Signs of Early Neuropathy

Neuropathy refers to nerve injuries in your peripheral nervous system that can cause pain, discomfort, and reduced sensation.

Normally, your nerves send pain signals to your brain to warn you about illness and injury in your body. With neuropathy, nerves themselves are damaged, sending out pain signals at random.

Here at Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian, Idaho, we have years of experience treating different types of neuropathy and know how painful and stressful this condition can be.

An underlying health condition can increase your risk of developing neuropathy. That’s why it’s important to know the early warning signs for neuropathy. 

Risk factors

Diabetes is the most common risk factor for peripheral neuropathy. Diabetics have trouble managing their blood sugar levels, which can lead to inflammation that can deprive nerves of oxygen and nutrients. This can lead to nerve degradation and neuropathy.

Around half of all people with diabetes eventually develop some form of neuropathy. 

However, neuropathy can result from an accident, illness, or other physical trauma that can damage nerves. Some autoimmune diseases are associated with neuropathy, including:

• Celiac disease 
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 
• Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy 
• Guillain-Barré syndrome 
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis 

Alcohol abuse and smoking also can damage circulation to the feet and extremities, leading to nerve damage over time. If a cause can’t be determined, it’s known as idiopathic neuropathy.

Early signs of neuropathy 

Neuropathy doesn’t progress the same way for all people; the symptoms depend on where and how the nerves are affected. Often, the early warning signs of neuropathy are mild and episodic, with periods of discomfort interspersed with periods of normality. 

However, it’s important to speak to a doctor if you notice any warning signs, especially if you have any of the risk factors listed above. Common warning signs include:

• Touch and hot/cold hypersensitivity 
• Sensation of wearing a tight glove or sock
• Restless leg syndrome
• Itchy or burning skin 
• Pins-and-needles sensation
• Tingling 
• Numbness
• Sexual dysfunction 

For diabetics, neuropathy symptoms often occur in the feet, so it’s important to keep an eye out for:

• Toe discomfort
• Constant burning sensations
• Muscle fatigue
• Trouble walking
• Lack of sensation
• Pain that increases with exercise or at night 

If left untreated, your neuropathy can become more painful and dangerous. Don’t ignore the warning signs.

Late-stage neuropathy 

As neuropathy progresses, your discomfort may become so frequent and severe that it requires strong pain medication just to cope. Late-stage neuropathy eventually may lead to a full loss of sensation.

Loss of sensation can increase your risk for severe complications, including falls, fractures, infections, and illnesses. It can also affect your ability to move the affected parts of your body, thus reducing your overall mobility. 

That’s why it’s so important to keep an eye out for the warning signs of early neuropathy and get treatment as soon as possible. Although neuropathy can’t be reversed, we can help you manage your symptoms and prevent further loss of sensation. 

Here at Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine, Dr. Jamie Ricks recommends laser therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and regenerative medicine to combat the progression of neuropathy.

If you’re concerned you might be experiencing early signs of neuropathy, call us at 208-225-4358 or make an appointment online to prevent any further nerve damage.