Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a pain or numbness in one or several nerves.  When the peripheral nerves are damaged, information cannot be sent to its proper location and creates the symptoms.  This can be caused by diabetes, previous injury, other disorders and even smoking, alcohol and improper diet.  It frequently goes unnoticed, because it first presents as a tingling or numbness in one or more extremities. 

Sometimes the pain can be hard to diagnose, and if the patient does not have diabetes, the exact cause of the pain may never be discovered.  If the cause is unknown, supportive care for the pain is the treatment.  Tests may be done to rule out other disorders, such as a vitamin deficiency, which can just be corrected with a change in diet.  Supportive care can include, but is not limited to: medication, physician directed physical therapies and acupuncture.