Archive for the ‘Treatments’ Category

Neuropathy Treatment and Remedies using Ancient Eastern Methods

Sunday, July 11th, 2010

There are many symptoms of peripheral neuropathy that can be remedied using ancient eastern methods such as acupuncture or herbal medicine. These methods have been used for thousands of years and have helped thousands of people worldwide. Although some people may say that it is not an exact science, many studies are beginning to prove the significance and scientific justification of ancient eastern methods. Medicine in itself is continuously growing and new discoveries and inventions are being developed each day. There are many things that are still overlooked and one of these things would be the eastern way of medicine.

There are many herbal medicines that are known to support healthy and normal blood circulation. The same goes for acupuncture. Acupuncture is supposed to restore harmony and balance in the body by manipulating the flow of energy in your body. This can really be helpful in preventing many causes of peripheral neuropathy. The risks in these procedures are very minimal for as long as you go to an experienced and trusted practitioner. Herbal medicines are all-natural and actually very healthy that is why taking it would really be beneficial not just as a treatment for neuropathy but also for overall health and wellbeing.

But don’t forget that it is still best to go to the physician. Any symptom should not be ignored or shrugged off. Having it checked by a licensed and trusted physician is still always the best and is recommended. Alternative medicine such as eastern methods should be treated as just secondary and primary treatment and cures still go to a medical doctor.

Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment can be Improved by Lifestyle Choices

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

While there are a lot of known methods considered as peripheral neuropathy treatment, there are also a few which can be done on your own. This is because there are some factors which can contribute to the condition if it is not treated properly. Once these lifestyle treatment options will be observed, the patient suffering from neuropathy can have a better chance of getting treated as soon as possible.

These treatment procedures involve lifestyle changes that require the effort of the patient to make the necessary actions. As such, they should be strictly practiced by the patient so that he can ensure his condition will be monitored much better. Such examples of these treatments involve maintaining an optimal weight, following an exercise program supervised by a physician, avoiding exposure to toxins, correcting deficiencies with vitamins, eating a well balanced diet, and by limiting or avoiding the consumption of alcohol.

The above mentioned are all lifestyle changes that one must adhere to if he wants to be healed from his peripheral neuropathy. In other situations, they are being done to supply the medication that has been prescribed the physician.

As always, having a healthy lifestyle is the best answer if you want to refrain from getting any diseases. This can be achieved with regular exercise, proper diet and nutrition, stop smoking, and by the right self-care or hygiene skills. Not only are these peripheral neuropathy treatment methods but they can also be the start of having a healthy life ahead. By making sure the patient has a healthy lifestyle, diseases can be avoided and he can have a better life. Failure to follow the guidelines for a healthy life can thoroughly lead to the downfall of the body’s immune system. And for this, neuropathy and other diseases are being welcomed into the body.

The Common Medications Being Used as Treatment for Neuropathy

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Now that neuropathy has been discussed, many are probably looking for the appropriate treatment for neuropathy. One goal of its treatment though is so that the condition of the patient can be managed. Once the original cause has been corrected, the neuropathy disease will eventually improve by itself. In addition to this goal, treatment is also being done so that the painful symptoms can be relieved. Among these treatments include taking the following medications:

Pain relievers- While this is self explanatory, taking over the counter pain relievers can relieve the mild symptoms of neuropathy such as burning pain, sensitivity, and muscle weakness to the affected area. However, if there are more serious symptoms, doctors can prescribe painkillers. These prescription drugs include opiates or codeine. Because this can lead to drug dependence, sedation or constipation, these drugs are only being prescribed when all the other treatments do not work.
Lidocaine patch- This is a patch which contains a topical anesthetic known as lidocaine. Normally, it is being applied to the area where there is severe pain. In one day, patients can use up to four patches in order to relieve pain. For some people, they can develop a rash on the area where the patch has been placed.
Anti-seizure medications- Originally, drugs like topiramate (Topamax), carbamazepine (Tegretol), gabapentin (Neurontin), phentyoin (Dilantin), and pregabalin (Lyrica) were developed to cure epilepsy. But doctors can also prescribe them to treat nerve pain.
Antidepressants- While tricyclic antidepressants like nortriptyline and amitriptyline were originally developed for treating depression, they were also found to be able to help alleviate pain. This is through the drugs ability to interfere with the spinal cord and the brain’s chemical processes of causing patients to feel pain.

While these medications are being used as treatment for neuropathy, extreme care still needs to be enforced when taking them so that side effects can be avoided.

Idiopathic Neuropathy – Is There No Hope?

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

What Is Idiopathic Neuropathy And What Are Its Dangers?

While there are types of nerve damage which have neuropathy treatments, there are people who suffer knowing that they have the problem for life. Unfortunately, there’s such a thing called Idiopathic Neuropathy. If you study the definition of peripheral neuropathy, it’s actually just the same. But there’s a mystery at hand here. Doctors and experts cannot tell the cause of idiopathic neuropathy even with advanced diagnosis.

Basically, idiopathic neuropathy focuses on a person’s peripheral nervous system. The symptoms are almost the same but these vary on which nerves are damaged. For example, damaged motor nerves can cause the muscles to weaken while sensory nerve injury can produce numbness and the loss of feeling.

How Can Idiopathic Neuropathy Be Cured?

Unfortunately, people who have this type of neuropathy are unfortunate enough to be stuck with this sickness for life. Because of the fact that there is a great question as to which caused idiopathic neuropathy, the remedy is hard to determine. Although this is true, there are therapies and certain methods which can alleviate the symptoms.

Even with this fact, experts still try their hardest in order to find ways in order to find the cure for Idiopathic neuropathy. In fact, experiments have been done in order to see if electrowaves and infrared light can produce good results. So far, so good, there is a treatment called Anodyne therapy and it has been proven to be successful as a cure for all types of neuropathies. Yet, this is still under research.

Basic Information On How To Treat Peripheral Neuropathy

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Above is a short video with relevant information about peripheral neuropathy. It talks about how it is important to treat the underlying disease which has caused the neuropathy before anything else. If this does not work then a combination of medicines and pain killers (over the counter and prescription) are usually used. Neuropahty treatment is a very serious topic, and is something that anyone suffering from the ailment should know the basic facts about.

Medicines to Treat Neuropathy

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Treating neuropathy with medicines—lots of them.

You type “medicines to treat neuropathy” and then sneak a peek at the clock. It’s nearly time for a coffee break and you just need to finish that last article your boss is asking you to do when all of a sudden, your hand stops working. You will it to move, sending signals from your brain to your arm, down to your fingers. But it doesn’t budge an inch. You panic.

That’s how it happened to me last year. I went to about three doctors, had gone crazy and broke, before one pinpointed it as neuropathy. It was a disease I’ve never heard of it before but I assumed curing it would cost a lot. True enough, it did. I had to drink four kinds of medicines, most of which I had to drink three times a day. There have been side effects—I was sleepy all day; I felt sluggish; I got fat; and I often had dizzy spells that lasted for days—but that was the price I had to pay (other than the monetary kind, of course) for the medicines. I had to get well as soon as possible after all.

Treating neuropathy with medicines takes a lot of time.

I’ve been taking the recommended medicines to treat neuropathy for more than a year now and fortunately, there have been results. I haven’t fully recovered yet but my doctor says I will; I just need to keep drinking my medicines. I’ve realized that I can’t rush things with this type of sickness. Oh well. They say patience is a virtue that leads to salvation. I hope that patience is really one of the medicines used to treat neuropathy.

Neuropathy and Radiculopathy: Radiculoneuropathy

Friday, May 8th, 2009

Neuropathy and Radiculopathy – The how’s and what’s

Neuropathy and Radiculopathy are two of the leading sicknesses of the nervous system. Their symptoms are usually ignored at first and are just shrugged off as muscle aches. You only pay attention to them when they are already too painful to ignore.

You must note that neuropathy is different from radiculopathy. The first one is a disorder of the PNS or peripheral nervous system; while the latter is a condition where one or two nerves don’t function properly. Since radiculopathy usually concerns the nerve roots, it isn’t usually connected with neuropathy. However, there are some cases where the peripheral nerves are concerned as well. Thus the term radiculoneuropathy.

Radiculoneuropathy, treatments that might get in your nerves

Treatment for these sicknesses is costly, I can tell you. There is the doctor’s fee, the medicine bills, the physical therapy—and in worse cases, surgery. Recovery could take a long time and it usually depends on the severity of the case. Prevention is still better than curing, and information is its key. Ask your neurologist for more information about neuropathy and radiculopathy: radiculoneuropathy.

Can Peripheral Neuropathy Be Cured?

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Most neuropathies can be cured

People diagnosed with neuropathy shouldn’t worry because neuropathy treatment is possible. Our peripheral nerves have a great ability to heal themselves, and though it may take many months, most patients do recover. There situations where the symptoms lesssent but do not go away completely, especially neuropathy resulting from nerve injuries caused by radiation. For cancer patients who are undergoing or have undergone chemotherapy, the nerve injuries resulting from it are difficult to cure and may take 2 to 5 years or even longer. Though some chemo patients do not recover from their acquired neuropathy, there are treatments they can benefit from and make use to lessen the symptoms being experienced. They can also choose to undergo rehabilitation to help them maintain their physical abilities.

treatment of peripheral neuropathy

How can neuropathy be treated?

Treatment of peripheral neuropathy depends largely on the cause. Taking supplements can help those whose neuropathies are due to nutritional deficiencies, while those suffering from diabetic neuropathy or neuropathies resulting from thyroid dysfunction, correcting these conditions can sometimes reverse the symptoms. For neuropathies acquired through chemotherapy, most treatments are supportive. However, if chemo treatment is continued even when peripheral neuropathy occurs, symptoms may worsen so cancer patients must be extra careful.

Things that can help neuropathy treatment

Recovery can also be helped by taking foods rich in protein, thiamine and antioxidants, using pain medications and undergoing physical and even occupational therapy. Currently, there are also medicines being researched and tested that show promise in helping nerves to heal. These studies also show promise in preventing peripheral neuropathies acquired through chemo from occuring or becoming severe.