Learn About Peripheral Neuropathy with Dr. Richard Hamer, MD
Peripheral neuropathy can result from a number of diseases, injuries, infections — but more commonly, from diabetes mellitus. Neurologist Dr. Richard Hamer, MD recommends patients to seek medical care as soon as you notice unusual weakness, tingling or pain in your hands and feet. The earlier the patients are treated for this diagnosis, the better their chances are to control symptoms and prevent further damage to your peripheral nerves.
Your peripheral nervous system is crucial to your sensory and everyday bodily functions as it sends information from your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. Damage to your peripheral nerves depending on the type of nerve being affected can cause a lot of complications. Individuals diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy generally describe the pain as being a stabbing, burning or tingling feeling.
Dr. Richard Hamer, MD has both diagnosed and treated patients with peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Hamer stresses that though many cases are treatable depending on its condition, it’s good for patients to be aware of its cause and take further preventative measures, along with lifestyle changes.
Damage to these nerves can occur from one of the three circumstances:
Acquired neuropathies caused by environmental factor such as toxins, trauma, illness or infection. Some of which can include diabetes, alcoholism, nutrition and vitamin deficiency, cancer, chemotherapy, kidney, thyroid disease, or your body’s overaggressive response to an attacked immune system.
Hereditary neuropathies damages nerves genetically passed down from one generation to the next. This is caused by the deterioration of insulation normally surrounding the nerve to conduct electrical impulses that trigger muscle mobility.
Idiopathic neuropathies are from unknown causes.
Affected nerves can cause an array of symptoms including numbness, a spread of prickling and tingling feelings, sharp jabbing throbbing, extreme sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness, digestive issues, heat intolerance, changes in blood pressure and other debilitating effects. As a result, individuals can be prone to burns and skin trauma, infection and falls.
Dr. Hamer encourages patients to keep nerves healthy by maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits, whole grains and lean protein. Exercising regularly and keeping away from alcohol and chemical toxins is also recommended. To find out what steps need to be taken to treat peripheral neuropathy, consult with a neurology specialist like Dr. Hamer.
