Some people experience tingling and numbness after sitting in an uncomfortable position. This is completely normal. If it happens more often, however, you may have a condition known as neuropathy. Over time, your symptoms can get worse, interfering with your daily function. Find out how professional neuropathy treatment in Canton can help you reduce your symptoms and prevent additional nerve damage.
Key Takeaways
- Persistent numbness and tingling aren’t normal.
- Neuropathy often starts in the hands and feet.
- Early treatment can prevent neuropathy from getting worse.
- Georgia Medical Treatment Center offers non-surgical neuropathy treatment in Georgia.
What Tingling and Numbness Really Mean
Your peripheral nervous system sends signals from your brain to other parts of your body. This controls everything from movement to your sense of touch. When your nerves are damaged or irritated, signals from the brain can become blocked or distorted, causing numbness and tingling. Some people also experience a pins-and-needles sensation.
Common Causes of Neuropathy
Neuropathy develops for many reasons, but these are some of the most common causes:
- Diabetes. When diabetes isn’t well-controlled, glucose builds up in your bloodstream. Over time, excess glucose damages the nerves, which may lead to neuropathy.
- Vitamin deficiencies. If you’re deficient in certain vitamins, you may develop neuropathy at some point. For example, vitamin B-12 plays an essential role in preserving the myelin sheath, which is the protective covering around your nerve fibers. A deficiency in B-12 can lead to nerve degeneration, resulting in numbness and tingling.
- Autoimmune disorders. In people with autoimmune disorders, the immune system can’t distinguish between normal tissue and harmful substances. This causes it to attack healthy tissues throughout the body. If your immune system attacks your nervous system, you can develop neuropathy in multiple nerves.
- Medications and toxins. Lithium, phenytoin, chemotherapy drugs, amiodarone, colchicine and more can cause toxic neuropathy. You may also develop neuropathy if you’re exposed to pesticides, heavy metals or industrial solvents.
Why Neuropathy Often Starts in the Feet and Hands
The nerves in the feet and hands are the longest ones in the body. Inflammation, reduced blood flow and other risk factors can damage these nerves before it damages the shorter nerves found elsewhere. Eventually, your symptoms may move to other areas of your body.
Why Neuropathy Symptoms Don’t Resolve on Their Own
Neuropathy symptoms don’t go away on their own because you have to address the underlying cause. If you have numbness and tingling due to a vitamin deficiency, it won’t resolve unless you take supplements or adjust your diet. Toxic neuropathy won’t improve if you continue taking the same medications. A neuropathy doctor in Canton can help you address other causes of neuropathy symptoms.
How Neuropathy Is Diagnosed
Neuropathy is diagnosed with a physical exam to assess your strength, reflexes and circulation. A clinician will ask focused questions about your symptoms, medical history and lifestyle. You may also benefit from a nerve conduction study to determine how fast electrical signals travel through your nerves.
Non-Surgical Neuropathy Treatment Options
Georgia Medical Treatment Center offers several types of non-surgical neuropathy treatment options:
- Nerve block injections. Nerve block injections use a numbing agent to block the transmission of distorted nerve signals.
- Rebuilder therapy. Rebuilder therapy delivers corrective pulses to the nerves, retraining them to function normally. It’s typically delivered with a conductive glove/sock or a foot bath.
- Electrical anesthesia. Electrical anesthesia desensitizes irritated or damaged nerves. It can be used alone or with nerve block injections.
- Physical therapy. Physical therapy doesn’t address damaged nerves directly. However, it’s helpful for strengthening areas of the body that have weakened or lost function due to neuropathy.
Benefits of Early Neuropathy Treatment
It’s important to get neuropathy treatment as early as you can, as effective treatments can prevent your symptoms from getting worse. Depending on the cause of your neuropathy, we may even be able to reverse the condition, relieving numbness and tingling. You may even regain your strength, sleep better and get more enjoyment out of life.
When to Seek Neuropathy Care in Canton
Seek neuropathy treatment in Canton if your symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, or if neuropathy is interfering with your ability to walk, sleep or maintain your balance. Georgia Medical Treatment Center provides comprehensive, patient-centered care to help you live your best life. Schedule a personalized evaluation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is neuropathy a normal part of getting older?
No, neuropathy isn’t a normal part of getting older. It indicates that you have a problem with your nerves. Early treatment may prevent your symptoms from getting worse.
Can neuropathy be reversed?
Neuropathy can be reversed when it’s caused by something like vitamin deficiencies or medication use. It can’t be reversed if you have permanent nerve damage. However, non-surgical treatment can prevent your neuropathy from getting worse, so it’s still helpful to see a neuropathy doctor in Canton.
