Peripheral Neuropathy: Recognizing the Early Symptoms

As opposed to your central nervous system, your peripheral nervous system runs outside of your brain and spinal cord. Peripheral nerves can be classified as either somatic or autonomic.

A peripheral neuropathy occurs when one of your peripheral nerves is damaged. Pain, tingling, and even numbness are all well-known symptoms of neuropathy, but they’re not the only ones.

To learn how to recognize peripheral neuropathy early in its development, here are a few tips.

Neuropathy in the early stages

The symptoms of neuropathy vary depending on which peripheral nerve is affected, such as diabetes, injuries, exposure to toxins, and cancer.

Sensory nerves

Various sensations are relayed one-way by your sensory nerves to your brain by your sensory nerves. The sensory nerves transmit information about pain, temperature, and pressure. When you pick up a hot cup of coffee, the sensory nerves tell your brain that it is hot. Symptoms of damaged sensory nerves include:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Burning sensations
• Pins and needles sensations
• Feeling like your hands or feet always fall asleep.

You may also experience vertigo if one of the vestibular nerves is damaged.

For example, if your sensory nerves are damaged, you might burn yourself if your brain doesn’t receive instructions to move your hand when you touch a hot pan.

Motor nerves

Muscle weakness, muscle loss, and cramping are the first symptoms you might experience if your motor nerves are damaged or dysfunctional.

Autonomic nerves

The autonomic nerves control your breathing, digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure involuntarily. Nerve damage to one of these nerves is known as autonomic peripheral neuropathy. An early sign of autonomic peripheral neuropathy is a sudden drop in blood pressure, urinary retention, and constipation.

Peripheral neuropathy: what you need to know

In addition to causing discomfort, peripheral neuropathy can lead to unwanted complications. For example, diabetics may not realize a sore on their foot can be caused by peripheral neuropathy.

There are several potential treatments for you:

• Nerve damage can be prevented by managing underlying health conditions.
• Oral medications and topical creams for pain relief
• Nerve pain can also be alleviated by other medications (including antiseizure medications).
• Physiotherapy
• Therapy that involves intervention
• Electrical stimulation of the nerves through the skin (TENS)
• Surgery with minimally invasive techniques

You can contact our office at 949-588-8833, or visit our website at https://www.ocfootdoctor.com/ Our offices are located in Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa.