As said on the previous page: it’s very important to know and recognize the (early) symptoms. This allows you to act quickly, by contacting your healthcare provider. After a thorough examination, he or she can then set up a treatment plan focused on pain-free living and repairing the nerve damage. If you wait too long, the damage to the nerves can be permanent, and treating the pain can be difficult, which means you have to live in (constant) pain.
Symptoms of Neuropathy
The most common symptom is sensations of numbness, tingling – like pins & needles, – and weakness in the affected area of your body. Usually, neuropathy begins in the most distant nerves, so think of the nerves in the fingertips and toes. After this, it spreads closer and closer to the heart. Side note: there are over 100 types of neuropathy, so this can be different for you. So make sure you know the following symptoms:
- Numbness
- High or low blood sugar levels
- Stabbing (local) pain
- Bladder problems
- Vertigo
- Infections in the feet and legs
- Unnatural stride
- Erectile dysfunction
- Weak muscles
- Bell’s Palsy
- Muscle twitching
- Unintentional weight loss
- Changes in sensation
- Unable to move parts of your body
- Sweating too much or not at all
The Pain You May Experience with Neuropathy Differs for Everyone.
In some people, it feels like a knife tick, while others experience burning or throbbing pain. Some people don’t feel pain at all, they just experience numbness or have no feeling at all in the affected areas. Therefore, it is safe to say that everyone’s case is different. One person has had it for years but has little or no pain, while another can hardly walk because of the pain after a few months. Yet, it is important to know how the nerve disease manifests itself in the worst-case scenario. Once symptoms reach their worst, your pain can be so prevalent that you can’t sleep, work, drive, or enjoy any of your favorite hobbies/activities. You will always live in pain and/or discomfort unless you treat it. Continue reading on the next page and find out what kind of treatment options there are and if neuropathy really can be restored.
