Exercise, diet, mobility, and other life issues that have nothing to do with medications or finding competent medical care
How do you apply for disability benefits? In the U.S., there are two programs that can provide financial aid in case of a disability like peripheral neuropathy: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) SSDI pays benefits to you and certain family members if you worked and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings
Disability Benefits Read More »
Why is exercise important? Exercise has been shown to be a very effective way to prevent progressive degeneration of peripheral nerves In some cases, exercise has even improved the functioning of the peripheral nerves and been shown to increase nerve conduction velocity So far, exercise is the only scientifically proven way to reduce neuropathic pain
What does pain management involve? Pain is created by the brain to protect us from harm. It usually is a reaction to some signal (physical or social) that something is dangerous. When PN starts it may, eventually, send sensory signals that seem unusual or dangerous (such as the lack of sensation we call numbness) and
Why is it important to eat the right way? Inflammation is part of the body’s defense mechanism against harmful substances, for instance it’s what happens when an injury causes swelling Chronic inflammation, however, is when the body stays in a state of heightened alert and overdrive, potentially causing and worsening chronic illnesses like peripheral neuropathy
Why are supplements important? If you take supplements, take them seriously. These are not risk-free products. See this post. It is important to maintain nerve health to prevent further nerve damage and degeneration Having optimal levels of nutrients like B12, B1, Magnesium, etc. can even sometimes help patients with pain by improving nerve health Note
Why are mobility aids important? Our Members Suggest Stories Read personal stories about people’s experiences with mobility aids for PN. Podcasts Here are some useful podcasts we have come across.
How do the right shoes help? Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy tend to affect the feet Especially with length-dependent peripheral neuropathy, symptoms start with the feet and can often cause pain and burning, which makes walking painful The right shoes can allow you to walk with significantly less pain, whether it’s shoes you wear outside or
What is it? Chronic and excessive alcohol use over a long period of time can lead to nerve damage that can worsen if alcohol use continues If it is caught and alcohol consumption is stopped early, it is possible to minimize the permanent damage alcoholic neuropathy can cause Alcohol can impede the absorption of nutrients
Alcoholic Neuropathy Read More »
What is it? Peripheral nerve damage can often be a side effect of certain types of chemotherapy Symptoms tend to be at their worst 3-5 months after treatment, but can start to reduce as more time passes If nerve health is maintained, symptoms could completely go away Peripheral neuropathy might also be caused by the
What is Lyme disease neuropathy? The tick-borne bacteria that causes Lyme disease can also affect the peripheral nervous system The longer that the Lyme disease infection lasts, the higher the chances of developing peripheral neuropathy Lyme disease-related peripheral neuropathy can often be treatable if caused early — with treatment of the disease and maintenance of
