Neuropathy Causes and Natural Solutions

The term Neuropathy is short for 'peripheral neuropathy'. It relates to

nerve damage suffered by the peripheral nervous system, which is in
charge of our nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

Neuropathy is a complication that can be caused by a number of various
conditions. Physical trauma, repetitive inury, infections, metabolic
problems and e!posure to to!ins and some drugs can all lead to
peripheral neuropathy.

Signs and symptoms of neuropathy
Neuropathy usually starts as a tingling or burning sensation at our
e!tremetieis, such as finger and toes. There is also a loss of sensation at
the edge of the nerves that patients have reported feels li"e they are
wea"ing a thin stoc"ing or glove on their hands.
The precise symptoms differ from patient to patient based on the types of
nerves affected. There are three types of nerves that may be affected by
neuropathy# Sensory, motor and autonomic.
Sensory nerves
Sensory nerves are responsible for collecting sensory information for the
body, such as touch. Neuropathy of the sensory nerves can be
e!pressed as#
$ Spreading numbness and tingling in hands and%or feet &which can
spread to the arms and legs'.
$ (urning, sharp or electric$li"e pain
$ )!treme sensitivity to touch
$ Problems with coordination
Motor nerves:
*otor nerves are the nerves responsible for activating our muscles and
control movements.

$ *uscle wea"ness
$ Paralysis
Autonomic nerves:
+utonomic nerves are responsible for internal actions of the body, such
as regulating digestion, heat and blood pressure.
$ Intolerance to heat
$ Problems with digestion, bladder and bowel control
$ ,i--iness &or light headedness' brought about by problems with blood
pressure.

A common cause of neuropathy: Diabetes
.or diabetics, neuropathy can be /uite common. That said, about 012 of
diabetics who have neuropathy won't notice the symptoms, and it will
stay on a very low level. .or the other 012, however, the symptoms will
be unavoidable. Pain is the most common complaint, usually a 'pric"ling',
'stabbing' or 'burning' pain, that happens mostly at night. This, along with
a numbness that feels as if the limb is 'asleep' $ occures predominantly in
the toes, feet and legs.

What do doctors prescribe for this condition?
*ost doctors will stic" to the old medical regime of anti$depressants, anti$
convulsants, steroid and cortisone inections, lidocaine patches and pain
"illers. These are powerful drugs that address the painful sensations for
short and long term relief. 3owever, as powerful drugs, they have a host
of side$effects and must be administered very carefully. Some medical
practiontioners recommend electrical stimulation of the pain area and of
the spine. The medical community is united in agreement that more
solutions to this problem are re/uired, but progress has been very slow
from the medical and drug industry so far.
Natural solutions to neuropathy
.irst off, if you are suffering from diabetes related neuropathy, you must
do the following#
$ 4ive up smo"ing
$ Cut down on alcohol consumption or give it up altogether
$ *aintain a healthy weight
$ )!ercise
5ther recommended habits for those suffering from neuropathy include#
6earing clothing that causes less irritation, such as cotton, covering the
sensitive areas with wound dressing or cling film and using cold pac"s.
Stress relief is also a big help when it comes to neuropathy, and so
rela!ation techni/ues are a big help, such as yoga, meditation and
acupuncture.
Vitamin therapy
Clinical studies have shown that certain supplements can have a
cuulative effect on the symptoms and causes of neuropathy. These
herbal e!tracts can be ta"en without worry that they may clash with a
parallel medical treatment. Certain herbal e!tracts and formulas offer a
level of relief that has rarely been reached by ust using medical
procedures. This must be ta"en daily to achieve the desired relief.
Vitamins B1, B, B! and B1"
7itamin ( defincey is one of the maor causes
of neuropathy, and also one of the best natural solutions. +ll herbal
e!tracts contain large amounts of vitamin (8, usually in its common form
of thiamine.
9ecent natural medications have reverted to using benfotiamine, which
has been found to be significantly more effective in delivering vitamin (
than thiamine is &!:'.
Stabili#ed $%Alpha &ipoic Acid '$%A&A(
This powerful antio!idant that is one of the rare few materials that can
pass through the brain's blood%brain barrier to enter the brain and go
directly where it is needed the most.
*ost importantly, it has a specific effect on the nerves that eases the
pain and numbness associated with neuropathy, and promotes better
blood flow and o!ygen to the nerves.
9ecent studies have reported that ust by using the 9$+;+ alone, orally,
has reduced symptoms of neuropathy.
Neuropathy support formulas
These days, it is
common for those suffering from neuropathy to ta"e both medical and
vitamin therapies, combining short$term treatment with the cumulative
effects of correct nutrition.
The best formulas &so ma"e sure they have these in the ingredient list'
include vitamins (8, (< and (8<, as well as 7itamin ,, 9$+;+ and
materials that rela! your nervous system, avoiding over stimulation.
I personally recommend chec"ing those out for anyone who is really
loo"ing for a solution to their neuropathy problem, or is worried they are
developing one. .or diabetes patients, this would be a good way to
perhaps prevent the onset of neuropathic symptoms.