It can be scary to feel numbness in your hands, feet, or other body parts. Often called a “pins and needles” feeling, this feeling can be mild to severe and may be followed by pain, loss of feeling, or weakness. Nerve problems called neuropathy are one of the main reasons why limbs feel numb. These problems can be very painful and make it hard to do things. Understanding how numbness and neuropathy are connected can help you find better ways to treat and manage the disease.
What Is Neuropathy?
When peripheral nerves (nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord) get sick or don’t work right, this is called neuropathy. It is these nerves’ job to send messages from the brain to the body and back again. Nerve damage can make it so that signals aren’t sent correctly, which can cause numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness. Neuropathy can happen anywhere in the body, but it happens most often in the hands and feet. This type of neuropathy is called peripheral neuropathy.
There are several types of neuropathy, with the most common being diabetic neuropathy, which is a complication of diabetes. Other forms of neuropathy can be caused by infections, autoimmune diseases, trauma, toxins, or even certain medications.
Causes of Neuropathy
There are many things that can cause neuropathy, so it’s important to know what they are so you can get the right treatment. Some of the most common causes neuropathy include:
- Diabetes: Over time, having high blood sugar can hurt the small blood vessels that bring nerve-related blood. This can cause diabetes neuropathy. This is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy.
- Infections: An infection with a virus or bacteria can hurt nerves. For example, shingles can cause a form of neuropathy called postherpetic neuralgia.
- Trauma or Injury: Nerve damage can result from accidents, falls, or repetitive motion injuries. Carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, is a type of neuropathy caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist.
- Autoimmune Diseases: When you have rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, your immune system may attack your nerves, which can lead to neuropathy.
- Toxins and Medications: Nerves can be hurt by being exposed to heavy metals or some cancer drugs for a long time.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Nerve damage from not getting enough vitamins like B12 can cause weakness and other neuropathy symptoms.
How Neuropathy Leads to Numbness
Numbness in the extremities occurs when the nerves responsible for sensation are damaged or not functioning correctly. In the case of neuropathy, the nerve fibers that transmit sensory signals are disrupted, leading to a lack of feeling in the affected area. Several things, such as poor blood flow, inflammation, and direct nerve damage, can lead to this kind of harm.
When nerve fibers are damaged, the brain may receive incorrect or no signals from the extremities, resulting in numbness. In addition to numbness, individuals with neuropathy often experience other symptoms such as tingling, burning sensations, or even sharp, stabbing pain. These sensations may worsen at night or with prolonged use of the affected limbs.
Numbness Treatment: Managing Neuropathy Effectively
Treating numbness caused by neuropathy involves addressing the underlying cause of the condition. Managing a diabetic’s blood sugar, for example, can help stop nerve damage from getting worse and make symptoms better. Similarly, when neuropathy is caused by an autoimmune disease, immunosuppressive therapies may be necessary.
There are also various numbness treatment options available to alleviate the symptoms of neuropathy, including:
- Medications: Pain relievers, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants are often prescribed to manage nerve pain and discomfort.
- Physical Therapy: Stretching and strengthening routines can help people with neuropathy move around better and feel less weak.
- Topical Treatments: Creams or patches containing capsaicin or lidocaine can help reduce pain and discomfort in the affected areas.
- Surgical Options: In severe cases, surgery may be required to relieve pressure on damaged nerves.
At South Valley Neurology, specialists work closely with patients to identify the cause of neuropathy and develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Neurologists at South Valley Neurology are skilled at identifying different types of neuropathy and coming up with personalized treatment plans to help patients deal with their symptoms and make their lives better.
Conclusion
Neuropathy is a disease that can make your limbs feel numb. It can be caused by many things, like diabetes, infections, injuries, and more. To find effective solutions, it is very important to understand how neuropathy affects nerves and causes numbness. Medical experts can help people who are feeling numb by taking care of underlying conditions or looking into ways to relieve their symptoms. If you need specialized care, South Valley Neurology can help you handle neuropathy and get rid of the pain of numbness with expert diagnosis and treatment.
