Painful tingling, heat and cold feelings, or shooting pains may occur in the afflicted region in those with peripheral neuropathy. Hands and feet are common sites for the onset of neuropathy symptoms. Yet, since peripheral nerves may be found throughout the body, it is conceivable to have symptoms in other areas. Luckily, being able to deal with and control the pain caused by neuropathy may have a profound impact on your quality of life. With Alexandria neurology and the following tips, you can effectively manage neuropathy:
- Diet
A balanced diet with the greatest foods to promote a healthy nervous system should be maintained. Consider seeing a dietitian for advice. Fruits, vegetables, and lean omega-3-rich proteins like fish and eggs are good foods you should consume to obtain enough vitamin B-12.
- Exercise
You improve muscle tone with exercise, which may alleviate certain neuropathy symptoms. Many health problems may lead to neuropathy, although regular exercise can help. The onset of peripheral neuropathy is one of the complications associated with diabetes. Regular exercise may aid blood sugar regulation, lowering the likelihood of developing diabetes and associated consequences. If you are at risk of neuropathy, you may also benefit from exercise since it lowers blood pressure in the peripheral veins.
- Avoid smoking
Tobacco smoking increases the likelihood of developing peripheral neuropathy because it reduces blood flow to the extremities and may cause permanent damage to the veins in the extremities. Even when another ailment or lifestyle factor is the main cause of neuropathy, it might increase nerve damage symptoms. Quitting smoking ensures better blood flow and healthier blood vessels.
- Relaxation methods
It has been suggested that learning how to relax might assist you if you are suffering from neuropathy to cope with the discomfort. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and gradual relaxation might help. Yoga, tai chi, and blended stretching are stress-reduction and posture-improvement exercises that may help alleviate neuropathy’s unpleasant symptoms.
- Medications
Medications used to alleviate the signs and symptoms of neuropathy include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Analgesics are used to dull pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, available without a prescription, may help with discomfort. If your symptoms get worse, your doctor may prescribe pain medication.
- Opioid medications, including tramadol (Conzip, Ultram, and others) and oxycodone (Oxycontin, Roxicodone, and others), may cause addiction and dependency; thus, they are often only recommended after other therapies have failed.
- Medication to prevent seizures. You can alleviate nerve pain with medications like gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin, Horizant) and pregabalin (Lyrica), first created to treat epilepsy.
- Topical treatments. You can achieve little but noticeable relief from peripheral neuropathy symptoms using capsaicin cream, which includes a compound found in hot peppers. The area of your skin where you applied the cream may initially feel hot and irritated, but this should pass.
- Antidepressants. Amitriptyline, doxepin (Silenor, Zonalon), and nortriptyline (Pamelor) are three examples of tricyclic antidepressants that alleviate pain by blocking neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord.
Neuropathy can affect your quality of life significantly. However, you can put the agony aside if you know how to manage your condition. If neuropathy has become bothersome, seek Integrated Neurology Services today for relief.