Peripheral Neuropathy is caused by damage to nerves in the body and is a common disease for many older adults. Nerve damage caused by diabetes is one of the most common forms of neuropathy. Symptoms depend on the damage; whether the damage affects one nerve, several nerves or the whole body.
The most common symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy include:
- Tingling and/or numbness in the hands, legs or feet
- Sharp, stabbing pain
- A weak, heavy feeling in the arms and legs, which sometimes may feel like one’s legs or arms have locked in place
- Dropping things from one’s hands on a regular basis
- A buzzing or shocking sensation in hands, legs or feet
- A drop-in blood pressure
Peripheral Neuropathy is often diagnosed when individuals have been experiencing difficulty walking because of numbness, pain or loss of sensation in their lower legs. Individuals can’t feel their legs when walking so they begin to limit their mobility. This lack of mobiity leads to more weakness and fatigue, and the vicious, downward trend continues until the individual is barely walking and falling on a regular basis. This often leads to a sense of hopelessness.
A Proven Solution
Those with Peripheral Neuropathy can participate in their chosen activities and experience a good life in spite of their diagnosis. Most definitely, the symptoms are annoying, but people can learn to walk and participate in sports in spite of numbness and lack of sensation in their legs. Thinking one needs to have full feeling in their lower legs to be able to walk and be steady on one’s feet in a misconception. The KEY to overcoming the perceived limitations of Peripheral Neuropathy lies in increasing leg and core strength and individuals believing that they can trust their legs while performing high balance activities. The stronger the legs, the better individuals will function and less apt to fall. Not convinced? Consider individuals who have lost their legs but with the help of prostheses, they walk. They can’t feel their legs and often have phantom pain but they are walking and even running marathons!
Contact us today if you have been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy. Together, we can have you enjoying your activities and living life your way!