Why You Shouldn’t Wait to See a Doctor if you are Experiencing Neuropathy Symptoms

While there are many people who seek medical advice or treatment as soon as they suspect that something is wrong, there are also many others who find themselves putting off calling the doctor for as long as possible. For some reason, there are some who just do not feel the urgency to seek help until they are sure for themselves that things are really serious. This “wait and see” approach might be okay in some situations, but with certain issues, it can easily end up making things worse. Such is the case with peripheral neuropathy symptoms. People who suffer from PN symptoms will experience sudden sensations of tingling or numbness in their feet, legs and hands. The symptoms usually appear gradually and build up over time. This makes them easy to ignore. Peripheral neuropathy is an issue that involves the nervous system and brain. Once symptoms appear, they can only get worse unless they are treated right away. The longer you wait to seek help, the more intense the problem will become. The bottom line is this – peripheral neuropathy cannot be cured, it can only be managed. This is why seeking help early is so important. Nerve Issues There are many different causes of peripheral neuropathy that range from chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients to diabetes, which is the most common cause. Each of these causes leads to the slowing of blood flow to nerve endings in the arms, hands, legs and feet. When these nerve endings do not receive the right amount of oxygen, they begin to shut down and retract. It is this retraction that leads to the tingling and burning sensations patients often feel. Again, there is no cure for this condition, but there are things specialists can do to prevent it from getting worse. The more time that goes by before treatment starts will only contribute to the problem and make the symptoms more difficult to manage. Treatment Plan There are actually several options when it comes to treating peripheral neuropathy that range from medication to physical therapy. Arrowhead Health Centers uses a combination of treatments that include nerve therapy, functional strength training, short-term medication and a take-home electronic device. Most of these treatments can actually be more effective when peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed early on in a patient. Other forms of treatment might include electronic stimulations, water therapy, balance training and stationary bike exercises. The goal is to stimulate proper blood flow to help get more oxygen to the nerve endings that have reduced in size, thereby reducing the tingling sensations and numbness. We approach each patient differently in an attempt to customize the recovery game plan in a way that makes the most sense for that patient. Our patients work with a team of specialists who bring their expertise and knowledge to ensure the best possible results. Learn more about the treatments we offer and set up a free initial consultation today by calling 623-334-400 option 9.