Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment in New York

Your peripheral nervous system may show early signs of weakening, such as numbness or pain in your hands or feet. Although peripheral neuropathy is characterized by this symptom, it is associated with different causes and conditions that manifest in different ways.

At New York Pain Medicine Associates, you will find a pain specialist who approaches your symptoms in a comprehensive, non-invasive way, providing you with the diagnosis and treatment that your nervous system needs to get back on track. Keep reading to learn how this condition manifests in your body and how we treat it.

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that is caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system, which acts as the network that sends signals from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to the rest of your body. Your peripheral nerves are responsible for three main functions:

Carrying sensory information to the brain.
Sending motor signals from the brain to the muscles to control movement.
Managing autonomic functions like heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure.

When the nerves are damaged, these functions are interrupted, leading to a wide range of symptoms that are common in other conditions such as diabetes, Lyme disease, lupus or genetic conditions.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Your symptoms may depend on what kind of nerves are being affected, whether they are sensory, motor or autonomic. Below are the most common signs of peripheral neuropathy:

Carrying sensory information to the brain.
Sending motor signals from the brain to the muscles to control movement.
Managing autonomic functions like heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure.

When the nerves are damaged, these functions are interrupted, leading to a wide range of symptoms that are common in other conditions such as diabetes, Lyme disease, lupus or genetic conditions.

Sensory Symptoms

Your sensory nerves control how you perceive pain, temperature or light touch. When they’re damaged, it often manifests as these symptoms:

Numbness and a decreased ability to sense vibrations, light touch or temperature.
Tingling sensations in the feet or hands.
Neuropathic pain, which feels like an electrifying, burning or aching sensation.

Motor Symptoms

Motor neuropathy affects how you control the muscles and movements, with symptoms like the following:

Muscle atrophy and weakness, with difficulty performing simple activities like buttoning a shirt.
Involuntary muscle cramps and twitching.
Loss of coordination when walking or standing.

Autonomic Symptoms

The autonomic nerves control unconscious functions like breathing and your heart rate. Nerve damage manifests in these ways:

Hypotension, which causes dizziness and fainting.
Gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach’s emptying process slows down.
Bladder dysfunction, leading to incontinence or retention.
Impaired sweating in the feet and legs.

Peripheral Neuropathy Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects that your peripheral nerves are damaged, you will undergo a number of neurological tests to determine what type of nerve damage you have and the causes. Testing may include:

Blood tests.
Spinal fluid tests.
Muscle strength tests.
CT scan.
MRI scan.
Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies.
Nerve and skin biopsy.

Who Is Affected By Peripheral Neuropathy?

Risk factors for peripheral neuropathy include these conditions:

Diabetes, especially if your sugar levels are uncontrolled.
Alcohol overconsumption.
Low levels of vitamin B-12.
Infections, such as Lyme disease, shingles, hepatitis B and C, and HIV.

Find Treatment For Peripheral Neuropathy in New York

At New York Pain Medicine Associates, you can find a group of pain specialists that combine comprehensive care with extensive medical expertise to provide the best for your health. If you suspect that you have nerve damage, you can schedule an appointment and visit our offices in Bay Ridge, Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Hempstead, New York.