What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy (or peripheral neuropathy) is a common condition that affects your peripheral nerves — nerves outside your central nervous system (your brain and your spine). Research suggests as many as 8% of people suffer from neuropathy symptoms, like tingling and burning sensations.

Although it’s a common problem, many people don’t know what neuropathy is or what symptoms to look for, resulting in treatment delays and unnecessary discomfort. In this post, Andrew McCall, DPM, FACFAS, offers an overview of neuropathy to help patients at Alpine Foot and Ankle seek treatment as soon as possible.

Neuropathy basics

Peripheral nerves “work” by gathering information and communicating that information between your brain and other parts of your body. They do this by carrying chemical messengers along nerve pathways. 

Nerve communication plays an essential role in the way your body functions. A breakdown anywhere in this process can lead to an array of unpleasant symptoms and, eventually, serious health problems.

If you have neuropathy, it means that one or more nerves or pathways are damaged, causing:

• Interruption in the nerve pathways
• Problems with the ways nerves react to stimuli
• Distortions in the way nerve signals are received or interpreted

As a result, your nerves, muscles, organs, and other parts of your body don’t receive the information they need to function correctly.

Neuropathy can happen for many reasons, including physical injury, nerve or neuromuscular diseases, systemic diseases like diabetes, and even as a “side effect” of certain medications. Dr. McCall is skilled in determining the cause of neuropathy symptoms, so he can recommend the best treatment.

Different nerves, different symptoms

Peripheral neuropathy affects three different types of nerves. Each type can cause different symptoms.

Sensory nerves

Sensory nerves provide you with information about your environment, helping you “feel” sensory inputs like temperature and touch. Neuropathy that affects your sensory nerves can produce symptoms like tingling, numbness, or loss of sensation. You may have electricity-like shocks of pain or extreme sensitivity to touch and contact.

Motor nerves

Your motor nerves work in conjunction with muscles to help you move. Walking, standing, buttoning a shirt, brushing your teeth, driving, and a myriad of other activities can be affected by a problem with these nerves. When neuropathy affects your motor nerves, you can have symptoms like muscle weakness, cramps, or problems with balance and coordination.

Autonomic nerves

Autonomic nerves work “behind the scenes” to control functions like your heart rate, respiration, perspiration, and digestion. Neuropathy affecting these nerves can cause dizziness, palpitations, nausea, swallowing or breathing difficulties, or changes in bowel or urination habits.

Finding relief for painful neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy often affects the feet and lower limbs, especially in people with diabetes and vascular problems. Dr. McCall performs a series of evaluations, like blood tests and nerve conduction tests, to understand the cause of your neuropathy symptoms. 

After a physical exam and a review of your symptoms and your medical history, he prescribes personalized therapies to help relieve your painful symptoms and restore normal function.

As with other chronic problems, prompt treatment is essential for preventing serious complications, like permanent nerve damage and disability. To find out what’s causing your nerve-related symptoms, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. McCall and our team at Alpine Foot and Ankle in Idaho Falls, Idaho.