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7 Risk Factors for Peripheral Neuropathy and How to Manage Them

Your nerves enable you to conduct a lot of movement and help you feel and sense your surroundings. If affected, you might lose your ability to walk or fall due to poor muscle coordination. If other nerves, other than in your spine or brain, are damaged, you should contact Dr. Carlos Vazquez Fort Worth, an experienced neuropathy and pain specialist, for treatment.  

  1. Diabetes

If you have uncontrolled blood sugar levels, you might develop diabetes, leading to nerve damage. You might experience symptoms like reduced ability to feel temperature changes and pain and loss of sensation in your limbs. The symptoms can begin in your legs and feet and move toward your arms and hands.

  1. Certain vitamin deficiencies

Vitamin deficiencies can lead to chronic diseases and present disabling symptoms like low energy levels, which might affect your ability to walk due to weakness. Vitamin B12 creates a sheath that protects your nerves. If you are deficient in it, your nerves are left unprotected and susceptible to damage.

  1. Autoimmune diseases

When your immune system starts to attack normal healthy cells, you might suffer from an autoimmune disease. An example is a rheumatoid arthritis which leads to inflammation, especially in your joints. The condition can lead to limited and painful movement.

  1. Excessive alcohol use

You can damage your nerves over time if you love to drink alcohol without limitation. Chronic alcoholism can affect your movement and sensory nerves and might lead to injuries due to frequent falls, especially of the head.

  1. Infections

Infections that affect your body organs, leading them not to function as required, can lead to nerve damage. For example, a disease like hepatitis, which is inflammation of the liver, can affect the absorption of nutrients and potentially lead to infections.

  1. Kidney disorders

If you have chronic kidney disease and undergo dialysis, you might experience symptoms such as loss of sensation, weakness, and pain. If your kidney function is not optimal, your feet and ankles might swell. It is important to understand that kidney failure can stem from other conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

  1. Toxin exposure

Common toxins like mercury and lead can affect your nerves. Depending on the toxin, you might experience symptoms, whether it’s after short or long-term exposure.

Treatment options

Your specialist might recommend treatment methods that make your life easier without needing medication.

Massage therapy

Massage therapy stimulates deep tissue promoting blood flow. If you lead a semi-sedentary life, you might find that you don’t use certain types of muscles, making them weak. Massage therapy can help you identify these areas and help you regain a sense of movement.

Nutritional counseling

Your specialist will evaluate your vitamin levels, especially the vitamin B family that supports the proper functioning of nerves. A nutrition plan full of fruits and vegetables can benefit your body, especially your immune system.

If you have any health conditions mentioned above, visit Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas for treatment. You will meet qualified specialists ready to evaluate your situation and offer you the most suitable treatment. Call or book an appointment online today.