What Causes Neuropathy?

Millions of people suffer from neuropathy, a painful condition caused by nerve damage and dysfunction. Relieving neuropathic symptoms depends on finding a solution that’s tailored to your specific type of pain, the nerves that are affected, and other individual factors, and not surprisingly, early treatment promises the best results and the quickest path to relief.

At Modern Migraine MD, Risa Ravitz, MD, customizes neuropathy treatment to each patient, employing a holistic approach that offers optimal benefits for your symptoms and your overall wellness. Here, learn the basics of neuropathy, so you can seek the treatment you need to feel better and prevent complications.

Neuropathy 101: Why neuropathy happens

Your body relies on a complex network of nerves to feel sensations and control movements and functions, like breathing and digestion. While there are dozens of primary nerves, those nerves divide into numerous branches, similar to the way tree branches spread out into smaller and smaller branches.

Nerves can be roughly divided into two groups: the nerves in your central nervous system (your spine and your brain) and all your other nerves that branch out into other parts of your body (your peripheral nerves). Neuropathy typically refers to dysfunction affecting the peripheral nerves, including the nerves in your arms, legs, hands, and feet.

Lots of issues can cause or contribute to nerve dysfunction and neuropathy, including:

• Injury, including falls, sports accidents, and car accidents
• Surgery
• Some medications
• Infections
• Spinal problems, like arthritis or stenosis
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Exposure to toxins
• Autoimmune disorders
• Underlying diseases, like diabetes or liver disease

Neuropathy also tends to become more common with age.

Normally, nerves transmit sensations to and from the brain. When you have neuropathy, those nerves don’t work the way they’re supposed to, resulting in pain and other symptoms that can become chronic over time.

Neuropathy symptoms

Your nerves travel throughout your body, and that means you can have neuropathic symptoms anywhere, too. Symptoms can also vary depending on which nerves are affected, the severity of your nerve damage, your lifestyle and work demands, and other factors.

Because your nerves are conduit for pain signals to and from your brain, many people with neuropathy experience significant discomfort. Pain can be sharp and persistent or occur in electricity-like bursts. Some people experience dull aches as a result of nerve pain. Sciatica is a kind of neuropathy that often causes a dull, persistent aching in your lower back, buttocks, or legs.

While pain is a relatively common neuropathy symptom, you can also experience burning sensations or numbness, which may feel like “pins-and-needles” or a lack of sensation in the affected area. If you have neuropathy in your feet, you are more prone to falls and other accidents, along with hard-to-heal sores on your feet or lower legs.

Managing neuropathy

Managing neuropathy begins with figuring out which nerves are involved and, ideally, what’s causing nerve dysfunction. Dr. Ravitz is skilled in advanced diagnostic techniques that help pinpoint the nerves involved in uncomfortable sensations.

Typically, diagnosis involves applying tiny electrical currents to nerves so she can observe how the nerves react. She also performs a physical exam and frequently uses diagnostic imaging or lab tests to identify or rule out potential causes.

Once Dr. Ravitz determines the cause of your symptoms and which nerves are involved, she maps out a treatment plan designed to help you find long-term, meaningful relief. Your plan will be customized specifically for you, and may include:

• Lifestyle changes
• Medication
• Nerve blocks
• Injections
• Radiofrequency ablation

Many patients benefit from a combination of therapies that employ lifestyle changes and medical treatments, often alongside activities designed to decrease the stress and anxiety that often accompany chronic pain problems.

Find relief for your nerve symptoms

Although neuropathy symptoms may be mild at first, they can definitely worsen over time, sometimes leading to permanent nerve damage. To learn how to manage your symptoms and prevent complications, request an appointment with board-certified neurologist Risa Ravitz, MD, and the team at Modern Migraine MD in New York City, Aventura, Florida, Toms River, New Jersey, or via our telehealth services available in 13 states nationwide.