Peripheral Neuropathy: Causes & Treatments

If you’ve experienced a tingling sensation in your hands or feet that just won't go away, you may be dealing with peripheral neuropathy, a condition where the peripheral nerves become damaged and start sending confusing signals. 

This isn't a rare problem; in fact, more than 20 million Americans live with some form of peripheral neuropathy, with symptoms that range from mild numbness to chronic nerve pain so severe that even walking across a room becomes difficult. The good news is that understanding what causes this type of nerve damage and knowing what treatment options are available can make a huge difference in managing your symptoms and getting back to the activities you love. 

Read on to learn more about peripheral neuropathy and take the first step toward finding relief with the best neurologist in Los Angeles.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy? 

Peripheral neuropathy happens when the peripheral nerves, which carry messages between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body, stop working properly. Your nervous system is like a complex phone network, with your brain and spinal cord acting as the central hub. Peripheral nerves are the lines connecting the hub to every part of your body. When these connecting lines get damaged, the messages get scrambled or don't arrive at all. 

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Most people first notice something is wrong in their hands or feet. You might feel: 

• Tingling that reminds you of when your foot falls asleep
• A burning sensation like you've touched a hot stove, even though nothing is actually hot
• Sharp, shooting pains
• Numbness that ranges from slight to the point of not being able to tell if you’re touching something soft or rough
• Muscle weakness can make it hard to grip a coffee cup or climb stairs

Categories of Peripheral Neuropathy

Doctors categorize peripheral neuropathy into different types based on which nerves are affected:

• Sensory neuropathy, which impacts your ability to feel temperature, pain, or touch
• Motor neuropathy, which causes muscle weakness, cramping, and coordination problems.
• Autonomic neuropathy, which interferes with automatic body functions like digestion, blood pressure, and heart rate

Some people experience a combination of these types, which is why symptoms can vary so much from person to person.

Risk Factors for Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the United States, often referred to as diabetic neuropathy. When blood sugar levels stay too high for too long, the excess glucose acts like sandpaper on your nerve fibers and damages the tiny blood vessels that supply oxygen to your nerves. This process happens gradually, which is why many people with diabetes don't realize they have nerve damage until symptoms become noticeable. 

Beyond diabetes, dozens of other medical conditions can trigger nerve damage, including:

• Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which can cause your immune system to mistakenly attack your own nerve tissue
• Infections such as shingles, Lyme disease, and HIV that directly harm nerves or trigger inflammation that leads to damage
• Kidney and liver conditions that affect how toxins are filtered from your blood, and lead to harmful substances building up and harming your nerves
• Vitamin deficiencies, especially a lack of B vitamins, which starve your nerves of nutrients they need to function and repair themselves

Lifestyle choices and environmental exposures also contribute to nerve damage, including: 

• Heavy alcohol use 
• Certain medications, particularly chemotherapy drugs
• Physical injuries from car accidents, falls, or sports that can sever or compress nerves
• Repetitive motions at work or during hobbies that gradually wear down nerve function over time

What Are the Best Treatment Options for Peripheral Neuropathy?

The most important step in treating peripheral neuropathy is addressing whatever caused the nerve damage in the first place. For patients with diabetic neuropathy, getting blood sugar under control through diet changes, exercise, and medication can prevent further damage and sometimes allow nerves to heal. When vitamin deficiencies are to blame, taking supplements and eating nutrient-rich foods can restore nerve health. If a medication is causing problems, switching to a different drug can sometimes be an option. Treating infections, managing autoimmune conditions, and cutting back on alcohol also give your nerves the best chance to recover. 

Treatment Options for Nerve Pain

Managing nerve pain can be difficult because regular pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen often don't work well for nerve pain. The best treatment for peripheral neuropathy in Los Angeles includes medications that were originally developed for other conditions but turned out to be effective for neuropathy: 

• Gabapentin and pregabalin, which were created to prevent seizures, calm overactive nerves, and reduce pain signals
• Duloxetine, an antidepressant, changes the way your brain processes pain messages
• Capsaicin cream, which comes from hot peppers and works by depleting the chemical that sends pain signals to your brain
• Lidocaine patches numb the skin in painful areas

Beyond medication, several other therapies can help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life: 

• Physical therapy strengthens weak muscles, improves balance, and teaches you exercises to maintain flexibility and coordination
• Occupational therapy helps you adapt daily activities and use special tools to work around limitations caused by neuropathy
• Acupuncture, where thin needles are inserted at specific points on the body, may stimulate nerves and reduce pain for some people
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses a small battery-operated device that delivers gentle electrical currents through electrodes placed on your skin to interrupt pain signals

Can Peripheral Neuropathy Be Prevented? 

If you have diabetes or prediabetes, keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range is the single most powerful thing you can do to prevent diabetic neuropathy and further nerve damage. Check your blood sugar regularly, take medications as prescribed, and work with your doctor to adjust your treatment plan when needed. 

Eating balanced meals with plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains while limiting sugary foods and refined carbohydrates helps stabilize blood sugar throughout the day. Regular exercise not only helps control blood sugar but also improves blood flow to your nerves, delivering the oxygen and nutrients they need to stay healthy. 

Your daily habits and lifestyle choices play a huge role in nerve health. Limiting alcohol consumption protects your nerves from toxic damage and helps your body absorb the vitamins it needs. Eating a varied diet rich in B vitamins, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids gives your nerves the building blocks they need to function properly. Foods like fish, eggs, leafy greens, nuts, and fortified cereals are especially beneficial. 

Where to Find the Best Neurologist in Los Angeles for Neuropathy Treatment

Whether you're experiencing a strange pins-and-needles sensation for the first time or you've been living with chronic nerve pain for years, Dr. Danny Benmoshe can help. At Los Angeles Neurology, we’re committed to diagnosing the root causes of neuropathy and developing treatment plans that address both immediate symptoms and long-term nerve health. We use advanced diagnostic testing to pinpoint exactly which nerves are damaged and why, then combine proven medications with innovative therapies to give you the relief you deserve.