The Main Message Of Neuropathy Awareness Week 2018

Today's post from bluejayblog.wordpress.com (see link below) is a personal post from someone who is encouraging people with early symptoms of neuropathy to contact their doctor as soon as possible, both to establish a diagnosis and to begin learning to live with the condition. This blog fully endorses this sentiment. Although there is no current cure for nerve damage, there are ways to make life a little easier as the disease progresses. Neuropathy may sound like one disease but in fact there are over 100 different sorts of nerve damage and equally as many causes. Further than that, it is unique to each individual, although many of the symptoms are shared with most other patients, so the quicker you can build up a constructive relationship with your doctor, the more chance that you will be able to help yourself with medications, supplements and therapies.

Neuropathy Awareness 
Posted on May 6, 2018 by swabby429

It began with a cramping pain involving two toes of my left foot in the middle of the night. I rubbed and massaged them and didn’t think much about the pain because charlie horses happen from time to time. After the pain subsided, I dropped back off to sleep.

Two days later (tax day last month), there was tingling and the sensation of cold in the toes of both feet. This was something new and somewhat frightening. At first, I attributed the onset of these strange sensations to the memory-foam arch supports in my new sneakers. So, I stopped wearing the shoes and slipped into my favorite, regular pair of oxfords. There was no change after a couple of days.

It was time to consult the Internet about these tingly, cold sensations. They fit the description of something called “peripheral neuropathy”. Both “Web MD” and the Mayo Clinic site recommended a visit to a doctor ASAP. So that’s what I did.

His diagnosis agreed with the Internet findings. As far as the causes are concerned, his clinic is analyzing blood and urine samples. I’m still waiting for the final results.

In the meantime, the doctor recommended daily walking and stretching exercising for the feet and lower legs. He also said to avoid wearing the pair of sneakers that seemed to trigger the onset of the neuropathy. So, that’s what I’m doing each day.

The doctor explained that my neuropathy could have been caused as a result of an injury, infection, a toxin, a metabolic imbalance, diabetes, or a combination of any of these things.

Of course, I was curious about the condition because I’d never heard of it until last month. I discovered a virtual subculture of experts, therapists, and woo-doctors who provide advise and instruction in treating peripheral neuropathy. There are a few physical therapists offering YouTube video instruction on stretches and light exercises to help ease the uncomfortable symptoms. The exercises are helping.

The main advise all of the experts and my physician give is to take walks of at least 20-minutes each day. Walking is accessible and free. Best of all, walking is a pleasurable activity. There is a new walking/biking trail near my home that I can use to my advantage.

Normally, I don’t like to talk or write about my personal aches and pains and illnesses, but today’s post is an exception. This week is National Neuropathy Awareness Week. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy urges public education about this serious medical condition because most non-sufferers have never even heard of it. Plus, much more research is needed to find a cure and to develop new treatments.

While there is no known legitimate cure for peripheral neuropathy, early diagnosis and medical treatment are important in order to help prevent further nerve damage and other complications.

I also discovered that more than 20,000,000 Americans and many more worldwide, report symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. So this widespread, unsolved condition needs more research and treatment options. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy be sure to consult an M.D. and look into lifestyle changes.

Ciao
The Blue Jay of Happiness ponders a line by George Orwell. “Of pain you could wish only one thing: that it should stop. Nothing in the world was so bad as physical pain. In the face of pain there are no heroes.”

https://bluejayblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/06/neuropathy-awareness/