Neurology Consultants of Arizona
Luay Shayya, MD
Neurology & Concussion Specialist located in Scottsdale, AZ
While all types of neuropathy are known for causing pain, some may heal as nerves regenerate, while others lead to health complications such as vision loss or diabetes. Luay Shayya, MD, at Neurology Consultants of Arizona in Scottsdale, Arizona, has the expertise needed to determine the type of neuropathy and the best treatment for relieving your symptoms. If you have questions about neuropathy, call the office or schedule an appointment online.
Neuropathy Q & A
What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy refers to any injury or disease affecting your nerves. However, the term is typically used to mean peripheral neuropathy, which is when the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord are damaged. There are many types of peripheral neuropathy; these are only a few examples:
- Peripheral neuropathy: Affects sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves throughout your body
- Proximal neuropathy: Affects the nerves in your shoulders, hips, thighs, or buttocks
- Diabetic neuropathy: Damages nerves throughout your body but often affects your feet and eyes
Diabetes damages nerves when your blood sugar stays higher than normal.
What causes neuropathy?
You can develop neuropathy from many possible causes, including:
- Infections
- Injuries
- Autoimmune disease
- Kidney disease
- Blood vessel disorders
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Certain medications
- Alcoholism
Although it’s possible to inherit neuropathy, genetic nerve conditions are rare compared with the other possible causes.
What symptoms develop due to neuropathy?
Neuropathy may cause sudden symptoms or problems that gradually develop over the years. The exact symptoms depend on the nerve that’s damaged. You can also have mixed symptoms if several types of nerves are involved.
Sensory nerves transmit information from your body to your brain. They often cause a sharp, burning, or electric-shock pain and tingling sensations. However, damaged sensory nerves can also cause numbness that makes it impossible to feel pain.
Motor nerves carry information from your brain to your muscles. As a result, these nerves cause symptoms like muscle weakness, cramps, and loss of muscle tone. The changes in your muscles may make it hard to walk or move parts of your body.
Autonomic nerves control all the essential body functions that keep you alive, including your heart, breathing, body temperature, and digestion. Damage to your autonomic nerves can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including an irregular heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, and bowel or bladder problems.
How is neuropathy treated?
Dr. Shayya provides comprehensive care that’s customized to meet the needs of your specific type of nerve damage. If you have an underlying medical condition like diabetes, that problem is also treated to prevent ongoing nerve damage.
Since there isn’t a cure for peripheral neuropathy, the goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and stop the problem from worsening. Dr. Shayya may prescribe oral or topical medications, perform a nerve block, or recommend other pain-relieving options like electrical nerve stimulation.
When you start to experience nerve pain and tingling, call Neurology Consultants of Arizona or book an appointment online.