Understanding Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a general term for nerve damage that causes weakness, numbness, and pain, often in the hands and feet. It can affect any part of the body, but it most commonly affects the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves that extend from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
Neuropathy can significantly impact your daily activities and quality of life. Here at Greater Atlanta Pain & Spine, we understand the challenges of living with neuropathy, and with proper treatment, patients can significantly improve their symptoms.
Stages of Neuropathy
- Stage 1: Mild symptoms like tingling or numbness might occur occasionally.
- Stage 2: Symptoms become more frequent and intense, potentially including burning pain.
- Stage 3: Weakness and difficulty with coordination may develop.
- Stage 4: Severe pain, muscle wasting, and even paralysis can occur in advanced stages.
Symptoms of Neuropathy
- Numbness, tingling, or prickling sensation in the hands and feet
- Burning pain
- Sharp, stabbing pain
- Increased sensitivity to touch or temperature
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of coordination
- Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
Causes of Neuropathy
- Diabetes
- Autoimmune diseases
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Infections (like shingles)
- Toxins (including alcohol and certain medications)
- Trauma or compression injuries
- Shingles
Neuropathy Treatments in Duluth, GA
At Greater Atlanta Pain & Spine, we offer a variety of neuropathy treatment options tailored to your specific needs. These may include:
- Medications: Medications can help manage pain, inflammation, and other symptoms associated with neuropathy.
- Physical therapy: Specific exercises can improve flexibility, strength, and balance, and help manage pain.
- Nerve Block: This minimally invasive procedure can help identify the source of pain or provide relief for neuropathy.
- Lumbar Sympathetic Block: This is specifically targeted towards pain associated with neuropathy, particularly Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
Additional Neuropathy Treatment Options
In addition to the above treatments, we also offer the following options tailored to address peripheral neuropathy:
- Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS): This treatment uses mild electrical pulses delivered to the spinal cord to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. SCS can be effective for pain in a broader area of the body.
- Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation (DRG): DRG stimulation targets the specific nerves associated with your pain by placing electrodes near the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in your spine. This offers a more focused approach than SCS and may be suitable for pain in a single extremity.
Choose Greater Atlanta Pain and Spine for
Neuropathy Treatment in Duluth, GA
We understand the challenges of living with neuropathy. Here’s why you should choose Greater Atlanta Pain & Spine:
- Board-certified and experienced pain management physicians specializing in neuropathy treatment.
- Personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs.
- Minimally invasive procedures for faster recovery times.
- A caring and supportive team focused on improving your quality of life.
FAQs
Yes, age is a risk factor for neuropathy, especially diabetic neuropathy.
Untreated neuropathy can worsen over time, leading to complications like muscle weakness, infections, and even foot ulcers.
Several factors can increase your risk of neuropathy, including diabetes, autoimmune diseases, vitamin deficiencies, and certain medications.
Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, review of your medical history, and potentially, nerve conduction studies or electromyography (EMG).