How to Manage Your Neuropathy Symptoms

 Do you sometimes feel a tingling or burning sensation in your hands or feet? These sensations could be more than mere discomfort. They might be signs of neuropathy, a condition affecting millions of individuals in the US. 

At Modern Migraine MD, with offices in Manhattan, NYC, Toms River, New Jersey, Aventura, Florida, and seeing patients virtually across 13 states, board-certified neurologist Risa Ravitz, MD, is committed to helping you understand and manage neuropathy symptoms. 

If you’re worried about neuropathy, be sure to schedule a visit with a medical provider, since an accurate diagnosis is key to successful treatment. In the meantime, keep reading to learn what neuropathy is and how you can take steps to manage it, both at home and with professional medical care. 

Understanding neuropathy

Neuropathy refers to the damage or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves. This leads to weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in your hands and feet. 

The most common type of neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy, affecting the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord. Common symptoms of all types of neuropathy include:

• Tingling or burning sensations
• Sharp, stabbing pains
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of coordination

These symptoms can range from mild to severe and might severely impact your daily life if left untreated.

Managing neuropathy symptoms

Managing neuropathy symptoms is possible with some basic understanding and care. Here's how you can make daily life more comfortable:

Stay active

Engaging in regular exercise helps improve muscle strength and blood flow to the affected areas, reducing neuropathic pain. Gentle exercises like walking, swimming, or stretching can keep the muscles active without putting too much strain on the nerves.

Eat a balanced diet

A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, especially vitamin B, supports nerve health. Eating whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh fruits and vegetables can provide the nutrients required to maintain healthy nerve function, preventing further damage.

Mind your feet

If your neuropathy affects your feet, wearing comfortable shoes and regularly inspecting them for cuts or sores is vital. This regular care can prevent minor issues from turning into severe complications, like infections, that can make neuropathy symptoms worse.

Avoid alcohol and smoking

Alcohol and smoking can worsen nerve damage, so reducing or eliminating them can help alleviate symptoms. Smoking restricts blood flow to the peripheral nerves, while excessive alcohol can lead to vitamin deficiencies, both contributing to neuropathic pain.

Use warm water baths

Soaking the affected areas in warm water can ease discomfort by promoting blood flow and relaxing the muscles around the damaged nerves. Warm water baths can provide temporary relief and make daily activities more bearable.

Remember, while these self-care strategies can help you manage discomfort, they are not a substitute for professional medical care. Combining these at-home methods with a personalized treatment plan from a specialist ensures that you're targeting both the symptoms and the underlying cause of neuropathy.

Professional help for neuropathy

Neuropathy is a complex condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment. Self-diagnosis or self-treatment can lead to complications and worsening symptoms. That's where a neurologist comes into play.

As a board-certified neurologist, Dr. Ravitz at Modern Migraine MD, understands the intricacies of neuropathy and can develop a personalized neuropathy treatment plan tailored to your needs using electrodiagnostic studies. 

A comprehensive diagnostic visit reveals the underlying causes of your symptoms and helps us create a plan with the most effective therapies, from medication to physical therapy to lifestyle changes.

With professional care, you not only manage symptoms but also target the root cause of neuropathy, achieving long-term relief from the frustrating side effects neuropathy can cause.

If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of neuropathy, don't wait to seek help. Schedule a comprehensive diagnostic visit with Dr. Ravitz at Modern Migraine MD. We offer both in-person or virtual appointments.