Most f. a. q. ‘s on peripheral neuropathy pertain to the symptoms, which are dependent on the type of nerve hit; either just one type or a combination of types. Some common signs of peripheral neuropathy wherein the motor nerve fibers are affected include weak muscle control, loss of sensation and muscle tone, up to the more serious ones like difficulty in moving, breathing and swallowing, lack of dexterity, blurred vision, dizziness, urinary incontinence and even impotence in males. When sensory motors are affected, the signs present are numbness and tingling sensations, burning sensations, loss of vibration sense, loss of position sense, loss of coordination sense, and muscle weakness. Symptoms pertaining to damage to autonomic nerves are centered on the autonomic functions of blood pressure regulation, digestion, urination, and body temperature regulation.

If these symptoms are not heeded, further complications may take place. As seen in diabetics, damage to the nerves of the feet can lead to ulcers and ultimately gangrene if the diabetic neuropathy is left untreated and neglected. It may also spread to other major organ systems and affect their function. For example, if the nerves affecting the digestive system are damaged, the stomach may sluggishly move food to the intestines causing constant nausea, vomiting and bloating, constipation or diarrhea. Urinary problems may also crop up aside from low blood pressure, impotence, depression, weight loss and partial or complete paralysis.

There are several ways to treat peripheral neuropathy. First is to identify the cause of the nerve damage and to consequently manage it by providing replenishment to the deficiencies, like giving vitamin B12 if the cause is a lack of it; lowering blood glucose levels and maintaining it if the cause is diabetes; vitamin supplements and daily injections to last your lifetime for neuropathies caused by pernicious anemia; treating the immune response in autoimmune disorders; avoiding further exposure and halting any medication that causes damage to the nerves; eliminating the external pressure on the nerve that is causing its destruction by using ergonomic chairs or machines to ease the tension in the problem area, hands or back, changing the way of holding instruments or tools, and even corrective surgery.

After the identification of the primary cause of the neuropathy and ways on how to cure it, the next step is to help alleviate the debilitating symptoms. For mild to moderate pain, medications are prescribed such as over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Drugs used for seizure attacks can also be prescribed for jabbing pain. Examples of this are gabapentin, carbamazepine, and phenytoin. For non-ingestion of drugs, a lidocaine patch is suggested as well as other topical anesthetics like capsaicin. Tricyclic antidepressants are noted to ease mild to moderate symptoms since they interfere with the chemical processes in the brain that allow you to feel pain. Some examples are nortriptyline, desipramine, and imipramine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as paroxetine and fluoxetine hydrochloride, commonly known as Prozac, may also help diminish the pain caused by peripheral neuropathy.

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