Neuropathy

Over 20 million Americans have neuropathy or permanent nerve damage. At his practice in Dallas and Grapevine, Texas, double board-certified pain management specialist Mohammed Shaikh, MD, and his team offer neuropathy treatments, including medication management and neuromodulation. Call today to request a neuropathy consultation or book your appointment online.

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy, or peripheral neuropathy, causes damage to the nerves outside of your brain and spinal cord. Your peripheral nerves send information to and from your brain. If they don’t work properly, it increases your risk of serious health problems.

There’s no way to reverse the damage caused by neuropathy, but expert treatment can reduce pain and keep the problem from worsening.

What are the symptoms of neuropathy?

Neuropathy symptoms include:

• Uncontrolled muscle movements (spasms)
• Muscle atrophy
• Muscle weakness and paralysis
• Pain
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Imbalance
• Clumsiness
• Sexual dysfunction
• Blood pressure changes
• Excessive sweating

As the condition progresses, you may experience other symptoms, such as blurred vision, skin color changes, or swelling.

What causes neuropathy?

Neuropathy happens for various reasons, including:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Alcohol use disorder
• Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies
• Tumors
• Genetic conditions
• Infections
• Trauma and surgery

Sometimes, neuropathy happens after exposure to certain toxins. For example, working around heavy metals or industrial chemicals makes you more likely to develop neuropathy.

How is neuropathy diagnosed?

Dr. Shaikh reviews your medical records and asks about your lifestyle, including if you have Type 2 diabetes, what you eat, and how often you exercise. 

Next, he completes a physical and neurological exam, checking for muscle weakness, testing your reflexes, and assessing your ability to feel sensations.

Last, Dr. Shaikh orders several tests, including bloodwork and electromyography (EMG). Blood testing can identify underlying health problems, while an EMG assesses the health of your muscles and the nerves that control them.

How is neuropathy treated?

Dr. Shaikh treats neuropathy using a conservative and integrative approach. Often, treatment includes a combination of medication management and neuromodulation. 

Medication management uses prescription drugs to prevent nerve damage from worsening, while neuromodulation uses low levels of electricity to relieve pain. 

Dr. Shaikh and his team offer several types of neuromodulation, including the spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and dorsal root ganglion stimulation.

Can I prevent neuropathy from getting worse?

Yes. There are things you can do to prevent neuropathy from getting worse. Dr. Shaikh and his team recommend eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding alcohol in excess. Healthy lifestyle changes can make all the difference and help you feel your best. 

Call the office near you today to receive treatment for neuropathy, or make an appointment online.