Understanding Neuropathy in Fort Wayne

Do you suffer from peripheral neuropathy in Fort Wayne and are looking for relief?  Dr. Joel Feeman of New Life Chiropractic explains what neuropathy is and what your treatment options are.

Peripheral neuropathy, often referred to as neuropathy, is a condition that results when the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord become damaged.

This portion of the nervous system is called the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which connects the brain and spinal cord to the receptors and sensory organs, such as the eyes and ears, as well as other organs of the body, muscles, blood vessels, and glands.

There are also 12 cranial nerves, and spinal nerves, as well as the autonomic nerves which are also part of the PNS.

Because the peripheral nerves are what gather and send messages to the spinal cord and brain for processing, when damaged, they can cause many possible symptoms.  Symptoms commonly experienced with peripheral neuropathy may include those of pain, numbness, and weakness in the hands and feet.  In many cases, neuropathy patients describe their pain as stabbing, burning or sometimes tingling.

Commonly, these patients may also find themselves dealing with debilitating balance issues¹, which can lead to falls and further damage.

Although there are different types of neuropathy, one of the most common ones is diabetic neuropathy.²    In fact, about half of people with diabetes will have this type of neuropathy.³

Other types of neuropathies may include:

• Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• the neuropathy that accompanies multiple sclerosis
• the neuropathy that happens when a nerve root is impinged upon at the level just outside the spine and spinal canal

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Shocking News About Kids with Diabetes

In children who have diabetes for five years or longer, about half have diabetic neuropathy. Up to 25% of children that are newly diagnosed with diabetes have neuropathy.⁴

This means that all these diabetic children will not be able to play on the playground like other children if the neuropathy is in their legs and/or arms.

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Why Neuropathy Happens To Those in Fort Wayne IN

Neuropathy occurs when there’s an injury to the peripheral nerves, whether this affects one nerve or more than one nerve, such as in a bunch of nerves that come out of the same trunk or cord. ⁵

Whenever a nerve is injured, it ‘cries out’ for help. Therefore, symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling sensations, and other strange feelings occur with neuropathy for those in Fort Wayne.

When the messages to and from the brain are distorted by neuropathy, there may be a loss of signaling, inappropriate signaling or errors in the messages that are being sent.

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You Can Get Neuropathy from Reasons Other Than Injury

Damage to the peripheral nerves is commonly caused by a lack of blood flow to the hands and feet.  When the nerves are deprived of the necessary oxygen and nutrients, they become diseased and shrivel.⁵

Different types of infections can also cause neuropathy², such as the cytomegalovirus (CMV), shingles virus, tuberculosis, and Lyme disease. If there’s a growth in the body, such as a lipoma, lymphoma, or even a growth on top of a nerve, it can compress a nerve and cause nerve damage, thus resulting in neuropathy.  Radiation treatments for cancer can also cause neuropathy.  Exposure to toxins is likewise a common cause of nerve irritation and damage.²

Even inflammation that occurs after any type of surgery can cause neuropathy.⁶ This is why doctors often tell their surgical patients that their nerve symptoms will most likely go away in time. Once the inflammation goes away, the compression on the nerve will be alleviated and the nerve can then begin functioning as it did before.

With all these causes of neuropathy, you can see that you are not alone if you have this condition.  In fact, more than 20 million people in the U.S. are estimated to have neuropathy.⁷

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Common Neuropathy Treatments

Neuropathy sufferers in Fort Wayne are most commonly recommended treatments that aim to manage the condition while alleviating pain.  In other words, because it is often looked upon as difficult to heal, medications including pain relievers, anti-seizure medications, and antidepressants are looked upon as the only possible solutions.⁸

The good news is that neuropathy does have solutions.  In fact, at New Life Chiropractic Center, we have been successfully helping neuropathy patients get relief with our non-invasive, multifaceted approach to healing.

Recovery is possible.  Imagine being able to sleep through the night, regain healthy balance, walk further, enjoy spending time with your family or being able to vacation without having pain ruin your life.

Schedule a time at New Life Chiropractic to see how we might be able to help.

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References:

1. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/peripheral-neuropathy
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061
3. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diabetes/diabetic-neuropathy-nerve-problems
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25410219/
5. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14737-neuropathy
6. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/786290
7. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Peripheral-Neuropathy-Fact-Sheet (*NOTE: As of 2024, this article is no longer accessible.)
8. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352067