We have heard it again and again: “you are what you eat.” You may think this simple statement ridiculous, but the fact remains that our bodies need good food (or fuel) to work properly.
Feed it the wrong stuff and your health will suffer.
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Lifestyle
When your doctor first mentions the words Peripheral Neuropathy, you may mistakenly believe that he or she is diagnosing you with a single disorder or disease.
This is not the case. Neuropathy, often called peripheral neuropathy, indicates a problem within the peripheral nervous system which is the network of nerves outside your brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral Neuropathy is not a single disorder but rather the result of many diseases that affect the nervous system.
When your doctor refers to Peripheral Neuropathy, he is simply naming the resulting pain and problems that some other medical condition has caused.
Peripheral Neuropathy is the pain you feel because of damage to the peripheral nervous system.
That’s one of the reasons why it is so difficult to diagnose and treat – because it is the consequence of another problem. Unless (and until) you diagnose and treat what is causing the Neuropathy, you are not going to be able to break free from its painful grip
We all know that stress is never good for the body. Chronic stress can cause all sorts of medical issues, including peripheral Neuropathy.
But do you have any idea why stress causes your nerves to go haywire and chronic pain to develop?
When the body is stressed, it reacts. This reaction is completely normal. After all, stress is a natural way to alert the body of trouble. Suddenly you become more aware of every sight, sound, and smell around you.
Your body tenses and your heart beat and blood pressure rise. You may become flushed as adrenaline courses through your veins. You are on alert.
While this is a good way to keep yourself out of danger, when the normal stressors of life keep you in a constant state of alert, your entire body feels it.
A metabolic disorder that renders the body unable to metabolize glucose levels in the blood properly, diabetes can result in multiple complications including liver damage, kidney problems, an inability to heal from wounds, as well as nerve damage.
When diabetes affects the peripheral nervous system, ongoing Neuropathy may result.
Considering the fact that nearly three quarters (about 70%) of all diabetic patients suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy, there is no doubt that the two conditions are closely intertwined.
Researchers believe that high levels of glucose in the bloodstream attack nerve fibers, a process that interrupts messages between the brain and the nervous system.
This disruption can cause all sorts of problems throughout the body.
When it comes to diagnosing peripheral Neuropathy, you can expect a lot of different kinds of tests to be ordered and performed by your medical team.
The very first test your doctor will begin with is a complete set of blood work.
This way he can look for all kinds of problems including vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, abnormal immune function, poor thyroid function, infections, and other medical conditions.
Your blood can also be used to detect antibodies that can attack peripheral nerve fibers.
As is the case with any chronic condition, peripheral Neuropathy can cause some complications for its sufferers and their health.
While every case is different, patients must be aware of the possible complications associated with the condition to ward off any serious or life-threatening effects.
Here are some of the more common side effects and/or complications experienced by Neuropathy patients:
While any toxic substance poses a threat to nerve function, those exposed to neurotoxins are in even more danger of nerve damage and Neuropathy.
Neurotoxins are substances that interfere specifically with electrical activities in the nerves (either by overstimulating them or interfering with communication between nerves and the brain).
Studies show that neurotoxins actually shorten the lifespan of nerves, which can also cause all sorts of problems, including neuropathy.
We encounter some of the most dangerous neurotoxins every day through the foods we eat. Here are ten of the biggest culprits to avoid when fighting peripheral Neuropathy:
Lifestyle, Neuropathy, Tips and Suggestions
How long does it take for diabetes to damage your nerves?
Peripheral neuropathy results in loss of sensation and pain in the feet or in the hands, and is caused by damage to the nerves.
It is quite common in people who have type 1 and type 2 diabetes and having this disease increases a person’s chances of developing ulcers on the feet as well as on the lower legs.
These non-healing types of ulcers may even lead to lower limb amputation…
Lifestyle, Neuropathy, Tips and Suggestions
Is walking good for neuropathy and can it have any benefit?
We are all very much aware of the benefits of exercise on our overall health, mind and spirit. Doctors usually recommend a healthy person to engage in any type of workout for at least 20 minutes, 3-4 times a week to achieve optimal health.
Some people suffering with peripheral neuropathy often experience burning sensation and shooting pain in their legs and feet, and doing any type of workout, even brisk walking, seems to worsen their symptoms.
But maybe they aren’t doing it right…