About this topic
Your nerves carry information to and from the brain. They also carry signals to and from the spinal cord. You have many nerves outside of your spinal cord. They are all a part of your peripheral nervous system. They work with your brain and spinal cord. All of these parts give your body information about senses, moving, and the environment. Damage to any of the nerves outside of your brain or spinal cord is peripheral neuropathy. What you feel and where it is will depend on what nerves are affected. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Wear braces or splints to keep pressure off the nerves if you doctor suggests you wear them.
- Use a cane, walker, or a wheelchair to help you get around safely if you are having balance problems or trouble walking.
- Wear compression sleeves or stockings if your doctor suggests you wear them.
- Do daily checks on your skin on any parts that have less feeling in them.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Your doctor may send you to a physical therapist (PT) for care to lessen your pain and to learn exercises. Your doctor may send you to some other doctor, called a neurologist, who specializes in nerve problems. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Control blood sugar
- Help with pain
- Suppress the immune system
- Help with eating, bathroom, or sex problems
Will physical activity be limited?
Physical activities may be limited due to problems from the peripheral neuropathy. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Long-term pain or nerve damage
- Sores on the feet if you have high blood sugar
- Loss of balance, trouble walking, and a higher risk of falling
- Damage in the peripheral nerves affects the functions that control your blood flow and heartbeat
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Control high blood sugar.
- Limit alcohol use.
- If you are a smoker, quit. Smoking lessens the blood supply to peripheral nerves.
- If you have a vitamin deficiency, talk to your doctor to see if you need to add any vitamins to your diet.
- Keep a healthy weight. If you are overweight, lose weight.
- Avoid toxic chemicals, pesticides, and other toxins.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, or a wound that will not heal.
- New sores or signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the wound.
- Numbness on the foot or legs
- Blood sugar is lower or higher than normal
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help me stay safe when moving about.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have numbness in my feet or legs, trouble breathing, chest pain, or feel dizzy.
Where can I learn more?
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/246/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚