Neuropathic Pain from Peripheral Nerve Injury

Neuropathic pain is a complex, chronic pain state that usually is accompanied by tissue injury. With nerve pain, the nerve fibers themselves may be damaged, dysfunctional, or injured. These damaged nerve fibers send incorrect signals to other pain centers. The impact of nerve fiber injury includes a change in nerve function both at the site of injury and areas around the injury. One example of neuropathic pain is called phantom limb syndrome. This rare condition occurs when an arm or a leg has been removed because of illness or injury, but the brain still gets pain messages from the nerves…
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Chronic Pelvic Pain: Diagnosis & Treatment

While chronic pelvic pain is prevalent in women, it is often under diagnosed and inadequately treated. The differential diagnosis and the role of pelvic floor physical therapy are key factors in the successful treatment of the many types of chronic pelvic pain. Q: Is zero pain an achievable goal in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain?  Dr. Fitzgerald: Women should be extremely hopeful that with a multi-disciplinary approach, we can significantly reduce their pain and improve functioning. In fact, functional measures might be a better way to increase our success in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain. I tell patients…
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Natural Treatments for Peripheral Neuropathy

Natural Treatments can help Peripheral Neuropathy Millions of Americans suffer from the painful affects of peripheral neuropathy pain. Peripheral neuropathy, a result of damage to your peripheral nerves, often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in your hands and feet. It can also affect other areas of your body. Peripheral neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes is diabetes mellitus, or Adult Onset Type II Diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition which describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and…
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Surgical Decompression For Compression Neuropathy Offers Many Advantages

Surgical decompression can offer long-lasting pain relief and restore sensation in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy, leading to an improved quality of life. That was the word from Stephen L. Barrett, DPM, an adjunct professor at Midwestern University College of Health Sciences, Podiatric Medicine Program and founder of Barrett Foot & Ankle in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Barrett said that surgical decompression has been shown to restore sensation; reduce pain; prevent amputation and ulceration; improve balance and prevent falls; decrease global healthcare costs; and perhaps most importantly, improve the quality of life for diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy. 1 “Zhang, Li,…
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Prediabetes in Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy may be more common in patients with prediabetes than previously thought, and early interventions may be warranted in this patient population, according to researchers from the University of Utah. Currently, 86 million adults, more than one in three U.S. adults, have prediabetes, according to CDC estimates. Without weight loss and moderate physical activity, 15% to 30% of these people will develop full-blown type 2 diabetes within 5 years.1 These numbers emphasize the urgent need to treat and prevent the subsequent complications, including neuropathy, associated with prediabetes. Fortunately, researchers are on their way to learning more about the relationship…
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The Four Types of Diabetic Neuropathy

Most of us associate peripheral neuropathy with diabetes. What might be a surprise is that there are three other forms of neuropathy that are also common to diabetics. Diabetic neuropathy is the result of prolonged periods of excess glucose in the blood damaging fragile nerve fibers. Hyperglycemia also damages the walls of the many blood vessels in the body, including the capillaries that provide the blood supply that supports the nervous system. Finally, high glucose levels interfere with the ability of the nerves to send signals. Taken together, this triad of damage causes first numbness, then extreme pain, in the…
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Peripheral Arterial Disease can cause Leg Pain

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September marks peripheral arterial disease (PAD) awareness month. A staggering 18 million Americans1 suffer from this potentially life threatening disease which is greater than the number of Americans suffering from stroke (6.8 million)2, cancer (13 million)3, and coronary artery disease (16.3 million)4. If untreated, those who suffer from PAD are at risk of very serious consequences. The five-year mortality rate is 30 percent5, which is greater than the rates for prostate cancer (less than 1 percent)6 and breast cancer (11 percent)7. For the nearly 3.5 million people who suffer from the worst form of PAD, called critical…
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Electrical Nerve Stimulation Device Prevents Migraine

Study shows 81% reduction in number of migraine days per month with electrical nerve stimulation In a new study, Cefaly, the first FDA-approved transcutaneous electrical nerve-stimulation device for use before onset of migraine pain. It was shown to have provided relief for 81% of migraine patients who used it. The study, conducted in Italy, enrolled 24 patients with migraine without aura. These patients were experiencing a low number of attacks per month and who had taken migraine-preventive drugs. The primary outcome measures were the reductions in migraine attacks and in the number of migraine days per month. Then investigators also…
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Disturbed Sleep: Causes and Treatments

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5, sleep-wake disorders encompass 10 conditions manifested by disturbed sleep, distress, and impairment in daytime functioning.1 Sleep disorders include insomnia, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and breathing-related disorders (obstructive sleep apnea). Excessive daytime sleepiness, or sudden somnolence, is a symptom that can occur with several sleep disorders. Excessive daytime sleepiness may include mild sleepiness, unrecognized episodes of “micro-sleep” or uncontrolled sleep attacks that result in falling asleep while in conversation, reading or watching television, or even while driving. Excessive daytime sleepiness may be caused by not getting enough hours of sleep or…
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How to Treat Back Pain without Drugs

Back pain is a common health issue today that affects at least eight out of 10 people. It is a prevalent problem among Americans. In fact, statistics from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) reveal that at least 31 million Americans experience lower back pain at any given time. The ACA report also says that: One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. In fact, it is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office (next to upper-respiratory infections). As many…
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