Hey Team!

I left the bank yesterday and bumped into a former patient I had not seen in quite a while. We will name him Bill… to protect the innocent. Ha! But this interaction started a good discussion on how he is doing overall. As we were wrapping up our talk, he mentioned how he enjoyed these blogs and is thankful I am writing them. (Very kind of him to say). I told Bill, "thank you," and expressed how it meant the world to me to hear this. I also offered to write about a topic he is interested in, as this is my little reward for people who reach out to me about things I write. So, here we are today… talking about neuropathy! Thanks, Bill!

 

NEUROPATHY: BASIC BREAKDOWN

 

What exactly is neuropathy, and how we get it is a common question when people first hear the term. In the fundamental root of the word, it is a pathology of the nerves. Uhh? Well, let's dig deeper. The spinal cord is a collection of tracts running together originating from the brain. These tracts run from the spine, exit the neck, and as late as the tailbone (sacrum). Nerves exiting the spine's sides will collect together and become a large nerve to innervate (connect to) the arms or legs' muscles. These nerves are now called Peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves will start very large, like the sciatic nerve but become smaller as they branch into smaller parts while traveling to the hand or foot. Eventually, the nerves become very small at the end of the body part (hand or foot). Other nerves of the body leave the spine and innervate the body's organs, and they, too, become tiny at innervation. Some examples of small nerves are in the feet, eyes, or organs of the kidneys/liver.

 

I'M NOT FEELING IT-LITERALLY

 

Now that we have explained the basic principle of a nerve's anatomy, we can explain neuropathy's cause. Neuropathy occurs due to disruption of nerve transmission to a small nerve of the body, but how? The result - is a lack of sensation or feeling in the surrounding area. Essentially, the site is left numb but may have other symptoms such as burning, aching, or muscle weakness. What is the cause of this damage? Neuropathy has a long history of association with diabetes, to the extent, and is initially labeled diabetic neuropathy. However, more recently, professionals have sought to remove this misnamer due to neuropathy having multiple causes and rename this a broad term of Peripheral Neuropathy.

Here are the most common symptoms of neuropathy:

•          Prickling or tingling in your feet or hands and can begin to extend up the arms or legs

•          Sharp jabbing, throbbing, or burning pain, extreme sensitivity to touch

•          Pain during activities that shouldn't cause pain: sitting and resting or walking

•          Lack of coordination and falling, muscle weakness

•          Feeling as if you're wearing gloves or socks

•          Paralysis if motor nerves are affected

We have a good understanding now of the presentation of Peripheral Neuropathy presents. We also understand this damages the nerves and produces specific symptoms in the hands or feet. Pain/numbness/ burning are also classic symptoms. Our understanding of Peripheral Neuropathy is growing, but what about other causes?

 

FIVE CAUSES OF NEUROPATHY

 

1.     Diabetes: Diabetes is without question the number one reason for developing neuropathy. Diabetes is an inability of the body to effectively take glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream and into your cells. Researchers feel over time, uncontrolled blood sugars damage nerves and interfere with their ability to send signals. Once these nerves are damaged, the result is nerve damage causing numbness/tingling/pain.

2.     Autoimmune Disease: certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can damage the peripheral nerves, slowly creating neuropathy to the lower legs or hands.

3.     Tumors: The growth of a tumor around a nerve will slowly create numbness or tingling to the skin's sensory area supplying that body region. Usually, neuropathies are to the hands or feet, but a tumor can create tingling even in the thigh.

4.     Trauma or prolonged pressure: We all have experienced lying on the arm improperly while sleeping and the hand falling "asleep." Prolonged stress to a nerve will create the same response, resulting in numbness or tingling. The longer the nerve impinges, or the more severe the impingement, this will lead to increased or irreversible symptoms.

5.     Medications: Medications to treat cancer, such as chemotherapy drugs, may cause peripheral neuropathy.

 

Other causes are also present for neuropathy, but these are some of the most common. The common link to each of these is the disruption of nerve transmission. Once the nerve is damaged, the result is numbness, tingling, or pain in the surrounding tissues. Overall, neuropathy can be a problem for many people like Bill. What can we do to help?

 

FIVE TIPS TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF NEUROPATHY

 

·      Reduce blood sugars: Meeting with your primary care provider or a diabetic nurse will assist you in the education, administration, and execution of reduced blood sugar. The meeting may include a combination of diet modifications, exercise, or medications.

·      Reduce trauma to a nerve: Pressure to a nerve or consistent trauma will damage the nerve. Foot numbness and tingling may result from a fallen arch of the foot, thus creating excessive pressure. Improper shoes will result in poor pressure exchange of the sole and create damage to the resulting skin. Numbness or tingling will slowly present as a consequence.

·      Topical analgesics: Applying different topical rubs to the involved feet or hands will block pain transmission or tingling to the brain. Overall, this will result in less pain while resting, resulting in more quality sleep. Other options are certain essential oils to apply to the affected area to decrease inflammation or stinging from neuropathy.

·      Warm bath: If you are not too sensitive to temperature change and your skin can feel if the water is too hot… a warm bath is a great option to soothe or alleviate pain.

·      Exercise: Exercising properly and specifically in a balanced way to improve fitness, circulation, and overall health. Structured exercises should include balance training, strengthening the involved muscles (hand/feet), and coordination activities.

·      Vitamins: Vitamin B is necessary for your nerves' overall health, and Vitamin D can help prevent nerve pain. The skin experiences damage with neuropathy; therefore, Vitamin D production can lack so a supplement can reduce neuropathy symptoms.

 

Ok Team! Thank you to Bill for asking me to create a blog on neuropathy and ways to improve the symptoms. However, the most important message from this article should be the prevention of this disorder. From uncontrolled blood sugar to uncontrolled weight/blood pressure or cholesterol - these all affect the body's nerves. Maintaining a proper body mass index, quitting smoking, and improving general health will prevent many peripheral neuropathy causes. Thanks again for the feedback and questions. Feel free to fire away anytime to the email listed below. Thanks for reading!

 

•          The author, Rob Sumner, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of Sumner Specialized Physical Therapy. He's happy to answer any questions about this article, wellness, fitness, or physical therapy overall by phone at (509) 684-5621 or by email at Rob@SumnerPT.com