When peripheral nerves are damaged, a condition called peripheral neuropathy can happen. This condition usually makes the hands and feet weak, numb, and painful. The quality of life can be greatly affected by this problem, which can cause a lot of pain. There are, however, a number of techniques and treatments that can help control and ease the pain of peripheral neuropathy. This article talks about successful ways to relieve pain, such as medications, physical therapy, alternative therapies, and making changes to your lifestyle.
How to Understand Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by many things, such as diabetes, infections, genetic diseases, being exposed to toxins, and physical accidents. Symptoms can be very different, but they often include tingle, burning pain, weakness in the muscles, and being sensitive to touch. Pain control that works is very important because it can keep the condition from getting worse and make people feel better overall.
Medicines
Pain killers you can buy over the counter
Generic pain killers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help with low to moderate pain. Even though these are easy to get, they might not be enough for people with serious neuropathic pain.
Medicines with a prescription
Antidepressants: Amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and duloxetine are some examples of antidepressants that can help treat neuropathic pain. They change the chemicals in the brain and spinal cord that control how we feel pain.
Anticonvulsants:
For neuropathic pain, drugs like gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) are often recommended. By keeping nerve action stable, these drugs help ease nerve pain.
Topically applied treatments:
You can put on the painful places creams, gels, or patches that contain capsaicin or lidocaine. Capsaicin, which comes from chili peppers, relieves pain by blocking substance P, a pain messenger in nerves. Lidocaine, on the other hand, numbs the area to make it less painful.
Opioids
Opioids like tramadol or oxycodone may be given in very bad cases. These are usually only used as a last option and are closely watched by doctors because they can make you dependent on them and cause other problems.
Therapy for the body
Physical treatment is an important part of taking care of peripheral neuropathy. A physical therapist can make an exercise plan just for you that will help you get stronger, more flexible, and better coordinated. Regular exercise can also help diabetics keep their blood sugar levels under control, which is very important to keep nerve damage from getting worse.
Work out
Walking, swimming, and cycling are all low-impact workouts that can help ease pain and make your body work better overall. These exercises bring more blood to the limbs, which can help nerves heal.
Therapy with hands
Massage and manipulation are two techniques that can help ease muscle strain and boost circulation. This may help lower the pain and discomfort that come with neuropathy.
Devices that help
Braces, splints, and special shoes are some of the tools that can help you move around better and feel less pain. They support nerves and muscles that are hurt and ease the load on them.
Therapies that are different or extra
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an old Chinese method of healing that includes putting thin needles into certain body parts. It is thought that this method will stimulate the nervous system and make chemicals that relieve pain come out. Acupuncture may help reduce neuropathy pain and improve nerve function, according to some studies.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a method that helps people take charge of their bodies by letting them control things like blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle stress. Patients can feel less pain and stress by learning to control these processes. This method can be especially helpful for people whose pain gets worse when they are stressed or anxious.
Herbal Remedies
A few herbal remedies, like evening primrose oil and alpha-lipoic acid, have been shown to help ease neuropathic pain. But it’s important to talk to a doctor before starting any herbal treatments because they can affect how other medicines work.
Changes in lifestyle
A good diet
For healthy nerves, you need to eat a varied diet full of vitamins and minerals. A lot of nutrients, like vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium, are important for keeping nerves working well. These important nutrients can be found in foods like fish, lean meats, nuts, and leafy veggies.
Not drinking alcohol or smoking
Both drinking and smoking can make the signs of peripheral neuropathy worse. Nerves can be hurt by alcohol, and smoking cuts off blood flow to nerves in the body. Giving up smoking and drinking less booze can help you deal with your symptoms and keep nerve damage from getting worse.
Keeping an eye on blood sugar levels
Keeping blood sugar levels at the right amount is very important for people with diabetes. High blood sugar can hurt nerves even more and make symptoms worse. Neuropathy can be slowed down by keeping an eye on and controlling blood sugar levels on a regular basis.
Help with Mental Health
Having pain all the time can be bad for your mental health. Psychological help, like therapy and support groups, can help people with neuropathy deal with the mental parts of the disease.
CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) helps people change the way they think and act when they are having bad thoughts. It can help a lot with managing chronic pain by showing people how to deal with stress and cope with problems.
Groups that help
By joining a support group, you can feel like you’re part of a community and share your feelings. It can be comforting and inspiring to talk to people who understand how hard it is to live with peripheral neuropathy.
Improvements in technology
Electrical Nerve Stimulation Through the Skin (TENS)
A machine that sends electrical impulses through the skin to the nerves is used in TENS treatment. By stopping pain messages from getting to the brain, these impulses can help ease pain. You can use a TENS unit at home, which is an easy way to deal with pain.
Stimulation of the spinal cord
In more serious cases, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) might be a good idea. For this to work, a device that blocks pain messages from reaching the spinal cord must be implanted. Even though it is more invasive, SCS can help some people a lot.
Therapy with virtual reality
New studies show that virtual reality (VR) therapy may help patients forget about their pain and feel better. Immersive experiences used in VR therapy can help people feel less pain and better about their mood.
In conclusion
Peripheral neuropathy can make it hard to do things, but there are many efficient ways to manage and relieve pain. A complete plan that includes everything from medicine and physical therapy to alternative therapies and changes in living can make a big difference in the quality of life for those who are affected. Working with your doctor to make a personalized pain management plan that fits your wants and conditions is very important. Controlling pain and living a busy, satisfying life are both possible with the right mix of treatments.