Nerve Pain Treatment in North Alabama

What is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that affects the activity of your nerves and left untreated can cause permanent nerve damage. Neuropathy, commonly referred to as peripheral neuropathy, involves damage to the peripheral nerves as a result of diabetes, chemotherapy, auto-immune diseases, traumatic injury or infection. The most common symptoms are numbness and pain in the hands and feet but it can affect other parts of the body as well.

There are a variety of treatment options for patients suffering with neuropathic pain including procedural therapies (steroidal and non-steroidal injections), medications, therapy and other modalities.

If you are experiencing nerve pain, contact Tennessee Valley Pain Consultants to discuss your symptoms and the treatment options available with our pain management specialists. Our double board-certified anesthesiology & pain management physicians can help determine the nerve pain treatment which is right for you.  Please call your preferred location directly or request an appointment through our secure online form.

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Symptoms of Neuropathy

Neuropathy symptoms can present on numerous areas of the body based on the affected or damaged nerves. Most often, the symptoms include the following:

  • Numbness (either temporary or permanent)
  • Tingling sensations (often in your feet or hands)
  • Muscle weakness
  • Sensitivity to touch
  • Loss of coordination
  • Bowel, bladder, digestive issues

Causes of Neuropathy

Diabetes is the number one cause of neuropathy and more than half of those with diabetes will develop some sort of neuropathy. If there is poor management of blood sugar, the severity may increase. Other than diabetes, there are a number of other possible causes including:

  • Inherited disorders
  • Autoimmune diseases and infections such as hepatitis C, HIV, shingles, and Lyme disease
  • Tumors and bone disorders
  • Kidney or liver disease
  • Alcoholism

There are also several risk factors that may contribute to neuropathy such as exposure to toxins, repetitive motions, and family history of neuropathy as well.

This is not an exhaustive list of causes of neuropathy, so it is important to contact your doctor to discuss any symptoms you may have.

Occipital neuralgia is a condition that can lead to headaches and migraines that begin in the upper neck and extend to the back of the head. It develops when the occipital nerves, which run from the upper spine to the scalp, become irritated or inflamed. Along with persistent headaches or migraines, individuals with occipital neuralgia may also experience:

  • Burning or pulsating pain at the back of the head

  • Pain on one or both sides of the head

  • Discomfort behind the eyes

  • Sensitivity to light

  • Neck stiffness or limited range of motion

If you’re experiencing symptoms of occipital neuralgia, Tennessee Valley Pain Consultants can help you explore available treatment options.

Peripheral neuropathy affects the peripheral nervous system, which includes the nerves that extend from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. It occurs when these nerves become damaged and can no longer function properly.

Nerve damage may result from diabetes, disorders of the kidneys, liver, or thyroid, infections, traumatic injuries, alcohol use, toxin exposure, vitamin deficiencies, or other medical conditions.

Because peripheral nerves control sensation, movement, and automatic body functions, peripheral neuropathy may cause symptoms such as:

  • Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
  • Burning or painful sensations
  • Muscle weakness, cramps, or spasms
  • Coordination or balance issues
  • Sensitivity to heat or touch
  • Digestive, urinary, or cardiovascular changes

Coming soon.

How is Neuropathy Diagnosed and Treated?

If you are experiencing symptoms of neuropathy and have scheduled a visit to your doctor, they will most likely do a physical exam to determine diagnosis of the condition. They may do a full medical history check and blood test to determine further issues. Once completed, your doctor will do a series of tests to check reflexes as well as your ability to feel sensation. This may include a full neurological examination, depending on the severity of symptoms.

If you are diagnosed with neuropathy your doctor will determine the proper course of action for treatment. Treatment options may include:

  • Medications such as pain relievers, lidocaine patches, topical ointments, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications
  • Procedural therapy with injections (either steroidal or non-steroidal)
  • Physical therapy
  • TENS units
  • Acupuncture

Patients experiencing diabetic nerve pain may benefit from a Lumbar Sympathetic Block which provides soothing medication to the nerves transmitting pain signals from the affected area to the brain. Our anesthesiology & pain management physicians offer non-steroidal treatments as not to elevate a diabetic’s sugar level.

In addition, there are many lifestyle changes that you can make such as exercising, eating healthy, and quitting alcohol and smoking that may help. In addition, you may be asked to wear specialized socks for your feet and monitor your glucose levels.

Schedule Your Neuropathy Treatment in Alabama

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of neuropathy, or have any further questions, call your preferred location directly or request an appointment through our secure online form. Don’t let nerve pain keep you from doing the things you love, schedule your consultation at one of our non-surgical spine and pain management clinics in Alabama today.

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