Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a common health condition, estimated to affect 25-30% of people in the United States at some point during their life. However, neuropathy causes many symptoms, making it hard to diagnose accurately. At RHBNeuro in Dallas, Texas, Randi Baculi, MD, and Sanam Zaidi, PA-C, use the TMFlow autonomic nervous system (ANS) testing tool to evaluate and manage neuropathy. Call the office or schedule your neuropathy appointment online.

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy, also called peripheral neuropathy (PN), is damage to or dysfunction of a peripheral nerve. Your peripheral nerves communicate between your body and your central nervous system (CNS) — the brain and spinal cord.

Damage to or dysfunction of a peripheral nerve disrupts this communication, causing various symptoms.

What are the symptoms of neuropathy?

Neuropathy symptoms differ depending on the kind of nerve that’s damaged: sensory nerve, motor nerve, or autonomic nerve.

Sensory nerve symptoms

Sensory nerves carry sensory messages (taste, touch, smell, vision, hearing) from your body to your CNS. If you have sensory nerve damage, you can experience pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or some combination.

Motor nerve symptoms

Motor nerves communicate between your brain and muscles, making the muscles move. Damaged or dysfunctional motor nerves can cause muscle weakness, poor balance, or difficulty walking.

Autonomic nerve symptoms

The autonomic nerves control all the involuntary functions in your body, like breathing, body temperature, and digestion. If your neuropathy affects an autonomic nerve, you might have problems with digestion, notice sensitivities to hot or cold, or experience excessive sweating.

What causes neuropathy?

You can develop neuropathy from an underlying illness or injury. Diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy.

Other conditions that cause neuropathy include:

• Traumatic injury
• Autoimmune disorders: Lupus and vasculitis
• Hypothyroidism
• Circulation problems: Blood clots or peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Excessive alcohol consumption

Some people develop neuropathy for no known cause, called idiopathic neuropathy.

What happens during a neuropathy evaluation?

The board-certified neurologist at RHBNeuro conducts a thorough exam when you come in for a neuropathy evaluation. They review your symptoms and medical history and complete physical and neurological exams.

They use the TMFlow testing system from LD Technology in Miami, Florida. This system evaluates and manages neuropathy. This innovative tool analyzes the autonomic nervous system (ANS), detecting early signs of neuropathy.

What are the treatments for neuropathy?

RHBNeuro creates individualized plans for neuropathy based on the underlying cause, the kind of nerve damage you’ve suffered, and your symptoms. Primary treatment focuses on the cause of your neuropathy to prevent further damage.

Other treatments can include:

• Medication to ease pain
• Physical therapy
• Proper nutrition
• Weight management
• Quitting smoking

RHBNeuro schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor your neuropathy and nerve function and adjust your plan when needed.

RHBNeuro has had a lot of success in improving ANS health when their patients follow the orders created by the board-certified neurologist.

Call RHBNeuro or schedule your appointment with the neuropathy experts online.