What is the cure for neuropathy?
Neuropathy can be a real pain in the neck, affecting millions of people worldwide. The burning question on everyone’s mind is: Is there a cure for neuropathy? This article delves into the available treatments and potential cures for various forms of neuropathy, including diabetic neuropathy and neuropathy of the feet. So, buckle up and let’s jump right into it!
Is There a Cure for Neuropathy?
Before we can answer this million-dollar question, let’s briefly touch on what neuropathy is. Neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy, is a condition characterized by damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. This damage can lead to a range of symptoms, such as pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness.
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The effectiveness of a cure or treatment depends on the type and cause of neuropathy. Let’s dive into some of the most common types and their respective treatments.
Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy | Incidence (%) |
---|---|
Diabetes | 30-50 |
Alcoholism | 10-20 |
Vitamin deficiencies | 5-10 |
Inherited disorders (e.g., CMT) | 3-5 |
Autoimmune diseases (e.g., Lupus) | 1-3 |
Diabetic Neuropathy: A Sugar-coated Problem
Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common forms of neuropathy, affecting approximately 50% of individuals with diabetes. It’s caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels, which can damage nerves over time.
Is There a Cure for Diabetic Neuropathy?
Currently, there’s no definitive cure for diabetic neuropathy. However, there are treatments available that can help manage symptoms and prevent further nerve damage.
Tight Blood Sugar Control: The Key to Prevention
One of the most important factors in managing diabetic neuropathy is maintaining optimal blood sugar levels. This can help slow the progression of nerve damage and may even reverse some of the symptoms.
There is some evidence that a combination of a ketogenic diet along with intermittent fasting may dramatically decrease blood glucose measurements. There are well documented cases of patients resolving (aka curing) their diabetes with dietary changes alone.
Medications: Relief in a Bottle
Pain relief medications, such as over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and prescription medications like gabapentin, pregabalin, and duloxetine can help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with diabetic neuropathy.
Alternative Therapies: A Holistic Approach
Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy, can also provide relief from the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
Neuropathy of the Feet: Walking on Pins and Needles
Neuropathy of the feet, often caused by diabetes or other underlying conditions, can lead to debilitating pain and mobility issues.
Is There Any Cure for Neuropathy of the Feet?
Although there isn’t a cure-all for neuropathy of the feet, various treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Custom Orthotics: A Step in the Right Direction
Custom orthotics can provide much-needed support and cushioning for the feet, reducing pressure on the nerves and alleviating pain.
Nerve Stimulation: A Shocking Solution
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has shown promise in reducing pain for some individuals with neuropathy of the feet.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been given an FDA indication to treat diabetic and peripheral neuropathy. A spinal cord stimulator is an implanted device that stimulates the spinal nerves to disrupt pain signals from reaching the brain.
Is There Any Cure for Peripheral Neuropathy?
At the time of this writing, there are no known cures for peripheral neuropathy. Reversing the underlying cause of neuropathy may or may not resolve the symptoms of neuropathy. Diabetic patients should learn to control their blood sugar levels through dietary changes. For instance, eating foods that do no cause a spike in insulin levels (keto diet) or decreasing insulin secretion through intermittent fasting may reverse diabetes.
Supplements for the treatment of neuropathy
There are multiple supplements available on the market which claim to have efficacy for treating peripheral neuropathy. There is some evidence that alpha lipoic acid may be beneficial for treating the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. We have listed a few of highly recommended products that are available on Amazon.com.
Product Name | Manufacturer | Active Ingredient | Star Rating | |
---|---|---|---|---|
NerveRenew Neuropathy Support Formula | NerveRenew | B-Vitamins, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Magnesium, Turmeric | 4.5 | |
Our Choice | Nuturna Neuropathy Support Supplement | Nuturna Our choice due to higher Alpha lipoic acid content | B-Vitamins, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Acetyl L-Carnitine, Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid | 4.3 |
Nervestra Advanced Nerve Support | Rejuvica Health | Alpha Lipoic Acid, Turmeric, Passionflower, B-Vitamins | 4.2 | |
NeuraZenx Nerve Pain Relief | NeuraZenx | B-Vitamins, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Acetyl L-Carnitine, Magnesium | 4.1 |
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About the author: Rainier Guiang, MD is board certified in Pain Management and Anesthesiology and has been in academic and private practice since 1999.
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