What kind of doctor determines if you have neuropathy?

You usually start with your primary care doctor (GP/internist) who might refer you to a neurologist, a nerve specialist, for diagnosis and management, though depending on the cause, an endocrinologist (for diabetes), podiatrist, or pain management specialist could also be involved in confirming the condition and treating its effects.

What is the best doctor to see for neuropathy?

Neurologists are the primary specialists for diagnosing and managing peripheral neuropathy. They perform detailed nerve function tests such as Nerve Conduction Studies, Electromyography (EMG), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Nerve Biopsy.

What is the number one medical condition that causes neuropathy?

One of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes. People with peripheral neuropathy usually describe the pain as stabbing, burning or tingling. Sometimes symptoms get better, especially if caused by a condition that can be treated. Medicines can reduce the pain of peripheral neuropathy.

Can neuropathy cause swelling?

Yes, neuropathy can indirectly cause swelling, often in the feet and legs, through reduced movement leading to fluid buildup, poor circulation from nerve damage, or inflammation from related issues like infection or nerve entrapment, though swelling isn't a primary symptom but a common complication. Factors like diabetes, heart/kidney problems, and lack of sensation from nerve damage contribute to fluid retention and swelling (edema). 

What is the number one treatment for neuropathy?

The main medicines recommended for neuropathic pain include:

• amitriptyline – also used for treatment of headaches and depression.
• duloxetine – also used for treatment of bladder problems and depression.
• pregabalin and gabapentin – also used to treat epilepsy, headaches or anxiety.

Testing for neuropathy to determine if there is any type of nerve damage | Paid Content

What is the root cause of neuropathy?

The root cause of neuropathy (nerve damage) is varied, but the most common culprit is diabetes, due to high blood sugar damaging nerves; other major causes include physical injury/trauma, infections (shingles, HIV), autoimmune disorders (lupus, RA), vitamin deficiencies (especially B vitamins), alcohol misuse, kidney/liver disease, toxins, and certain medications, with some cases being inherited or having no clear cause. Essentially, anything that damages the nerve structure, impairs blood flow to nerves, or disrupts nerve function can lead to neuropathy. 

What vitamin deficiency causes neuropathy?

Vitamin deficiencies that cause neuropathy primarily involve the B vitamins (B1, B6, B9, B12) and sometimes Vitamin E, with B12 deficiency being a very common cause, but copper deficiency and even excess B6 can also lead to nerve damage. These deficiencies disrupt nerve function, causing symptoms like tingling, numbness, pain, and loss of coordination.
 

What does neuropathy feel like in your feet?

Neuropathy in the feet often feels like tingling, numbness, or a "pins-and-needles" sensation, progressing to sharp, burning, or jabbing pains, extreme sensitivity to touch (even blankets), and sometimes muscle weakness or balance issues, making it hard to feel temperature or pressure changes and leading to clumsiness. It's like your feet are "falling asleep" or wearing gloves/socks when they aren't, often worsening at night. 

What flares up neuropathy in the feet?

Neuropathy in the feet gets aggravated by poor blood sugar control (diabetes), alcohol misuse, certain medications, vitamin deficiencies (B, E), infections, and autoimmune issues, while physical triggers include pressure from tight shoes, prolonged cold, repetitive motions, and high-impact activity; also, symptoms often worsen at night due to natural body rhythms and lack of daytime distractions, with sugary, salty foods, caffeine, and gluten/refined carbs often worsening inflammation and blood flow. 

How is neuropathy usually diagnosed?

Biopsy and scans

This is a minor surgical procedure where a small sample of a peripheral nerve is removed from near your ankle so it can be examined under a microscope. It's then checked for changes that could be a sign of certain types of peripheral neuropathy.

What diseases start with neuropathy?

Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) can cause severe weakness. They're also very treatable. Neuropathy can happen due to lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, vasculitis and more.

Can neuropathy affect the eyes?

Yes, neuropathy significantly affects the eyes, primarily through the optic nerve (optic neuropathy), causing vision loss, color changes, or pain, but also through other nerve damage leading to dry eyes, pupil issues, or severe corneal pain (ocular neuropathic pain), often stemming from conditions like diabetes, inflammation, or toxins.
 

Who usually gets neuropathy?

Anyone can get neuropathy, but it's most common in people with diabetes, alcohol use disorder, and certain infections, autoimmune diseases (like lupus/RA), or kidney/liver issues, with risk increasing with age, poor nutrition (vitamin deficiencies), certain medications (chemo), and family history. It damages nerves, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness, and often results from other underlying health conditions.
 

What does a doctor give you for neuropathy?

Neuropathy medications primarily target nerve pain using anti-seizure drugs (like gabapentin, pregabalin, carbamazepine) and antidepressants (like duloxetine, amitriptyline), which calm overactive nerves, alongside topical treatments (lidocaine, capsaicin) and sometimes stronger pain relievers, often requiring trial-and-error to find what works best for nerve pain, which differs from typical pain relievers. 

What is the best exercise for neuropathy of the feet?

The best exercises for foot neuropathy focus on low-impact cardio (walking, swimming, cycling), balance (heel-to-toe walking, Tai Chi), and specific foot/ankle movements (ankle circles, toe scrunches, ball rolling) to improve circulation, nerve function, strength, and stability, with a crucial first step being consulting a doctor or physical therapist for a personalized, safe plan.
 

Who should I see if I think I have neuropathy?

If your doctor thinks you may have peripheral neuropathy, they may refer you to a neurologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the nervous system. The neurologist (or your own doctor) will begin by taking a history of your symptoms and examining you for signs of muscle weakness, numbness, and impaired reflexes.

Can you ever get rid of neuropathy in your feet?

Foot neuropathy can sometimes go away or significantly improve, especially if caught early and the underlying cause (like vitamin deficiency, injury, or infection) is treated, but severe or long-term nerve damage is often permanent, requiring management to stop progression and relieve symptoms like pain, tingling, and numbness. Early diagnosis and treating the root cause are crucial for the best outcomes, as untreated neuropathy usually worsens, though some advanced treatments aim to reverse damage and restore function. 

What is the best position to sleep in with neuropathy?

For neuropathy, the best sleeping positions often involve spinal alignment and reducing pressure: try sleeping on your back with pillows under your knees, or on your side with a pillow between your legs (or under the affected limb if localized), using wedges or body pillows for support to keep the spine neutral, and avoid stomach sleeping which can compress nerves. Elevating legs slightly can help, as can using a recliner, but the key is finding support that keeps your body aligned and relieves pressure points. 

What medications cause neuropathy in the feet?

Many medications can cause peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) in the feet, with common culprits including chemotherapy drugs (like vincristine, cisplatin, taxanes), certain antibiotics (metronidazole, isoniazid, fluoroquinolones), HIV drugs, some heart medications (amiodarone), anti-seizure drugs (phenytoin), and others like statins or colchicine, often affecting hands and feet first. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, pain, and weakness, and it's crucial to report them to a doctor, as treatment may involve dose adjustment or changing medications. 

What can a podiatrist do for neuropathy of the feet?

A podiatrist manages foot neuropathy by diagnosing its cause, reducing pain with treatments like TENS or custom orthotics, improving circulation with massage/laser therapy, providing foot care education (inspection, moisturizing, proper trimming), recommending supportive footwear, and potentially using medications or advanced options like nerve blocks to prevent complications like ulcers and amputation. They focus on managing symptoms, slowing progression, and maintaining foot health.
 

What are the red flags for neuropathy?

Symptoms of sensory neuropathy can include: pins and needles in the affected body part. numbness and less ability to feel pain or changes in temperature, particularly in your feet. a burning or sharp pain, usually in the feet.

What stops nerve pain immediately?

To stop nerve pain immediately, you can use topical treatments like lidocaine or capsaicin patches/creams for localized relief, apply cold or heat therapy, try over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) if inflammation is a factor, or take a prescribed stronger painkiller like tramadol for quick, short-term relief, but the fastest method for severe pain is often a professional nerve block injection, which directly blocks pain signals. 

What are you lacking if you have neuropathy?

Neuropathy, or nerve damage, can be caused by deficiencies in several key nutrients, most notably Vitamin B12, but also others like B1 (Thiamine), B6, B9 (Folate), B5, Copper, and Vitamin E, with poor nutrition or alcoholism often underlying these shortages. These deficiencies disrupt nerve function and structure, leading to symptoms like numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness, with B12 deficiency being a common culprit, especially in older adults or those with absorption issues.
 

What is the yellow vitamin that helps neuropathy?

The "yellow vitamin" often associated with nerve health and neuropathy relief is Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), crucial for myelin sheath maintenance, though turmeric's active compound, Curcumin, provides a yellow hue and significant anti-inflammatory relief for neuropathic pain. While B12 supports nerve repair, supplements like Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) and other B vitamins (B1, B6) are also key players in nerve regeneration and reducing neuropathy symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain.
 

How long does it take for B12 to help neuropathy?

Vitamin B12 can start helping neuropathy symptoms like tingling and fatigue within days to weeks, with noticeable improvements in sensation, pain, and balance often seen in 1 to 3 months, and significant recovery potentially taking 6 months or more, but complete nerve repair and long-term function recovery can be a gradual process, with some damage potentially being permanent if the deficiency was long-standing.