Nerve damage is often associated with pain, tingling, and numbness, but peripheral neuropathy leads to many different symptoms, like weak muscles, numbness and from weak tingling in hands and feet, difficulty maintaining balance, and falls. Sudhir Aggarwal, MD, PhD, at Lower Merion Neurology PC, specializes in comprehensive evaluations, compassionate care, and advanced medical solutions for patients with peripheral neuropathy. To receive personalized treatment, book an appointment online or call the office located in Paoli, Pennsylvania, and serving the larger Main Line area.
Neuropathy refers to any nerve that doesn’t work properly, whether due to injury or disease. Peripheral neuropathy more specifically refers to the nerves lying outside your brain and spinal cord, which includes three types of nerves:
Peripheral neuropathy can affect one or more nerve types at the same time.
Nerve damage and numerous medical conditions can lead to peripheral neuropathy. The most common cause, however, is diabetes, which accounts for about 30% of all peripheral neuropathies.
These are a few examples of other medical conditions that may cause peripheral neuropathy:
You may also develop peripheral neuropathy from certain medications and genetic disorders.
The symptoms you develop depend on the type of nerve affected. Motor nerve neuropathy causes symptoms such as cramps, muscle weakness, and muscle wasting.
If your sensory nerves are affected, you’ll experience symptoms such as pain, tingling, and numbness. You may also become hypersensitive and start to feel pain from soft, gentle stimuli like the touch of clothing.
The symptoms of autonomic nerve damage are determined by the body system served by the nerve. You could experience problems such as an irregular heartbeat, dizziness, excessive sweating, or trouble with digestion.
Identifying and treating the underlying health condition may improve your neuropathy as nerves heal and regenerate. Dr. Aggarwal may also prescribe medication to relieve neuropathic pain.
When your pain persists despite conservative treatments, Dr. Aggarwal may recommend an interventional treatment such as an injection of anesthetics and steroids. The anesthetic quickly relieves pain by blocking nerve signals, while steroids reduce inflammation.
If you develop symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy, call the compassionate team at Lower Merion Neurology or schedule an appointment online.