Neuropathy Treatment Options For Symptom Relief

Neuropathy is a common medical condition that is typically characterized by peripheral nerve damage. It is common in people with poorly managed or long-standing diabetes and certain neurological diseases. It can cause persistent severe pain, numbness and tingling sensations, and weakness in your extremities. Fortunately, there are a number of effective treatments that can help relieve your symptoms and enhance the quality of your life. Here are some neuropathy treatment options that you should know about. 

Medications And Neuropathy Therapies

Certain medications can effectively manage your neuropathy to decrease your pain and other symptoms. Medications commonly prescribed for neuropathy include anticonvulsant drugs, antidepressants, and in severe cases, opioid-based medications. While opioids are effective in managing severe pain, your healthcare provider may only recommend them as a short-term treatment option because they can cause significant side effects and dependence.

In addition to medication, other neuropathy treatment options may include physical therapy, therapeutic massage, managing blood sugar levels, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy, also called TENS. This therapy can help disrupt neuropathy-related pain signals to temporarily decrease your symptoms. It is important to note that before you start your neuropathy treatment, your neurologist or another healthcare provider may recommend certain diagnostic imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a CT (computed tomography) scan to help assess your brain and cranial nerve function.

Alternative Treatments And Lifestyle Changes

While prescription medications and therapeutic interventions are important components of your neuropathy treatment plan, certain lifestyle changes and alternative treatment options may also provide you with symptomatic relief from your neuropathy. These treatments may include acupuncture, acupressure, and dietary supplements such as B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D. 

While these dietary supplements may help relieve your symptoms, always talk to your healthcare provider before taking them. Getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing chronic health problems such as thyroid and autoimmune disorders can also help improve your condition.

If you develop symptoms of neuropathy, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Because neuropathy is such a complex disorder that can be caused by many different health conditions, you may need to try a few different treatments or combinations of treatments to determine which ones work best for you. Early intervention with the appropriate neuropathy treatment plan can give you significant relief from your symptoms and help restore optimal nerve function so that you can enjoy a more optimistic and brighter future.

Contact your doctor for more information about neuropathy treatment options.