How to Help Nerve Damage

Nerve damage can have a number of different causes. Injury, arthritis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and undergoing chemotherapy or drug regimens for cancer treatment all have the possibility of leading to nerve damage. As of 2009, over twenty million Americans are affected by nerve damage. Damage to the nerves is a painful and, as of yet, medically irreversible problem. The fact that nerve damage can't be cured doesn't mean that the pain and damage cannot be lessened.

Instructions

• 1

  Prevent damage. While those people undergoing chemotherapy cannot prevent nerve damage that occurs as a result of treatment, Diabetics, who represent the majority of nerve damage sufferers in the country, can prevent a lot of damage by keeping their blood-sugar levels within appropriate range.

• 2

  Ask your doctor about Cymbalta for treatment of neuropathic pain. It is approved as a treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. While Cymbalta hasn't been approved for other types of nerve damage, it is a relatively safe drug and your doctor may be willing to prescribe it.

• 3

  Try statins. Statins include drugs such as Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor. These cholesterol-lowering drugs have been shown to help prevent peripheral neuropathy in diabetics.

• 4

  Learn about fibrates. Fibrates are another class of cholesterol-fighting drugs that have been effective in lowering blood fats in people with diabetes and in turn preventing nerve damage.

• 5

  Think about physical or occupational therapy. It is possible that nerve damage will cause you to lose balance, coordination and some physical abilities. Physical therapy and occupational therapy can help minimize the effects of damage and help provide greater muscle strength and stability.