Neuropathy, most commonly known as nerve damage, can happen as a result of many different conditions, ranging from diabetes, chronic illnesses, or complications from treatments like chemotherapy. Peripheral neuropathy is a catch-all term for a variety of health conditions and problems that involve damage to the peripheral nerves. For people dealing with this issue, a peripheral neuropathy center can help alleviate the common symptoms associated with it and bring you towards a stress-free life.
At Regenerative Revival, we’re a team of reliable and experienced neuropathy doctors in the Woodlands area who want to provide safe, non-invasive methods to relieve the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Our detailed and customized medical approach takes into account clear signs of the condition such as weakness, numbness, or pain in your hands and feet. Peripheral neuropathy can develop suddenly or gradually over time, so getting the proper diagnosis and treatment is imperative to dealing with the symptoms earlier.
To provide sufficient relief for peripheral neuropathy, we’ll explore the steps we have to take during the process and how we can help you get back to feeling great once again.
How Is Peripheral Neuropathy Diagnosed?
If your general medical practitioner or family doctor thinks you may have some form of peripheral neuropathy, they may refer you to a neurologist specialist that is an expert in nerve ailments and diseases. Peripheral neuropathy may have many causes and risk factors connected to it. Aside from a general physical exam, a full diagnosis takes several key factors into account.
The most obvious first answer is a thorough medical history, wherein the neurologist will review your full medical history, including your daily symptoms, lifestyle habits, toxin exposure, and family history of neurological diseases. If anyone in your family did have peripheral neuropathy symptoms of their own, the doctor will then review their medical records, compare them with yours, and examine them for hereditary links.
Afterward, you can expect a neurological examination to take place. This is where a doctor can check your tendon reflexes, muscle strength and tone, ability to feel specific sensations, and overall posture and coordination. You may also undergo a blood test to detect any vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, abnormal immune functions, and other indicators of peripheral neuropathy.
Other tests for a diagnosis can include imaging tests for CT or MRI scans that look for herniated disks, pinched nerves, tumors, and other abnormalities around the blood vessels and bones. Nerve function tests conducted through an EMG device can help record electrical activity within your muscles to detect any irregularities. A nerve conduction study will then be applied to you, where flat electrodes are placed on your skin, delivering electrical currents that stimulate your nerves and their responses.
Lastly, you may also need to go through a nerve and skin biopsy during the full diagnosis. A nerve biopsy involves removing a small portion of your body’s sensory nerve to look for abnormalities. A skin biopsy happens when a doctor carefully removes a small portion of your skin to look for any damaged or reduced nerve endings.
After a diagnosis has been conducted, there are many subsequent treatments you’ll be recommended and have the choice to consider.
What Is The Current Treatment For Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy doesn’t have to be a debilitating ailment you’ll have to deal with for the rest of your life. While a cure doesn’t exist right now, there are many advanced treatments and medical technology available that may improve the conditions of people dealing with it.
Early diagnosis and treatment for the condition should be a priority because of the limited capacity to which nerves can regenerate. Treatment may only stop the progression and provide immediately, but temporary relief from symptoms. An example of peripheral neuropathy treatment is physical therapy, wherein the goal is to retain strength and avoid muscle cramps and spasms in your body. Certain prescription medications can also help mitigate painful symptoms. If all else fails, surgical treatments to repair nerve damage or compression from injury or nerve may be recommended. Other alternative treatments you may consider are CBD medication or foods with alpha-lipoic fatty acids.
Ultimately, the number of treatments and duration of peripheral neuropathy is different for everyone. Let’s explain how long it will take to see any improvements from this condition.
How Many Treatments Will I Need Before Seeing Any Improvements In My Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms?
The effects of peripheral neuropathy can be short-term symptoms that may go away after some initial treatment or medication. It may even be permanent and something you’ll have to manage in your daily life. Regardless of the diagnosis, our medical team at Regenerative Revival will apply the appropriate number of treatment methods to help you feel like yourself again.
By delivering an early diagnosis and taking preventative actions, the number of treatments you’re subject to can be kept to a minimum and you can otherwise go about your day pain-free. Afterward, you may expect to see some sort of improvement after treatments like physical therapy or medication. The experience is different for everyone, but we’ll be with you throughout the treatment process.
Contact Regenerative Revival today if you’ve been dealing with the early effects of peripheral neuropathy such as pain or numbness in your extremities. Book an appointment with us now to start receiving beneficial pain and symptom relief.