Guillain Barre’ Syndrome | Health Solutions Group

Do You Have Peripheral Neuropathy?

If you have

Diabetics are not the only people susceptible to peripheral neuropathy in their feet and hands.

Diabetes
Cancer (and you’re undergoing chemotherapy)
Shingles
HIV/AIDS
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Exposure to toxins

You have a pretty good idea of what to expect from your disease. Your doctor has probably given you a list of symptoms that you’re likely to experience, if you’re not experiencing them already.

But if in addition to the symptoms you were expecting, you’re having[1]

Swelling in your feet, legs or hands
Muscle cramps in your legs
Changes in your skin and nails
Numbness in your feet and hands
Inability of feel heat or cold
Sleepless nights due to pain
Muscle weakness
Painful burning and itching in your hands or feet
Feeling like you’re wearing gloves or socks when you’re not

You could be developing another symptom that your doctor might not have told you about.

And it could cause permanent nerve damage.

You could have peripheral neuropathy in your feet and/or hands.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy[2] is a condition that develops when your peripheral nerves are damaged. That damage can occur because of your diabetes, as a result of toxic chemotherapy, nerves being damaged by shingles, a lack of oxygen to the nerves caused by some other underlying condition or even as a result of HIV.

If you have the symptoms listed above, the nerves in your hands and feet have probably been damaged by your illness.

Granted, when you’re dealing with the debilitating effects of diabetes or cancer or HIV/AIDS, peripheral neuropathy may sound like nothing to really worry about.

But you know how miserable it is to have constant nerve pain…to be unable to feel the simplest sensation in your hands and feet…or on the opposite end of the spectrum, to go to bed at night and be so hypersensitive that even the sheets touching your hands and feet is torture.

How Serious is Hand/Foot Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy can be very serious. How many diabetic patients have you seen with amputations below the knee?

Those amputations are usually caused by damage to the circulatory and nervous system caused by their diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy plays a big part in these complications.

Diabetics are not the only people susceptible to peripheral neuropathy in their feet and hands. If you are taking chemotherapy, if you have HIV/AIDS, if you’ve had shingles, or even if you’ve had some other infectious disease, you’re a candidate for peripheral neuropathy.

The damage caused by peripheral neuropathy can be so gradual that you don’t think much about it.

One day you have a small cut on one of your feet. The nerves in your feet are damaged so you don’t really feel it and you don’t know it’s there if you don’t pay really close attention to the condition of your feet.

That small wound becomes infected. Your immune system and circulatory system are compromised so the tissue doesn’t heal properly. Before you know it, you have a serious infection and you lose your foot.

You’re a little less likely to have that problem with your hands simply because you see them all the time and you’re much more likely to notice if something is wrong. That means you’ll seek treatment faster.

What To Do If You Think You’re Developing Peripheral Neuropathy
The first thing you need to do is make sure your treating physician is aware of the problems you’re having with your feet and hands. Then you can take steps to help yourself.

First, find a local medical professional specializing in treating patients with peripheral neuropathy, like a NeuropathyDR® clinician. Make an appointment as soon as possible.

To get ready for your appointment –

Make note of what your underlying conditions are
Make a list of all medications you take
Write down when you first noticed your symptoms
Write down all of your symptoms
Write down what your typical daily diet looks like

Get started with treatment as quickly as possible to avoid additional nerve damage and possibly even reverse the damage that’s already there. Your NeuropathyDR® clinician will work with you to treat your symptoms, adjust your diet if you’re not eating like you should in light of your underlying condition and give you information and help on coping with the effects of peripheral neuropathy.

It’s critical that you seek treatment immediately.

For more information on determining whether or not you have peripheral neuropathy and how to cope with it if you do, get your Free E-Book and subscription to the Weekly Ezine “Beating Neuropathy” at http://neuropathydr.com.

[1] http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm
[2] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peripheral-neuropathy/DS00131/METHOD

Exercising Caution With Autonomic Neuropathy

If you’ve been diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy[1], you know you’re at risk for some serious medical issues.

Exercise can help control the symptoms of your underlying illness and by doing that, you can help lessen the symptoms of your autonomic neuropathy.

Autonomic neuropathy (i.e., nerve damage to the autonomic nervous system) can affect every system in the body, especially:

Cardiovascular – your heart, blood pressure and circulation
Respiratory
Gastrointestinal – your digestion, ability to ability to empty your bowels
Genitourinary – erectile dysfunction and loss of bladder control

While you’re dealing some or all of these issues, exercise may not be on your radar.

But it should be.

Exercise can help control the symptoms of your underlying illness (whatever caused your autonomic neuropathy) and by doing that, you can help lessen the symptoms of your autonomic neuropathy.

But a word of caution is in order here.

The very nature of your autonomic neuropathy can affect the systems that are most sensitive to the effects of exercise. Any exercise program you begin should be designed and monitored by a medical professional well versed in the effects of autonomic neuropathy, like your NeuropathyDR® clinician.

Use Vs. Disuse

When you’re thinking about starting an exercise program[2] and you’re thinking about how dangerous it can be, you also need to consider the effects of not starting an exercise program. The effects of not exercising are called “disuse syndrome”. If your level of activity seriously out of synch with your level of inactivity, you can develop:

Decreased physical work capacity
Muscle atrophy
Negative nitrogen and protein balance
Cardiovascular deconditioning
Pulmonary restrictions
Depression

The effects of any of these symptoms of disuse syndrome in combination with your autonomic neuropathy symptoms can make a bad situation even worse.

What You Need To Think About Before You Start Exercising

Think about what happens to your body when you exercise.

Your heart rate increases, your breathing becomes labored, you sweat.

Every single one of those results is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Autonomic neuropathy can seriously impact how your body responds to the stimulus of exercise. And your body may not react as it should.

Heart rate – If your autonomic neuropathy affects your cardiovascular system, you need to make sure that your exercise program is designed and monitored by your NeuropathyDR® clinician. Your autonomic neuropathy can lead to abnormal heart rate, inability to properly regulate blood pressure and redistribution of blood flow. Your cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy may cause you to have a higher resting rate and lower maximal heart rates during exercise.
Blood pressure – Blood pressure response with posture change and during exercise is abnormal in patients with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. Postural hypotension, defined as a drop in blood pressure may be seen. This can mean that the blood pressure doesn’t react normally during exercise. Symptoms are similar to hypoglycemia and may be mistaken for a drop in blood glucose even though it’s actually a drop in blood pressure. Patients should be alerted to the potential confusion in these symptoms and instructed to check blood glucose before treating for hypoglycemia.
Sweating and Disruption of Blood Flow – Autonomic neuropathy may reduce or even eliminate your ability to sweat. The loss of sweating, especially in your feet, can cause dry, brittle skin on the feet and you can develop skin ulcers. It can also make it more difficult for your body to respond to cold and heat. You need to make sure that you’re taking proper care of your feet before and during any exercise program. Make sure your shoes fit properly and examine your feet regularly to make sure you don’t have any sores, cracks or ulcers.

Autonomic neuropathy can have a serious effect on the very systems in the body that are directly affected by exercise. Make sure you talk to your local NeuropathyDR® clinician before you start an exercise program and let them monitor your progress.

For more information on coping with autonomic neuropathy, get your Free E-Book and subscription to the Weekly Ezine “Beating Neuropathy” at http://neuropathydr.com.

[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001780/

[2] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/autonomic-neuropathy/

Answering the “Why” of Neuropathy

If you’ve been diagnosed with neuropathy as a result of

Neuropathy doesn’t just affect the hands and feet.

Diabetes
HIV/AIDS or some other autoimmune disease
Chemotherapy
Shingles
Heredity

You probably have more questions than answers.

Neuropathy is probably the one symptom you never expected when you received your diagnosis.

To understand why you developed neuropathy, it helps to understand exactly what neuropathy is.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy[1] is a condition caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system controls communication between your brain and your spinal cord and every other part of your body. When you pick up a hot pan and feel the pain of the burn, that’s the peripheral nervous system at work.

When the peripheral nervous system is damaged by whatever your other condition is, the communication super highway of the peripheral nervous system is disrupted. The signals from the brain and spinal cord don’t make it to whatever part of the body is affected by your neuropathy. It’s like going into a dead zone with your cell phone and not having any “bars”. Your nerves just don’t make the proper connection.

And neuropathy doesn’t just affect the hands and feet. It can affect your digestive system, your cardiovascular system, your reproductive system, even your brain.

What Causes Neuropathy?

Any number of things can cause your neuropathy. Here are a couple of common examples:

If you have diabetes and your blood glucose levels aren’t controlled and have been high for significant period of time, the blood vessels that carry oxygen to your nerves can be damaged. Sort of like a potted plant that doesn’t get enough sunlight or water. Your nerves will wither and cease to function, just like your sunlight deprived plant.

If you HIV/AIDS or some other autoimmune disease, your immune system begins to attack your body and that can include your nervous system. That causes damage to the peripheral nerves.

Any of the conditions we discussed earlier can cause neuropathy because they all can damage your nervous system. The damage and the part of the nervous system damaged can vary as much as the patients with neuropathy but any of these illnesses places you at a much higher risk than the average person for developing neuropathy.

What Happens Once Those Nerves Are Damaged?

If your nervous system is damaged you can experience[2]

Numbness in your arms, hands, legs and feet
Inability to feel heat, cold or even pain in your arms, hands, legs and feet
Burning or tingling or even the “pins and needles” feeling you get when your legs or arms “go to sleep”
Changes in the shape of your feet caused by weakened muscles
Carpal tunnel syndrome

If your neuropathy affects your autonomic nervous system, you can experience

Digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea
Erectile dysfunction
Irregular heart beat
Loss of bladder control
Inability to regulate your blood pressure

Your NeuropathyDR® specialist has an exclusive treatment protocol with proven results for neuropathy patients. An integral part of that treatment protocol is nutrition counseling and diet planning. Your specialist will sit down with you and plan your meals to include the proper portions of each of these categories on a daily basis to make sure that your blood sugar remains as constant as possible.

Assess your current medical situation and take note of any of the symptoms we described. If you are experiencing any of these issues associated with neuropathy, contact your local NeuropathyDR® and take full advantage of their expertise in the treatment of neuropathies.

For more information on coping with diabetic neuropathy, get your Free E-Book and subscription to the Weekly Ezine “Beating Neuropathy” at http://neuropathydr.com.

[1] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peripheral-neuropathy/DS00131/METHOD

[2] http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm

Why Herniated Discs Can Cause Neuropathy

Have you been diagnosed with a herniated disc?

If your herniated disc is putting pressure on nerves, you’re in danger of developing nerve damage and neuropathy wherever the nerves are affected.

If so, you probably have the usual symptoms[1]:

Low backache
Numbness (if the disc is actually pressing on a nerve)
Leg pain

Those symptoms are no surprise.

But what may be a surprise are other symptoms[2]:

Severe, sharp, electric shock-like, shooting pain
Deep burning or cold in the feet or legs
Numbness, tingling or weakness in the feet and legs that doesn’t go away
Radiating pain down the legs and into the feet
Muscle spasms and deep muscle pain

And those symptoms could be caused by neuropathy – a condition you probably never heard of until you developed a herniated disc.

So Why Does a Herniated Disc Cause Neuropathy?

A herniated disc alone may not cause you that much pain. The pain you experience is caused by the disc putting pressure on the spinal cord and on nerve roots. The location and intensity of the pain you experience depends on which nerves are affected by the herniated disc and where it’s putting pressure.

Let’s say the herniated disc is putting pressure on nerves that lead to your feet. You will probably feel pain and numbness in your feet. The longer the pressure is on the nerve, the more the nerve will be damaged. That nerve damage can lead to neuropathy in your feet.

The same applies to the nerves in any other part of the body. If your herniated disc is putting pressure on nerves that affect that part of the body, you’re in danger of developing nerve damage and neuropathy wherever the nerves are affected.

If you have any of the neuropathy symptoms we listed above, you need to see your doctor, preferably your local NeuropathyDR® clinician, as soon as possible. The longer you let the nerve damage go untreated, the more likely the damage will be permanent.

Treatment Options

When you’re diagnosed with a herniated disc and develop neuropathy, the first goals of treatment are:

Pain relief – first and foremost
Address any weakness or numbness in your feet, legs and lower back
Prevention of additional injuries

Find a clinician with extensive experience in treating herniated discs and the accompanying neuropathy issues. Your local NeuropathyDR® clinician is an excellent place to start.

More than 90% of patients with herniated discs and neuropathy (if treated early on) will improve within 6 months without surgery. But you need to get in to the doctor and start treatment at the first sign of problems.

Once you get in to see your NeuropathyDR® clinician, the treatment protocol will be adapted to address your particular issues. For the most part, you can expect:

Bed rest followed by increased, prescribed and controlled activity
Chiropractic manipulation to get the spine back into proper alignment and take pressure off the herniated disc and nerves
Treatment with the ReBuilder™ treatment system to open up nerve channels and stimulate nerve repair
Exercises to reduce your pain and strengthen the muscles in the back
Dietary counseling to address any other underlying medical issues you may have

Contact us today for information on the best course of treatment to make sure that you’re herniated disc and compressive neuropathy are treated properly and promptly. Save yourself years of back pain misery.

For more information on coping with the pain of neuropathy, get your Free E-Book and subscription to the Weekly Ezine “Beating Neuropathy” at http://neuropathydr.com.

[1] http://www.cedars-sinai-edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Neurology/Conditions/Herniated-Discs

[2] http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/chronic-pain/all-about-neuropathy-and-chronic-back-pain

Why Do Diabetics Develop Neuropathy?

If you have diabetes and you have any of these symptoms[1]:

If left untreated, diabetic neuropathy can lead to serious and possibly permanent nerve damage.

Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
Difficulty swallowing
Deep pain, especially in your legs and feet
Loss of sensation and ability to feel warmth or cold
Muscle cramps
Numbness, tingling or burning in your arms, hands, legs or feet
Weakness
Dizziness, especially when you try to stand up
Drooping facial muscles
Loss of bladder control

You could have diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a type of peripheral neuropathy specific to patients who have diabetes. If left untreated, diabetic neuropathy can lead to serious and possibly permanent nerve damage.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek treatment with a medical professional with experience in diagnosing and treating diabetic neuropathy like your local NeuropathyDR® clinician.

Why Does Diabetes Cause Neuropathy?

If your blood glucose levels aren’t controlled and have been high for significant period of time, the blood vessels that carry oxygen to your nerves can be damaged. Elevated blood glucose can also damage the sheath that covers and protects the nerves. That leaves them vulnerable to damage. Diabetic neuropathy is just the medical term for the nerve damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels.

What Happens to Your Body Once Those Nerves Are Damaged?

Diabetic neuropathy happens when the nervous system is damaged.

If your peripheral nervous system is damaged you can experience[2]

Numbness in your arms, hands, legs and feet
Inability to feel heat, cold or even pain in your arms, hands, legs and feet
Burning or tingling or even the “pins and needles” feeling you get when your legs or arms “go to sleep”
Changes in the shape of your feet caused by weakened muscles
Carpal tunnel syndrome

If your neuropathy affects your autonomic nervous system, you can experience

Digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea
Erectile dysfunction
Irregular heart beat
Loss of bladder control
Inability to regulate your blood pressure

How Can You Reduce Your Risk of Diabetic Neuropathy?

The best defense against diabetic neuropathy is to get and keep your blood sugar under control. Your best bet for doing that is proper diet, strictly monitoring your blood sugar levels and always taking your diabetes medication as prescribed by your doctor.

A good diet for controlling your blood sugar includes:

Fresh fruit and vegetables
Lean meats
High fiber
Whole grains
No sweets

Your NeuropathyDR® specialist has an exclusive treatment protocol with proven results for diabetic neuropathy patients. An integral part of that treatment protocol is nutrition counseling and diet planning. Your specialist will sit down with you and plan your meals to include the proper portions of each of these categories on a daily basis to make sure that your blood sugar remains as constant as possible.

Assess your current medical situation and take note of any of the symptoms we described. If you are experiencing any of these issues associated with diabetic neuropathy, contact your local NeuropathyDR® and take full advantage of their expertise in the treatment of peripheral neuropathies, including diabetic neuropathy.

For more information on coping with diabetic neuropathy, get your Free E-Book and subscription to the Weekly Ezine “Beating Neuropathy” at http://neuropathydr.com.

[1] www.joslin.org/info/diabetic_neuropathy_nerve_damage_an_update.html

[2] http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm

Making the Most of Your Time with Your Doctor to Treat Your Peripheral Neuropathy

If you’ve been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, chances are that diagnosis was made by your family doctor.

The longer you wait, the more severe and potentially permanent your nerve damage can be.

Chances are even better that he’s sent you to a specialist to confirm that diagnosis and begin immediate treatment (if you’re lucky).

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy as a result of[1]:

Diabetes
Shingles
Chemotherapy
HIV/AIDS or some other immune deficiency disease
Exposure to toxins
Alcohol or drug abuse

If your treating physician hasn’t referred you to a specialist, one of the best things you can do is request a referral to a specialist in treating peripheral neuropathy, like your local NeuropathyDR® clinician.

Once that referral is made, you need to take advantage of every minute you have with your specialist. Peripheral neuropathy is not a condition forgiving of delayed treatment. The longer you wait, the more severe and long-lasting (potentially permanent) your nerve damage can be.

So What Should You Do?

First, realize that your appointment with your specialist is much more than just time blocked on both your schedules. It’s a chance to take your life back. If you have peripheral neuropathy, your body is at war and this is your chance to win.

You want to be prepared so you can take advantage of every minute and get started with an effective treatment program ASAP.

To do that, you need to[2]

Write your symptoms down, even if you don’t think they have anything to do with your peripheral neuropathy. Making a list will ensure that you don’t forget anything.
Make a list of every medication you take. That includes vitamins, herbal supplements and anything over the counter. Those liquid glucosamine drinks you may be taking to alleviate joint pain count as a medication.
Line up someone to go with you, either a family member or a friend. You’ll want someone there to write down what the doctor tells you. There’s no way you’ll remember it all.
Write down any questions you want to ask. There is no such thing as a stupid question so ask about anything you’re not sure about.

Here are a few samples:

What causes peripheral neuropathy?
Does everyone have the same symptoms or are mine different?
What else could be causing my symptoms?
Are there any tests I need?
What are my chances of a full recovery?
Will the treatment you’re prescribing have any side effects?
What are my treatment options?
Do you have any reading material I can take home to learn more about peripheral neuropathy?

These are just suggestions so don’t limit yourself to these questions. Again, write down anything you’re not sure about.

Be Ready to Help Your Doctor

Depending on your symptoms, your underlying medical conditions and any other issues that are specific to you and your peripheral neuropathy, your doctor will ask you quite a few questions.

To make the most efficient use of your time with him, do what you can to help him. Think about the answers to these basic questions before your appointment:

Do you have any underlying medical conditions (like the ones we listed above?)
When did you first notice your symptoms?
How often do you experience your symptoms? Do you have problems at specific times of the day or after any specific activity?
On a scale of 1 to 10, (1 being mild and 10 being severe), how would you rate your symptoms?
Have you noticed anything that makes your symptoms better or worse?

Just thinking about these questions ahead of time and actually putting together answers will make your time with your NeuropathyDR® clinician or other specialist more efficient and productive. You’ll both be much happier with the result if you know what to expect.

And don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for suggestions to help you manage your peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Your NeuropathyDR® clinician specializes in treating the whole patient, including recommending lifestyle changes, preparing diet plans, whatever it takes to make your treatment plan effective for you.

We hope this gives you a head start on taking charge of your peripheral neuropathy and making sure that you and your medical professional get the most out of your time together.

For more information on treating and recovering from peripheral neuropathy, get our Free E-Book and subscription to the Weekly Ezine “Beating Neuropathy” at http://neuropathydr.com.

[1] http://peripheralneuropathycenter.uchicago.edu/faq/

[2] http://www.neuropathy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Living_Ten_Questions

Has An Internal War Caused Your Peripheral Neuropathy?

Diabetes…

Compressed nerves…

Heredity…

Chemotherapy…

Any number of things can cause peripheral neuropathy.

One of the lesser known causes can be an assault on your nerves by the very immune cells designed to protect your body from foreign infection. Once the nerves are attacked by these so-called “good” cells, they either fail to respond or respond so weakly that they are totally ineffective.

This failed or pitifully weak response[1] leads to

• Numbness

• Tingling

• Pain, especially in the feet and hands

• Muscle weakness

• Loss of reflexes

• Fatigue

• Difficulty walking

• Fainting spells

All caused by a particular type of immune related peripheral neuropathy called Chronic Inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy or “CIDP”.

What is CIDP?

Closely related to Guillain-Barré Syndrome, CIDP is what is known as an acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves. Basically, that means that the immune system has malfunctioned, attacked the nerves and damaged the protective covering that normally shields the nerves and insulates them.

Once that protective covering has been compromised, the peripheral nervous system breaks down and the damage becomes CIPD. Chances of relapse and progression of your peripheral neuropathy with CIPD are very high so it’s vital that you seek treatment immediately if you have any of the above symptoms, especially if you also have

• AIDS

• Herpes simplex

• Mononucleosis

Any of those illnesses[2] compromise your immune system and increase the chances that your symptoms are CIPD related.

How Is CIPD Diagnosed?

Because your neuropathy symptoms with CIPD progress rapidly and can come and go, there is a possibility that you may see your doctor on a “good” day. Don’t let the good days fool you. As your CIPD progresses you may even develop bowel and bladder control issues if the autonomic nervous system is affected. Monitor the pattern and progression of your symptoms and make an appointment to see your doctor.

To diagnose CIPD, your doctor needs to perform a complete clinical neurological examination; however, most experts agree that you must have symptoms for at least 8 weeks before an accurate diagnosis can be made. Once you’ve had symptoms for that period of time, your doctor will do a series of tests including:

• Electrodiagnostics – including electrymyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS)

• Blood serum tests to rule out other autoimmune diseases

• Nerve biopsy – only if they cannot get a clear diagnosis with the EMG and blood serum tests and can’t rule out other possible causes for your neuropathy, such as heredity or as a side effect of some other illness.

What Can You Expect From Treatment?

While CIDP is not curable, it can be treated and you can get some relief from the symptoms. The normal course of treatment is corticosteroids, plasma exchange and/or intravenous immunoglobulin.

A highly skilled medical professional well versed in diagnosing and treating nerve damage is your best place to start for treatment of your CIDP. An excellent place to start is with a NeuropathyDr® clinician. They have had great success in treating patients with hereditary neuropathy in all its various forms.

In addition to drug therapies, there are steps you can take to repair your immune system and get those good cells working like they should again.

First – correct any dietary deficiencies you may have.

Second – start an exercise program to rebuild your muscles. You may not be able to do much at first but just walking every day will help. Once you become accustomed to walking, move up to a good low impact activity like yoga or swimming.

Third – talk to your doctor about nerve stimulation therapy to help your nerves repair themselves from the onslaught of your immune system. A good place to start is with the Rebuilder® protocol.

If you think you may have CIPD in any of its forms (i.e., Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis, Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, etc.), seek treatment now. While you can’t be cured, you can take steps to treat and lessen your symptoms and greatly improve your quality of life. Contact us today for information on how your CIPD can be treated, your suffering lessened and exactly how to find a NeuropathyDR® in your area.

[1] http://www.neuropathy.org/site/DocServer/Immune-RoyFreemanMD.pdf?docID=1067

[2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001704/

Autonomic Neuropathy – Silent and Serious

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar?

∙ Dizziness and fainting when you stand up

∙ Difficulty digesting food and feeling really full when you’ve barely eaten anything

∙ Abnormal perspiration – either sweating excessively or barely at all

∙ Intolerance for exercise – no, not that you just hate it but your heart rate doesn’t adjust as it should

∙ Slow pupil reaction so that your eyes don’t adjust quickly to changes in light

∙ Urinary problems like difficulty starting or inability to completely empty your bladder

If they do, you could have autonomic neuropathy. Especially if you have diabetes, your immune system is compromised by chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, lupus, Guillian-Barre or any other chronic medical condition.

You need to see a doctor immediately. A good place to start would be a physician well versed in diagnosing and treating nerve disease and damage, like your local NeuropathyDR® clinician.

What Is Autonomic Neuropathy?

Autonomic neuropathy in itself is not a disease[1]. It’s a type of peripheral neuropathy that affects the nerves that control involuntary body functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and perspiration. The nerves are damaged and don’t function properly leading to a break down of the signals between the brain and the parts of the body affected by the autonomic nervous system like the heart, blood vessels, digestive system and sweat glands.

That can lead to your body being unable to regulate your heart rate or your blood pressure, an inability to properly digest your food, urinary problems, even being unable to sweat in order to cool your body down when you exercise.

Often, autonomic neuropathy is caused by other diseases or medical conditions so if you suffer from

∙ Diabetes

∙ Alcoholism

∙ Cancer

∙ Systemic lupus

∙ Parkinson’s disease

∙ HIV/AIDS

Or any number of other chronic illnesses, you stand a much higher risk of developing autonomic neuropathy.[2] Your best course of action is not to wait until you develop symptoms. Begin a course of preventative treatment and monitoring with a NeuropathyDR® clinician to lessen your chances of developing autonomic neuropathy.

How Will My NeuropathyDR® Diagnose My Autonomic Neuropathy?

If you have diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDs or any of the other diseases or chronic conditions that can cause autonomic neuropathy, it’s much easier to diagnose autonomic neuropathy. After all, as a specialist in nerve damage and treatment, your NeuropathyDR® is very familiar with your symptoms and the best course of treatment.

If you have symptoms of autonomic neuropathy and don’t have any of the underlying conditions, your diagnosis will be a little tougher but not impossible.

Either way, your NeuropathyDR® clinician will take a very thorough history and physical. Make sure you have a list of all your symptoms, when they began, how severe they are, what helps your symptoms or makes them worse, and any and all medications your currently take (including over the counter medications, herbal supplements or vitamins).

Be honest with your NeuropathyDR® clinician about your diet, alcohol intake, frequency of exercise, history of drug use and smoking. If you don’t tell the truth, you’re not giving your NeuropathyDR® clinician a clear picture of your physical condition. That’s like asking him to drive you from Montreal to Mexico City without a map or a GPS. You may eventually get to where you want to be, but it’s highly unlikely.

Once your history and physical are completed, your NeuropathyDR® clinician will order some tests. Depending upon your actual symptoms and which systems seem to be affected, these tests might include:

∙ Ultrasound

∙ Urinalysis and bladder function tests

∙ Thermoregulatory and/or QSART sweat tests

∙ Gastrointestinal tests

∙ Breathing tests

∙ Tilt-table tests (to test your heart rate and blood pressure regulation)

Once your tests are completed and your NeuropathyDR® clinician determines you have autonomic neuropathy, it’s time for treatment.

Treatment and Prognosis

NeuropathyDR® clinicians are well versed in treating all types of peripheral neuropathy, including autonomic neuropathy. They adhere to a very specialized treatment protocol that was developed specifically for patients suffering from neuropathy. That’s why their treatments have been so successful – neuropathy in all its forms is what they do.

Autonomic neuropathy is a chronic condition but it can be treated and you can do things to help relieve your symptoms.

Your NeuropathyDR® clinician will work with you and your other physicians to treat your neuropathy and manage your underlying condition. They do this through:

∙ Diet Planning and Nutritional Support

You need to give your body the nutrition it needs to heal.

If you have gastrointestinal issues caused by autonomic neuropathy, you need to make sure you’re getting enough fiber and fluids to help your body function properly.

If you have diabetes, you need to follow a diet specifically designed for diabetics and to control your blood sugar.

If your autonomic neuropathy affects your urinary system, you need to retrain your bladder. You can do this by following a schedule of when to drink and when to empty your bladder to slowly increase your bladder’s capacity.

∙ Individually Designed Exercise Programs

If you experience exercise intolerance or blood pressure problems resulting from autonomic neuropathy, you have to be every careful with your exercise program. Make sure that you don’t overexert yourself, take it slowly. Your NeuropathyDR® clinician can design an exercise program specifically for you that will allow you to exercise but won’t push you beyond what your body is capable of. And, even more importantly, they will continually monitor your progress and adjust your program as needed.

∙ Lifestyle Modifications

If your autonomic neuropathy causes dizziness when you stand up, then do it slowly and in stages. Flex your feet or grip your hands several times before you attempt to stand to increase the flow of blood to your hands and feet. Try just sitting on the side of your bed in the morning for a few minutes before you try to stand.

Change the amount and frequency of your meals if you have digestive problems.

Don’t try to do everything all at once. Decide what really needs to be done each day and do what you can. Autonomic neuropathy is a chronic disorder and living with any chronic condition requires adaptations. Your NeuropathyDR® clinician knows this all too well and will work with you to manage your level of stress and change your daily routines to help you manage your condition and your life.

All of these changes in conjunction with medications, where needed, will make it easier to live with autonomic neuropathy and lessen the chances of serious complications. Early intervention with a NeuropathyDR® clinician is still the best policy if you have any of the underlying conditions that can cause autonomic neuropathy. But if you already have symptoms, start treatment immediately.

For more information on coping with autonomic neuropathy, get your Free E-Book and subscription to the Weekly Ezine “Beating Neuropathy” at http://neuropathydr.com.

[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001780/

[2] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/autonomic-neuropathy/

Pain Management Options for the Peripheral Neuropathy Patient

If you’re a patient suffering from peripheral neuropathy as a result of

· Diabetes

· Post-chemotherapy

· Shingles

· Guillian Barre Syndrome

· HIV

· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

· Or any other peripheral neuropathic pain

One of your greatest challenges (other than dealing with the pain and disruption of your normal daily activities) may be finding a medical professional to treat you with empathy and a real understanding of what you’re dealing with as a peripheral neuropathy sufferer.

Neuropathy pain can be hard to describe and even harder to measure. You can’t put a number on it and you can’t always give a concrete definition or explanation for your symptoms. That makes it difficult for the medical community, a community of science, to effectively treat you as a neuropathy patient.

The difficulty in finding a doctor well versed in treating peripheral neuropathy, in all its various forms, can make your life an exercise in frustration. Not only are you dealing with your peripheral neuropathy pain but you can’t find anyone to treat you with any success.

It might help to know what your treatment options are so you can interview your potential treater with some background knowledge about the pain management options available to you as a neuropathy patient.

Here are some of the options for pain management in peripheral neuropathy patients:

Medication[1]

The first line of therapy for peripheral neuropathy patients is usually pain medication, sometimes in combination with antidepressants. There has been some success with drugs used to treat epilepsy as well as opioids. Opioids may be effective but the dosages are very high and only help specific patients.

Always ask your treating physician about side effects from any medication prescribed. Many of the drugs used to treat neuropathy pain can have serious side effects and you need to take that into consideration before you use them.

Topical Treatments

Patches or creams can be help if you have small areas affected by your neuropathy. There may be some burning or pain at the application site (especially if the cream contains Capsaicin) but after 3 or 4 applications, this usually goes away. However, if you stop using the cream, you’ll experience the same pain when you start using the cream again.

Topical treatments usually don’t provide long lasting relief so talk to your doctor about a more permanent therapy if that doesn’t interest you.

Physical Therapy

Study after study has shown that active people heal faster. Period. By exercising your muscles, you will more easily adapt to your other physical limitations such as balance or gait issues.

Another benefit of physical therapy is that by keeping your muscles active and loose, you are less likely to suffer from muscle spasms, a common symptom in neuropathy patients.

But be prepared. When you first begin a course of physical therapy to treat your neuropathy pain, you will probably experience a little more pain than usual. You probably haven’t used those muscles in a while and they’re adapting to the treatment. If you need a boost in your pain medication until the muscle pain subsides, ask for it.

Psychotherapy[2]

Chronic pain or chronic illness leads to depression in many neuropathy patients. Treating the psychological aspects of your peripheral neuropathy pain is just as important as treating the physical symptoms. Any successful pain management therapy should include psychological counseling. Ask your doctor for a referral to a good therapist to talk about the emotional and psychological aspects of your neuropathy. You’re not overreacting to your pain and you’re not imagining it.

Alternative Therapies

A good body/mind therapy regimen can be really helpful in dealing with your peripheral neuropathy. Consider yoga, acupuncture, relaxation techniques, hypnosis, or any other meditation technique as a complement to your pain management program. Any of these alternative therapies can increase the production of endorphins in your brain and help the body manage your pain in unison with any other medical treatment.

Nerve Stimulation

The expansion of the gap between the nerves is a primary cause of neuropathy pain. Applying small amounts of electrical stimulation to the nerves has been successful in repairing them and aiding them in functioning normally again. The electrical current causes the nerve to expand and contract. Think of it as a “bicep flex” for your nerve endings. This stimulates the nerve to become active again and helps to bridge the gap between the nerve endings.

Ask your doctor about the ReBuilder™ treatment protocol or ask him to refer you to a NeuropathyDR™ clinician in your area. A NeuropathyDR™ is a specialist in using the ReBuilder™ treatment protocol to assist your nerves in repairing themselves and mending the gap between your nerves to allow them to function properly.

For more information on coping with your peripheral neuropathy, get your Free E-Book and subscription to the Weekly Ezine “Beating Neuropathy” at http://neuropathydr.com.

[1][1][1][1] See www.touchneurology.com/articles/treatment-options-neuropathy-patients

[2] See http://www.supportiveoncology.net/journal/articles/0102107.pdf

Neuropathy and Nutrition

If you suffer from peripheral neuropathy brought on by any of these medical issues:

· Diabetes

· Post-chemotherapy

· Shingles

· Guillian Barre Syndrome

· Lyme Disease

Or any one of a multitude of other health problems and your over-the-counter or even prescribed medication isn’t helping, you may be overlooking a very important link in the management of your neuropathy and your neuropathy pain. You may be missing a key element in your peripheral neuropathy treatment plan.

Look at what you’re feeding your body.

Many of the side effects from peripheral neuropathy you’re experiencing can be brought under control or possibly eliminated by following a good nutrition plan.

What Exactly Is “Good Nutrition”?

We hear so much today about the value of a good diet yet few people actually think about what they feed their bodies on a daily basis and what that food does to them.

A good way of thinking about it is “garbage in, garbage out”. It’s like putting a really cheap grade of gas into a Formula One race car. It may fuel the car, for maybe 100 feet from the starting line, but after that, the engine will sputter, stall and eventually just stop. It certainly won’t run at peak performance.

The same thing happens over time when we put bad food into our bodies. People who suffer from peripheral neuropathy are even more susceptible to the effects of poor nutrition.

Good nutrition involves putting the right mix of nutrients in the right amounts into your body. The right mix of protein, good fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals (and staying properly hydrated) all comprise a good diet. Even if you’re eating enough during the day, if you’re not getting the right mix of the ingredients that your body needs to function, you could be suffering from malnutrition.

Malnutrition leads to a host of medical problems and sometimes serious diseases, including diabetes. If you already suffer from peripheral neuropathy, you’re just making the problem worse by not giving your body the basic building blocks it needs to repair itself.

All the medications in every big pharmaceutical lab on the planet won’t fix your body if you don’t give it what it needs to fix itself.

The Link Between Nutrition and Neuropathy Treatment

Food is fuel. It’s what the body needs to function properly and support us in our daily lives. If you’re eating a healthy diet and giving the body what it needs to support you and take care of itself, it can not only lessen the effects of your neuropathy, it can even help you avoid other complications.

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last 20 or 30 years, you know the benefits of a healthy diet. Significant medical evidence has shown that, especially in the elderly and diabetics (two populations with a high incidence of neuropathy), a healthy diet can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, even certain types of cancer.

If you already suffer from neuropathy and you develop any of these other complications, your condition will be even more serious than for someone who doesn’t suffer from neuropathy.

For example, you already know that neuropathy can affect your sense of touch.

A further complication of that loss of sensation is that it can make it more likely that you will fall and possibly suffer broken bones. If your body doesn’t have the materials available internally to help mend those bones, your healing process can be severely compromised.

Even if your neuropathy is being treated with NeuropathyDR™ systems or other medical intervention, you still need a healthy diet to give your body and your mind what it needs to heal itself. It will help you keep your energy level high for your therapy sessions, keep your mind sharp to follow the doctor’s instructions and may even eliminate the need for medications with serious side effects.

NeuropathyDR™ Clinicians are up to date on the best diets for your particular case. Keep in mind that we’ll also typically recommend oral and sometimes topical nutrition supplements and dietary programs.

Does What You Eat Really Affect Your Neuropathy?

In a word, yes. If you want to be healthy and control or even stop disease, you have to eat a healthy diet. You can’t continue to put junk into your body and not expect the body to deteriorate. Especially if you already suffer from any of the health problems that lead to neuropathy.

One of the main components in diabetic neuropathy is metabolic syndrome. And that’s brought on by high blood sugar levels, high fat levels in the blood, and low insulin. If you’re not putting foods into your body that create those problems, you’ve already won half the battle.

Even beyond the blood sugar issues faced by diabetics, other neuropathy sufferers can be affected by diet as well. If you suffer from neuropathy, regardless of whether or not you have diabetes, here are some other problems you may be facing due to your diet:

Vitamin deficiencies – One of the most common is the lack of B-12. Even if you ‘re taking a supplement, your body may not be absorbing it properly and that can cause anemia and/or nervous system disorders. Talk to your NeuropathyDR™ Clinician about testing and what you can do to make sure you’re getting the right vitamins and minerals in the right amounts.

Alcohol abuse – In addition to what excessive use of alcohol does to the liver and kidneys, it can also lead to nutritional deficiencies because your body doesn’t properly absorb what you put into it. If you suffer from any form of neuropathy, your best course of action is to lay off alcohol.

Cancer – Studies have found a direct relation between certain types of cancer and poor diet and lack of antioxidants. Also, if you smoke, stop now. Cancer is one of the leading risks of smoking and other unhealthy habits but if you have neuropathy and you smoke, you’re a ticking time bomb.

Above all else, the best way to help your body fight your neuropathy symptoms is to give it the tools it needs to do it. Talk to your local NeuropathyDR™ Clinician about what you can do, in addition to their treatment, to feed your body well and give yourself everything you need to repair your body and fight your neuropathy symptoms.

Subscribe to our Weekly Ezine at “Beating Neuropathy” at http://neuropathydr.com to get your life back.

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