout your body.
Your peripheral nerves include:
Sensory nerves
Your sensory nerves provide sensory information from your body to your brain, such as touch, heat, cold, and pain.
Motor nerves
The motor nerves control muscle movement.
Autonomic nerves
Your autonomic nerves control body systems and movements you don’t consciously control, like digestion, heartbeat, and breathing.
Neuropathy may affect any one of these types of nerves.
What are the symptoms of neuropathy?
Neuropathy symptoms vary, depending on the type of nerves affected. Common symptoms include:
- Loss of feeling
- Burning or tingling sensation
- Pain
- Poor muscle coordination
- Poor balance
- Muscle cramps
- Muscle loss
- Excessive sweating
- Poor tolerance to heat or cold
- Problems with digestion
You may develop neuropathy from any number of causes, including injury, vascular problems, or an autoimmune condition. However, diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy.
How is neuropathy diagnosed?
When you visit New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center with concerns about neuropathy, Dr. Kumar conducts a thorough assessment so you can get an accurate diagnosis.
He asks detailed questions about your symptoms, medical history, and potential triggers (work routine, hobbies) and performs a physical exam. He also runs nerve conduction studies to confirm or rule out nerve damage or dysfunction to explain your symptoms.
How is neuropathy treated?
Treatment for neuropathy depends on the type of nerve damage you have, the location of the nerve damage, the severity of symptoms, and medical history.
Dr. Kumar takes a conservative approach to care and may recommend:
- Treatments to address the underlying cause of neuropathy
- Anticonvulsants to alleviate nerve-related pain
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Braces or splints
- Pain medication
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy
- Topical pain medication
- Lidocaine pain patches
For neuropathic conditions that involve the spine, Dr. Kumar may recommend minimally invasive spinal procedures such as a discectomy or decompression. He also offers spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain that fails to improve after medical or surgical interventions.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a type of neuropathy that affects the median nerve that runs from your arm into your hand. The condition develops from compression of the nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in your wrist.
Carpal tunnel syndrome may cause a tingling sensation in your hand and fingers that worsens over time. Dr. Kumar may recommend a hand splint, physical therapy, anticonvulsant medication, or steroid injections to manage carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.
Call New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center, or book an appointment online to schedule your neuropathy evaluation today.
