Treatment for peripheral neuropathy may include treatment of any underlying cause or symptom. Treatment may be more successful for certain underlying causes. For example, ensuring that diabetes is well controlled can help improve neuropathy or, at least, prevent it from worsening. Lidocaine patches are another treatment that is applied to the skin to relieve pain. Side effects may include drowsiness, dizziness, and numbness at the patch site.
Side effects of antidepressants may include dry mouth, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, changes in appetite, weight gain, and constipation. Treatment for symptoms of neuropathy may include tricyclic antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, or electrical stimulation. Physical therapy can also help control neuropathy and improve mobility. From oral medications to topical treatments and injectable therapies, medical interventions provide unique benefits for treating the multifaceted symptoms associated with this condition.
When treating diabetic neuropathy, oral medications play a critical role in relieving symptoms. This category includes anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin or pregabalin, that effectively control nerve pain. In addition, tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are essential for relieving chronic hand or foot pain. These medications are designed to treat the various manifestations of diabetic neuropathy.
When it comes to managing the persistent and often distressing pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, a multifaceted approach can significantly improve quality of life. There are effective strategies that include medications for nerve pain, physical therapy and lifestyle modifications, all aimed at alleviating discomfort and promoting a sense of well-being. In addition, intrathecal drug delivery involves the targeted delivery of drugs directly to the spinal cord through a surgically implanted device. This method allows for accurate and controlled dosing, effectively controlling the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy and minimizing the possibility of systemic side effects.
Transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation (TENS) is a therapy method that can be used to treat nerve pain. Its function is to prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. It is a drug-free therapy that works by placing very small electrical impulses in specific nerve pathways. Electrical impulses reach nerves through electrodes placed on the skin.
While it doesn't work for everyone or for all types of pain, TENS can be prescribed in combination with other treatments, primarily to alleviate acute forms of nerve pain. TENS therapy uses a mild electrical current to alleviate pain and other symptoms of neuropathy. Small electrodes are placed on the skin near the injured nerve. Once applied, the electrodes provide a gentle electrical current.
Specifically, TENS therapy works by blocking or changing the perception of pain by nerves. One of the main goals of treating diabetic painful neuropathy is to control symptoms and prevent further nerve damage. If you already have neuropathy and are starting cancer treatment, talk to your team about your specific symptoms. Sometimes, drugs developed and used to control other conditions are effective treatments for symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
It's important to identify the type of pain medication that works best to control the painful symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, that also works with body chemistry and complements other treatments. Since 1947, Dana-Farber's sole goal has been to provide specialized cancer care and innovative treatments to adult and pediatric patients. Cancer patients who are also diabetics should work with their oncologist and endocrinologist to ensure that they are receiving the right complement of treatments for both diabetes as for cancer. Learn more about peripheral neuropathy with information about symptoms, treatments, support groups and upcoming events.
This process involves a series of evaluations and tests that allow health professionals to obtain information about the extent and nature of nerve damage, which serves as a guide for the formulation of a personalized treatment plan. Fortunately, there are a wide range of treatment options for diabetic neuropathy available to alleviate pain and increase range of motion. Some of the most commonly used therapies are listed below, but the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy regularly receives inquiries from the community about other treatments, devices and products, some of which receive a lot of advertising on the Internet, newspapers and social networks. However, when the best treatments work well for only a quarter or less of patients, and nearly half abandon treatment within the first 12 weeks, it's clear that better, safer, and less expensive treatments are needed.
By delving deeper into this diagnostic process, healthcare professionals can develop a multifaceted understanding of the person's condition, leading to a personalized treatment approach focused on alleviating symptoms and preventing the progression of diabetic neuropathy. Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for neuropathy, as it can help maintain balance, strength and security. New treatments are being developed for diabetic neuropathy, offering innovative options to effectively treat this condition. This means controlling your blood sugar level if you have diabetes or talking to your doctor about safe and effective treatments if you think you may have a problem with alcohol.
