3 Reasons Not to Ignore Nerve Pain

For some reason, there seems to be a general shared opinion that the first thing you should do when you feel pain is to just ignore it. Many people grew up being told to “just walk it off” after an injury or to “wait and see” when it comes to feeling pain anywhere in our bodies. As a child, this advice may have prevented unneeded trips to the doctor, but as an adult, it is no longer advisable to ignore pain. In fact, there are some pains that should be addressed just as soon as possible. This is especially true of nerve pain, like the pain felt by those with diabetes. Diabetes is a complicated condition, and some people have the tendency to believe that because they brought the pain on themselves, they should just grin and bear it. This is simply not true. While there is nothing doctors can do to undo the nerve damage you may have already experienced, there are things they can do to help manage the pain. It is very important that we do not ignore painful symptoms, hoping that they will disappear. Diabetic nerve pain such as peripheral neuropathy needs to be addressed and treated so you can live the best possible life. Here are 3 important reasons why you should not ignore nerve pain: 1. It Can Change Your Life – For the Worse! Nerve pain can be debilitating and depressing. It can keep you from doing things in life that you love the most and that bring you the most happiness. We also have a natural way of building up a tolerance for pain, meaning that we grow accustomed to the pain without trying to do anything about it. You may develop difficulty walking or participating in social activities. This can lead to depression and a feeling of isolation. 2. It Can Cause Further Damage Simply ignoring nerve pain will not make the problem go away. In fact, you may just be making the situation worse by causing further damage. As was stated earlier, there is no way to undo the nerve damage that has already occurred, but by addressing the symptoms instead of ignoring them, you can help to stop further damage. Call Arrowhead Health Centers and speak with one of our experts about the nerve pain you are experiencing. 3. It Can Lead to Other Health Problems When nerve pain is ignored, it throws your entire body off. The system our body used to signal and acknowledge pain begins to break down, which can lead to other health problems. You may begin to feel more fatigued and experience weakening of your muscles. The less active you become, the easier it is for you to gain weight. Weight gain has shown to cause all sorts of medical and health issues. Listen to your body. If you are experiencing chronic nerve pain, do not ignore it. Seek help from a doctor or therapist who can help you understand the pain and manage it. At Arrowhead Health Centers, we are ready to help you today. Call us at 623-334-4000, option 9 to talk to an expert or set up a free consultation regarding our peripheral neuropathy treatment program.