Am I at Risk for Peripheral Neuropathy?

The pain, tingling, and mobility changes brought on by peripheral neuropathy are no fun. They’re also common, affecting some 20 million people in the United States. Thankfully, peripheral neuropathy is also treatable. 

Knowing your risk factors for peripheral neuropathy can help ensure that you get the care you need early on, before your condition gets worse. This is important, given that untreated neuropathy can lead to complications, such as blood sugar problems and even loss of a limb.

At Infinity Regenerative and Neuropathy Center in Plano, Texas, Dr. Alma Horrilleno and Dr. Henry Horrilleno provide targeted solutions for peripheral neuropathy using an FDA-cleared, clinically proven protocol. If you’re wondering if you’re at risk for peripheral neuropathy, read on.

Peripheral neuropathy basics

When you have peripheral neuropathy, it means you have nerve damage or dysfunction that’s affecting communication between your central nervous system (CNS) and your peripheral nervous system (PNS). While your CNS includes your brain and spinal cord, your PNS includes nerves that connect your CNS to your limbs and organs.

Peripheral neuropathy affects people differently, but common symptoms include: 

• Loss of reflexes
• Numbness or tingling, especially in your feet
• Poor balance or coordination
• Sensitivity to touch
• Sharp cramps or pain

These symptoms can present quickly and worsen over time. 

Risk factors for peripheral neuropathy

Most anyone can develop peripheral neuropathy, but it’s more likely if you have a health condition or injury that gets in the way of normal blood circulation. Another common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. In fact, an estimated 60-70% of people with diabetes develop peripheral neuropathy at some point. 

Other risk factors include:

• A history of high cholesterol
• Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• Excessive alcohol use
• Exposure to heavy metals
• Deficiencies of nutrients, such as vitamin B12
• HIV or cancer treatment
• Use of tobacco products
• Overweight and obesity

While some of these risk factors are beyond your control, you can lower your risk for peripheral neuropathy by leading a healthy lifestyle.

Treatment for peripheral neuropathy

Treatment specifics for peripheral neuropathy vary, depending on factors such as the severity of your symptoms. In all cases, treatment aims to address nerve damage, reduce discomfort, and minimize pain. 

At Infinity Regenerative and Neuropathy Center, we accomplish this with an innovative treatment that combines a local anesthetic with electronic cell signaling treatment (EST).

Your treatment plan may also involve:

• Counseling or therapy
• Dietary changes
• Oral or injected medications
• Smoking cessation
• Specialized exercises
• Stress management
• Weight management

To learn more about peripheral neuropathy or to get the care you need, call our office or request an appointment online today. We would love to help you get on the path to better health and well-being.