What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy, is peripheral nerve damage or dysfunction. Your peripheral nerves carry messages to and from your brain from all areas of your body.
Damage to these nerves may cause various symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning, pain, or muscle weakness. With neuropathy, you might have mononeuropathy (damage to one nerve) or polyneuropathy (damage to multiple nerves).
You may develop neuropathy from an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, or an injury that damages the nerve.
What are the types of neuropathy?
There are many types of neuropathy; the most common include:
Entrapment neuropathy
Entrapment neuropathy causes pain, numbness, or tingling from compression or pressure on a nerve. Carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and tarsal tunnel syndrome are types of entrapment neuropathy.
Length-dependent peripheral neuropathy
Length-dependent peripheral neuropathy means the damage or dysfunction began with the longest nerves in the body. With this type of neuropathy, your symptoms typically start in your feet.
Small fiber neuropathy
With small fiber neuropathy, the damage affects the narrow peripheral nerves. Your small or narrow nerves are the sensory nerves in the skin.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIPD)
CIPD is inflammation of the peripheral nerves and nerve roots, damaging the myelin sheath that protects your nerves and helps with nerve signaling.
How is neuropathy diagnosed?
Dr. Lalani is a skilled neurologist and conducts in-depth clinical exams to diagnose neuropathy. During your visit, he listens intently to your story and concerns, reviews your medical history, and performs a physical and neurological exam.
In most cases, he diagnoses the type of neuropathy you have after a history and physical. However, he may also request nerve conduction studies, such as an electromyogram to find and assess the severity of the damaged nerve.
How is neuropathy treated?
Dr. Lalani customizes your neuropathy treatment plan based on the underlying cause of your pain condition, the type of nerve damage you have, the severity of your symptoms, and your personal preferences.
Treatment for your neuropathy may include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Nerve pain medication
- Physical therapy
- Splinting or bracing
- Disease-specific medication
- Nutritional supplements
- Steroid injections
- Antibody injections or immunotherapy for CIPD
- Spinal cord stimulator for chronic nerve pain
For conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, Dr. Lalani may recommend surgery to treat the nerve compression and alleviate symptoms.
For expert care of your neuropathy from an experienced neurologist and pain medicine physician, call the office of Irfan Lalani, MD, PA, or schedule an appointment online today.
