The Fallacy Of Neuropathy Cures

Today's post from chronicleonline.com (see link below) is written by a doctor who is as clearly irritated as this blog is, by claims that neuropathy can be cured thanks to one expensive treatment or another. He makes it quite clear that although certain treatments may reduce the effects of the symptoms, neuropathy can not be cured and as of March 2015 (date of this article) that remains the only truth that you can be certain of. Please don't buy into lurid advertisements that claim to be able to 'cure' your neuropathic condition - they can't and the best they may be able to offer is a reduction in the severity of your symptoms.

Confusion regarding neuropathy ‘cures’
By Dr. David Raynor Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Peripheral polyneuropathy is a condition that adversely affects nerves in the peripheral nervous system, which are all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Podiatrists often see patients with peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities.

The peripheral nervous system has two components. The sensory nerves transmit impulses from sensory receptors to the brain for processing. The motor nerves take impulses from the brain to create an action. Simply stated, sensory nerves are used to feel and motor nerves are used for movement. Peripheral neuropathy can affect motor nerves, but changes are mainly recognized by patients in the sensory nerves because they can feel that their sensation has changed and something “doesn’t feel right.” Patients may not readily notice weakness due to motor-nerve affects, as they may compensate to overcome slight deficits.

Sensory neuropathy symptoms can include exaggeration or diminished sensation of any type due to nerve damage. Common complaints are degrees of numbness or loss of sensation, burning, itching, stiffness and tightness. Pain from neuropathy can be annoying, severe or even debilitating in advanced cases. No one knows exactly what causes neuropathy, but diabetes is the most commonly associated cause, though many other causes exist.

Treating neuropathy symptoms can be difficult, as there is no cure. Unless the causative agent responsible for the neuropathy is cured, you cannot cure neuropathy. Neuropathy can be managed in certain cases, but not cured — regardless of claims made otherwise. Pain and annoying sensation from neuropathy can be managed in many cases with pharmaceutical agents, but no treatment exists to restore “lost” sensation. Pharmaceuticals do not cure or restore sensation, either. Oral or topical methods can effectively be used to reduce neuropathy symptoms to improve quality of life, but these need to be maintained and can have side-effects. Reduction to exposure damaging the nerves may temporarily improve symptoms, such as reeling in uncontrolled diabetes, but in truth the damage is done and symptoms will invariably return.

Neuropathy is unpleasant at minimum and can be debilitating in severe cases. Claims are made regarding surgery, therapy and medicinal options to cure or restore nerves. I know of no cure for neuropathy. Medicinal treatments to reduce symptoms from sensory peripheral polyneuropathy are the most potent or advanced treatments I know of to date.

David B. Raynor. DPM, is a podiatrist in Inverness and can be reached at 352-726-3668 or at www.AdvancedAnkleAndFootCenters.com with questions or suggestions for future columns.

http://www.chronicleonline.com/content/confusion-regarding-neuropathy-%E2%80%98cures%E2%80%99