Neuropathy is a condition that is characterized by nerve damage. It is a painful condition, wherein, the nerves connecting the spinal cord and the brain, to various body parts get damaged.
The impaired nerves stop functioning normally. As a result, the individual experiences tingling numbness, and pain in the hands and / or feet. Movement and various body functions may get impaired too.
Home Remedies And Natural Cure For Neuropathy
- Capsaicin: found in abundance in bell peppers, capsaicin reduces pain by decreasing the stimulation of pain receptors. At first, capsaicin may cause a prickly sensation, however, once the first phase passes, capsaicin is extremely effective.
- Oats: oats supply loads of vitamin B; and vitamin B is known to effectively manage neuropathy.
- Lifestyle management: weight management, a regular exercise program, correcting dietary deficiencies, eating a balanced diet, and abstaining from alcohol are crucial aspects.
- Acupuncture: a few, regular sessions of acupuncture will afford noteworthy benefits as well. Acupuncture restores harmony and balance within the body by manipulating the flow of ‘chi’ or the vital energy in the body.
Acupuncture promises to allay pain and tingling numbness to a very great extent. - Physiotherapy: specific exercises can help improve the symptoms of neuropathy significantly.
Vitamin Supplement For Neuropathy
The following vitamins play a crucial role in the management of neuropathies:
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- Vitamin B1 is exceedingly effective in managing neuropathies, particularly, alcoholic and diabetic neuropathies. It eases pain and tingling. Studies and clinical trials have stated amelioration within a 3-week trial period
Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B6 hampers glycosylation of proteins, a major risk factor for the development of diabetic neuropathy.
Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B12 supplementation helps alleviate numbness of the feet, tingling and burning sensation, and pain.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- By and large, diabetic neuropathy can be easily managed with vitamin C supplements. Insulin assists in the transport of vitamin C in to cells, thus reducing capillary permeability and enhancing wound healing. Diabetes exhausts intra-cellular vitamin C, which denies a diabetic of vitamin C’s cellular protection.
Vitamin E
- Vitamin E is a very potent anti oxidant which drastically diminishes levels of free radicals and oxidative damage. Research and clinical studies show that 6 months of vitamin E supplementation can improve nerve conduction and nerve function appreciably.
Symptoms And Types Of Neuropathy
The most commonly seen features and clinical manifestations of neuropathy are:
Neuropathy is seen as moderate pain, cramps, tingling numbness and burning in the hands and feet. Eventually, patients experience severe shooting pains, difficulty in walking and holding objects, poor coordination and insomnia.
Types of Neuropathy
The 2 types of neuropathy are diffuse and focal. Diffuse neuropathy affects various parts of the body; focal neuropathy affects a single nerve and part of the body.
The 2 sub types of Diffuse Neuropathy are: Peripheral Neuropathy, that affects the hands and feet, and Autonomic Neuropathy that affects the internal organs.
Peripheral neuropathy is predominantly responsible for the tingling numbness and pain; while autonomic neuropathy affects nerves that serve the visceral organs and may produce changes in body systems, such as, bladder control gets affected, sexual function may get impaired, and frequent GI upsets may occur.
