How to Treat Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms

Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the hands and feet characterized by tingling, numbness, weakness or burning pain in the extremities. It is a secondary disorder, meaning its symptoms arise from other, underlying medical conditions that include, but are not limited to, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases and alcoholism. Peripheral neuropathy can be difficult to treat, with remedies dependent, in part, on the underlying cause.

Disease Management

• Treating the underlying disease brings at least a measure of relief to peripheral neuropathy, or it may completely reverse the disorder. When the disorder is related to diabetes, careful monitoring of blood sugar curbs symptoms and slows progression. If you're diabetic, you should take special care of your feet, avoiding tight shoes and socks and check daily for blisters, cuts or callouses and sores that will not heal. Similarly, nerve damage caused by alcoholism can be alleviated by the cessation of drinking. Injections of Vitamin B6 can quickly clear neuropathy related to insufficiencies caused by chemotherapy, while B12 helps clear general vitamin-related neuropathy.

Medications

• For mild pain, physicians recommend over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. You can treat more severe pain with prescription painkillers or other medications such as anti-depressants and anti-convulsants. For life-threatening cases involving Guillain-Barre Syndrome, steroids, such as prednisone, or intravenous immunoglobulins may be administered. In addition to oral medications, topical treatments containing capsaicin or a lidocaine patch can provide temporary relief to affected areas.

Lifestyle and Diet

• Changing your daily habits and improving what you eat can also ease peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Maintain a healthy weight, exercise and eat a balanced diet with low-fat meats and dairy products, along with fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Drink alcohol in moderation. Quit smoking as smoking reduces circulation to your hands and feet. Massage can also increase circulation in extremities, as well as stimulate nerves. Avoid prolonged pressure on your knees and elbows for long periods to prevent additional nerve damage.

Therapies

• Traditional and alternative therapies can also be effective in treating peripheral neuropathy. Physical therapy, such as exercises to stretch muscles and increase flexibility, relieves tightness while orthotics can help with deformities, muscle weakness and balance. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation and biofeedback can help you to learn how to control pain triggers. Taking warm baths is another home remedy. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, a therapy where electrodes placed on the skin that delivers a gentle electrical current, also alleviates pain. For more severe cases, surgery can relieve pressure on nerves. Acupuncture is a popular alternative therapy that loosens the flow of Qi (energy) and blood in the affected areas.