Neuropathy in Boston
If you’re one of the 20 million Americans affected by symptoms of neuropathy, the specialists at Boston Advanced Medicine offer solutions to improve your quality of life. Diabetes and injuries can severely interfere with your body’s communication system, damaging your nerves and causing a variety of intrusive symptoms. Find out more about treatment options available for neuropathy by calling the office today.
Neuropathy Q & A
What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves in your peripheral nervous system. It’s this system of nerves that connects your spinal cord and brain to the rest of your body.
When any of the nerves in this system become damaged, from injury or diseases like diabetes, it affects how your body and brain communicate.
Within the peripheral nervous system are three types of nerves that ensure your body functions properly.
The sensory nerves carry signals through the spinal cord to your brain to help you recognize sensations, like hot and cold. The motor nerves take messages away from your brain that tell your muscles how respond to stimuli, such as getting your bare feet away from hot pavement.
You also have autonomic nerves that control functions of the body that you hardly think about, such as your blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion.
Damage to any of these nerve cells can cause a variety of symptoms that interfere with your senses, coordination, and physical health.
What are the symptoms of neuropathy?
Your neuropathy symptoms depend on the system where nerve damage occurs. If the damage affects your sensory nerves, you may experience tingling or numbness in your hands and feet or lose your reflexes and coordination. You may also lose the ability to feel temperature changes or experience touch or pain.
If your motor nerves get damaged, you may have symptoms like muscle weakness, frequent cramping, and a loss of muscle control. These issues may cause you to fall or make it difficult to move certain parts of your body.
When the autonomic nerves are affected, physical symptoms may develop, such as:
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Weight loss
- Digestion problems
- Abnormal heart rate or blood pressure
Autonomic nerve damage can also result in urination difficulties and sexual dysfunction.
What treatments are available for neuropathy?
Treating neuropathy often involves identifying the underlying cause of nerve damage and treating it to reduce the progression of the condition.
The specialists at Boston Advanced Medicine also create a custom treatment plan with the goal to improve your functionality and reduce your pain. They may recommend pain-relieving medications to keep you comfortable.
Physical therapy can also improve your strength, balance, and coordination, while changes to your diet ensure you’re providing your body what it needs to remain strong and functioning optimally.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about treatment options for neuropathy by calling our office today.
