Neuropathy "The Painful Enigma"

Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, or CNS, of mammals and it primarily interacts with both metabotropic and ionotropic receptors to activate and regulate postsynaptic responses. Both AMPA and NMDA receptors are fundamental mediators of synaptic plasticity, the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken, where dysregulation of those receptors leads to neurodegeneration in a variety of disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease.

The main difference between AMPA and NMDA receptors is that sodium and potassium increases in AMPA receptors where calcium increases along with sodium and potassium influx in NMDA receptors. Moreover, AMPA receptors do not have a magnesium ion block while NMDA receptors do have a calcium ion block. AMPA and NMDA are two types of ionotropic, glutamate receptors. They are non-selective, ligand-gated ion channels, which mainly enable the passage of sodium and potassium ions. Furthermore, glutamate is a neurotransmitter which creates excitatory postsynaptic signals in the CNS.

For many years, most neuroscientists believed we were born with all the neurons we were ever going to carry in our brains. As children, we may develop new neurons to help create the pathways, known as neural circuits, which function as information highways between different regions of the brain. However, scientists believed that after a neural circuit was created, developing any new neurons could interrupt the flow of information and disable the brain’s communication system.  

Neurogenic inflammation, or NI, is the physiological process where mediators are discharged directly from the cutaneous nerves to commence an inflammatory response. This results in the creation of local inflammatory reactions including, erythema, swelling, temperature increase, tenderness, and pain. Fine unmyelinated afferent somatic C-fibers, which respond to low intensity mechanical and chemical stimulations, are largely responsible for the release of these inflammatory mediators.

When stimulated, these nerve pathways in the cutaneous nerves release energetic neuropeptides, or substance P and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), rapidly into the microenvironment, triggering a series of inflammatory responses. There is a significant distinction in immunogenic inflammation, that’s the very first protective and reparative response made by the immune system when a pathogen enters the body, whereas neurogenic inflammation involves a direct connection between the nervous system and the inflammatory responses. Even though neurogenic inflammation and immunologic inflammation can exist concurrently, the two are not clinically indistinguishable. The purpose of the article below is to discuss the mechanism of neurogenic inflammation and the peripheral nervous system’s role in host defense and immunopathology.

When the sensory system is affected by injury or disease, the nerves within that system can’t work properly to transmit sensations and feelings into the brain. This frequently contributes to a feeling of numbness, or lack of sensation. However, in certain cases, when this system is damaged, people may experience pain in the affected area.

Neuropathic pain does not start abruptly or resolve quickly; it’s a chronic pain condition which leads to persistent pain symptoms. For most individuals, the intensity of their symptoms may wax and wane throughout the day. Although neuropathic pain is supposed to be related to peripheral nerve health issues, like neuropathy caused by diabetes or spinal stenosis, injuries to the brain or spinal cord may also lead to chronic neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is also referred to as nerve pain.

Neuropathic pain may be contrasted to nociceptive pain. Neuropathic pain does not develop to any specific circumstance or outside stimulus, but rather, the symptoms occur simply because the nervous system may not be working accordingly. As a matter of fact, individuals can also experience neuropathic pain even when the aching or injured body part is not actually there. This condition is called phantom limb pain, which may occur in people after they’ve had an amputation.

Nociceptive pain is generally acute and develops in response to a specific circumstance, such as when someone experiences a sudden injury, like hammering a finger with a hammer or stubbing a toe when walking barefoot. Moreover, nociceptive pain tends to go away once the affected site heals. The body contains specialized nerve cells, known as nociceptors, which detect noxious stimuli that could damage the body, such as extreme heat or cold, pressure, pinching, and exposure to chemicals. These warning signals are then passed along the nervous system to the brain, resulting in nociceptive pain.

Neuropathy is a medical term used to describe a collection of general diseases or malfunctions which affect the nerves. The causes of neuropathy, or nerve damage, can vary greatly among each individual and these may be caused by a number of different diseases, injuries, infections and even vitamin deficiency states. However, neuropathy can most commonly affect the nerves that control the motor and sensory nerves. Because the human body is composed of many different kinds of nerves which perform different functions, nerve damage is classified into several types. Neuropathy can also be classified according to the location of the nerves being affected and according to the disease causing it. For instance, neuropathy caused by diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. Furthermore, depending on which nerves are affected will depend on the symptoms that will manifest as a result. Below we will discuss several specific types of neuropathies clinically treated by chiropractors, physical therapists and physical medicine doctors alike, as well as briefly describing their causes and their symptoms.

The vast array of symptoms caused by neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy, reflect the fact that it may be caused by an equally broad range of ailments involving disease and damage to peripheral nerves.

Signs and Symptoms of Neuropathy

Depending on the reason and unique to each patient, signs and symptoms of neuropathy can include: pain; tingling, burning or prickling sensations; increased sensitivity to touch; muscle weakness or wasting; temporary or permanent numbness; paralysis; dysfunction in glands or organs; or impairment in urination and sexual functioning.

Such signs and symptoms are dependent on whether autonomic, sensory, or motor nerves, as well as a combination of them, are ultimately affected. Autonomic nerve damage can influence physiological functions like blood pressure or create gastrointestinal problems and issues. Damage or dysfunction in the sensory nerves may impact sensations and sense of equilibrium or balance, while harm to motor nerves may affect movement and reflexes. When both sensory and motor nerves are involved, the condition is known as sensorimotor polyneuropathy.

Muscle Fasciculations:

Key indexing terms:

Here’s yet another reason to get off the couch: Inactivity is associated with greater risk of prediabetes, even for healthy-weight adults, a new study finds. University of Florida researchers said the finding may help explain why up to one-third of slim American adults have prediabetes — elevated blood sugar but not full-blown diabetes.

“We have found that a lot of people who we would consider to be at healthy weight — they’re not overweight or obese — are not metabolically healthy,” said lead investigator Arch Mainous III. He’s chair of health services research, management and policy in the university’s College of Public Health and Health Professions.

Mainous and his colleagues analyzed data from more than 1,000 people, aged 20 and older, in England. All had a healthy weight and no diagnosis of diabetes. Those with an inactive lifestyle were more likely than active people to have a blood sugar level of 5.7 or above, which the American Diabetes Association considers prediabetes. About one-quarter of all inactive people and more than 40 percent of inactive people 45 and older met the criteria for prediabetes or diabetes, according to the study.

Interesting Facts About Peripheral Neuropathy That You Need To Know

Almost everyone is well aware of what peripheral neuropathy means as well as its symptoms. However, many people will be surprised to know that tingling sensation, numbness and pain aren’t the only symptoms experienced by people with peripheral neuropathy. The symptoms of this condition are subjective to the type of nerve that is being affected. The three main types of nerves include motor, sensory and autonomic nerve; each having its own symptoms.

People diagnosed with diabetes must be very careful when it comes to taking all the necessary precautions of peripheral neuropathy. According to top researches, estimates of 70 percent of diabetic patients tend to develop one or more symptoms of neuropathy. While some of the medications may help improve the condition of neuropathy, many medications have the tendency to worsen the situation. Moreover, medications to treat other diseases like cancer are likely to cause nerve damage that leads to peripheral neuropathy.

It is essential for people with this condition to not take the simple symptoms like numbness lightly as it can cause some serious problems with time. For example, if you are feeling a sensation of numbness on your feet then you will not realize it if you even step on a broken glass. For this reason, you must never ignore even the simplest of the symptoms as it can lead to severe results. You must visit http://www.neuropathycure.org for more details.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment of peripheral neuropathy that can completely diminish the matter. The treatments of medication and therapy can only contain the symptoms as well as improve the condition so that the individual suffering can be relived from intense pain and agitation. For this reason, you must not get your hopes up with the prescribed medical treatment.

THE FOUR BIG MYTHS ABOUT NEUROPATHY

Can you recall the first time you were told you might suffer from neuropathy?

Chances are unless you already knew someone who suffered from neuropathy – you didn’t know much about the condition. You’ve likely learned quite a bit about the condition since then – but you no doubt came across false or misleading information along the way.

The truth is, there are still a lot of misleading rumors and false information about neuropathy out there. In fact – you may be surprised to learn that some of the information you’ve picked up over the years may not be completely true.

I’ve encountered a number of half-truths and misleading facts over the years. While some are harmless, others can send you down the wrong path or prevent you from getting the best treatment for your nerve damage. To help dispel these myths, I’ve put together a list of four half-truths, misleading rumors, and other misconceptions about neuropathy that a lot of people still believe.

MYTH #1 – NERVE DAMAGE IS IRREVERSIBLE:

You may have been told at some point that your nerve damage is irreversible. The truth is, it largely depends on the cause and severity of your nerve damage. No one case is the same – but for many people, their nerve damage can in fact be slowed and even reversed. This is especially true for those suffering from diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage resulting from a vitamin B12 deficiency.

For those with diabetic neuropathy, managing blood sugar is the single most effective step one can take to both slow and reverse nerve damage. For those whose neuropathy was a result of a vitamin B12 deficiency, replenishing the body’s B12 reserves can both repair and regenerate damaged nerves.

Of course, those with diabetic neuropathy or a B12 deficiency aren’t the only ones who can hold on to the hope of reversing their nerve damage. With the right treatment, I’ve seen individuals with various different causes of their neuropathy experience nerve regeneration and a reduction (and even elimination) of their symptoms.

MYTH #2 – ONLY PEOPLE WITH DIABETES DEVELOP NEUROPATHY

While it’s true that around 70% of people with diabetes will also develop neuropathy, it isn’t the only cause of nerve damage. There are a number of other causes, affecting people from all walks of life. A list of known causes of neuropathy include:

• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Chemotherapy
• Medications (see list of 65 medications that can cause neuropathy)
• Surgery
• Alcohol Consumption
• Exposure to Toxins
• Infections
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Trauma
• Repeated Pressure on Nerves
• Kidney Disorders
• Inherited Disorders

MORE: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet to Neuropathy Causes & Treatments

MYTH #3 – PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS CURE NEUROPATHY

There is no prescription medication on the market that “cures” neuropathy. In fact, many of the neuropathy drugs on the market today were originally intended for other medical conditions, such as epilepsy.

Rather than cure neuropathy, the prescription drugs on the market today are designed to mask the pain. They act as a volume knob, temporarily turning down the pain levels – but eventually wearing off. As such, the user never gets permanent, lasting relief.

Not only that, but some independent studies have shown most of the common neuropathy prescriptions on the market today to be “largely ineffective”. In one study published by the Cochrane Library in 2015, researchers found that only 1 in 10 patients taking anti-seizure medications for nerve pain experienced a reduction in pain. And of the 10% that did have a reduction in pain, the reduction was minimal.

More: Researchers: “Popular drugs for nerve pain are ineffective”

MYTH #4 – TINGLING, NUMBNESS AND SHOOTING PAINS ARE THE ONLY SYMPTOMS OF NEUROPATHY

While these are the most common symptoms associated with neuropathy, there are many other problems that can manifest themselves if you’re suffering from nerve damage. Depending on the type of nerves that have been damaged, your symptoms could range from tingling sensations in the hands or feet to heartburn or indigestion.

Your peripheral nervous system has three types of nerves: sensory, motor, and autonomic. Each has a different function and the symptoms of your nerve damage will vary depending on which of these nerve types was damaged. In some cases only one type of nerve may be damaged, while in others multiple nerve types may have been compromised.

Common Symptoms of Nerve Damage (based on nerve type):

Sensory:

• Pins and needle-like pain (sharp, painful sensations)
• Tingling or numbness
• Extreme sensitivity to touch

Motor:

• Loss of balance
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of muscle control (i.e. difficulty gripping things, difficulty walking)
• Cramps or twitching

Autonomic:

• Dizziness when standing
• Abnormal heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Excessive sweating
• Lack of sweat
• Digestive problems
• Bladder problems
• Vision Problems

While there are many other myths and misleading facts floating around out there – these are four of the ones I’ve encountered most often in my years helping people suffering from neuropathy. Some of them can be more harmful than others – depriving the person that has fallen for them of the real information that could make a difference in their life.

What myths or misleading information have you been told over the years – only to discover the truth later on?

Inning accordance with Mayo clinic discomfort research has resulted in discoveries that alpha lipoic acid may operate in relieving uncomfortable symptoms. Much can be done to ease the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and avoid further damage.

EXACTLY WHAT IS ALPHA LIPOIC ACID?

It’s a naturally occurring fatty acid in our bodies. It’s likewise known as lipoic acid, thioctic acid or abbreviated as ALA however shouldn’t be puzzled with alpha linolenic acid.

Alpha lipoic acid is found in a lot of foods especially in animal internal organs such as the liver, heart and kidney. Due to the fact that it is covalently bound, the naturally happening type is not readily available so that extracting it from natural sources yields poor outcomes.

The chemical structure of alpha lipoic acid shows 2 thiol or sulfur groups. When lowered the result is called dihydrolipoic acid and when in an oxidized type alpha lipoic acid.

FUNCTIONS OF ALPHA LIPOIC ACID IN THE BODY

It is a fat and as such it is used by the body to produce energy for the body’s functions. It transforms glucose into energy.

It is one potent antioxidant. This particular is significant in neuropathy. It’s both water and fat soluble if compared to the majority of antioxidants. Being so, it quickly permeates nerve cells and secures the integrity of nerve cells from oxidative damage. It scavengers for radicals and secures the integrity of the afferent neuron. Another one of its considerable function is its capability to renew vitamin C and glutathione when these antioxidants remain in low supply. Glutathione is another vital anti-oxidant that eliminates hazardous toxins. They cooperate together to safeguard the harmful impacts of complimentary radicals and protect the integrity of cells from oxidative damage.


RESEARCH ON ALPHA LIPOIC ACID AND NEUROPATHY

Initial studies suggest that it might assist in diabetic neuropathy. In one of the biggest research studies, 181 people took 600 mg, 1200 mg or 1800 mg of alpha lipoic acid or a placebo. After 5 weeks, those who took in the supplement have actually shown enhanced signs. A 600 mg daily dose was best endured which likewise provided the finest advantages.

Research carried out by the Linus Pauling Institute has actually shown the following evidence relating to the function of alpha lipoic acid in diabetes and in diabetic neuropathy:

· improves glucose usage in type 2 Diabetes mellitus by boosting insulin sensitivity. The result of 3 various research studies as reported by the institute suggested that the optimum reliable dose is 600 mg/ day. The R-isomer of ALA may be more reliable in enhancing insulin sensitivity than the L-isomer.

· by some mechanism it increases glucose uptake in fat and muscle cells

· enhances the function and conduction of neurons in diabetes

· A neuropathic complication defined by lowered heart rate variability was “considerably enhanced” by treatment of 800 mg daily of the racemic kind.

· Beneficial effects are related primarily to its antioxidant homes. As an antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid scavenges reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that can cause damage to DNA, proteins and lipids in cell membranes. Alpha lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid likewise hinder copper and iron moderated oxidative damage.

· may help in diabetic end-stage renal illness on hemodialysis.

· Research study show a considerable enhancement in electrophysiological tests of nerve conduction after 2 years of treatment with 1200/mg or 600/mg than those on placebo.

· Apart from its helpful role in diabetes, it helps in metabolic syndrome, halts Alzheimer’s development and age-related cognitive dysfunction and lots of others.

RECOMMENDED ALPHA LIPOIC ACID DOSE

As you age the capacity of your body to produce alpha lipoic acid reduces and you can gain from its numerous benefits.

The Linus Pauling institute suggests the R-isomer of 200-400 mg daily for healthy individuals.

For diabetic neuropathy, the optimum recommended dose is 600 – 1,800 mg/ day of the R-isomer.

For cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy a suggested oral dosage of 800/day of the R-isomer likewise is suggested.

BOTTOM LINE

If you decide to supplement your anti-diabetic medication with alpha lipoic acid in the hope of treating your diabetic neuropathy ask your physicians’ suggestion specifically if you are taking other medications to lower blood sugar levels.

This antioxidant can assist in your diabetes management. However, it’s essential to remember that management of diabetes is a lifelong dedication. Keep in mind of your diet, workout day-to-day and monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. Take your anti-diabetic medications or insulin as directed by your doctor.

Once they have actually begun, diligently observing these things can prevent complications and stop them in their tracks.

The chemical structure of alpha lipoic acid shows 2 thiol or sulfur groups. When decreased the outcome is called dihydrolipoic acid and when in an oxidized type alpha lipoic acid. In one of the biggest research studies, 181 individuals took 600 mg, 1200 mg or 1800 mg of alpha lipoic acid or a placebo. As an antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid scavenges reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that can cause damage to DNA, proteins and lipids in cell membranes. Alpha lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid also inhibit copper and iron mediated oxidative damage.

You have actually been feeling that tingling at your toes for more than a couple of weeks now. At night, a sharp jabbing discomfort at your feet wakes you up. You have trouble in strolling due to discomfort.

Peripheral Neuritis (pronounced/ new.righ’t is/).

Peripheral neuritis is the most common type of neuropathy (pronounced/ new.rop’ uth-ee/) occurring among diabetics. It affects your toes, feet and later your arms and hands. As you lose your capacity to feel any pain in your extremities serious problems set in.

The manifestations of other types of neuropathy depend upon what types of nerves are impacted. Apart from peripheral neuritis other types of diabetic neuropathy are autonomic (pronounced/ aw” tuh.nom’ ick/) neuropathy, radiculoplexus (pronounced/ ra.dick” yoo.lo.pleck’ sus/) neuropathy and mononeuropathy (noticable/ mon” o-new. rop’ uth-ee/).

AUTONOMIC NEUROPATHY

Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves controlling the functions of your body organs. Your free nerve system is responsible in the functioning of your heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, sex organs, bladder and eyes. When the nerves of your bladder are impacted you’ll experience urinary incontinence. On the other hand, when your stomach nerves are included you’ll feel sluggish stomach clearing described as gastroparesis with queasiness, loss of cravings and throwing up. Irregularity or unchecked diarrhea can also be symptoms.

When the nerves of sex organs are included, males suffer impotence while women sexual troubles.

The nerves of your heart can be impacted too and your body will have trouble in getting used to high blood pressure and heart rate. You’ll feel a quick heart rate at rest. You’ll go through an unexpected drop in blood pressure from a sitting to a standing position that can cause faintness or lightheadedness.

If your eye nerves are impacted, you’ll have difficulty adjusting from light to dark. Dangerously, your body may not identify low blood sugar levels.

RADICULOPLEXUS NEUROPATHY

Radiculoplexus neuropathy is likewise called as diabetic amyotrophy (pronounced/ am” eye.ot’ ruh.fee/), femoral neuropathy or proximal neuropathy. It affects the nerves in your thighs, butts, hips or legs. The signs appear all of a sudden and seriously. The muscles affected become weak then atrophy and you’ll have to struggle increasing from a sitting position. , if your abdomen is impacted swelling happens.. Gradually, weight reduction ensues.

MONONEUROPATHY

Other signs consist of pain in your foot, shin and front of thigh; trouble focusing your eyes, double vision and discomfort behind your eye; chest or abdominal pain. Compression neuropathy can take place such as in carpal tunnel syndrome.

WHY NEUROPATHY OCCURS

Diabetic neuropathy gradually occurs from years of uncontrolled blood sugar level levels that damage the nerves. Sometimes, cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse add to the advancement of neuropathy. Medical professionals say a hereditary personality is to blame and in some cases the cause is totally unidentified.

MANAGEMENT OF NEUROPATHY

Inning accordance with the Mayo clinic the goals in the management of neuropathy is to slow the development of the condition, to ease pain, manage other issues that might occur and to restore the function of the body location impacted.

The best way to slow development is to tighten control of your blood sugar levels. Display your blood sugar level levels daily. Your blood glucose levels should be in between 70- 130 mg/dl prior to meals and no less that 180 mg/dl two hours after meals. Undergo Hemoglobin A1C screening every three months and your values should not be more than 7 percent.

Take your anti-diabetic medications as prescribed by your health care supplier. Couple this with the best diet, workout and healthy way of life habits.

To relieve discomfort, your physician will recommend medications such as anti-seizure medication, anti-depressants, topical anesthetics or opioids which have actually been revealed to work well.

Antispasmodics can ease incontinence. Taking in smaller sized but regular meals can ease gastrointestinal problems. The occurrence of low blood pressure on standing can be avoided by standing gradually and drinking additional fluids.

Medications can bring back functions of organs such as in erectile dysfunction. When they aren’t reliable guys can resort to vacuuming. In females, lubrications can assist.

Alternative Treatment.

Alternative treatments work well too such as transcutaneous electrical nerve acupuncture, stimulation and biofeedback. Scientific research studies had shown that they can assist in reducing signs and slowing the progress of neuropathy.

The best method to prevent diabetic neuropathy is to keep typical blood glucose levels daily. Continue your diabetic medications or insulin as advised by your physician, pay attention to your diet plan, weave in exercise in your day-to-day regimen and maintain healthy way of life practices.

The symptoms of other types of neuropathy depend upon exactly what types of nerves are affected. Apart from peripheral neuritis other types of diabetic neuropathy are free (pronounced/ aw” tuh.nom’ ick/) neuropathy, radiculoplexus (noticable/ ra.dick” yoo.lo.pleck’ sus/) neuropathy and mononeuropathy (noticable/ mon” o-new. Autonomic neuropathy impacts the nerves controlling the functions of your body organs. Radiculoplexus neuropathy is likewise called as diabetic amyotrophy (pronounced/ am” eye.ot’ ruh.fee/), femoral neuropathy or proximal neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy gradually ensues from years of unchecked blood sugar levels that ruin the nerves.

Exactly what you might not understand is that there are nutritional supplements and vitamins you can take to assist control your blood sugar. And numerous of these supplements go to the website can also assist with the impacts of diabetic neuropathy – one of the chief factors to amputations in diabetic clients.

The number of medical studies that reveal adding crucial nutrients to the health care routines of diabetic neuropathy patients is growing continuously.

Given, these dietary supplements will not fill in correct diet, controlling your blood glucose and a sound exercise strategy, but they can certainly improve the efficiency of all of these pieces of the diabetic neuropathy puzzle.

WHAT YOU MUST LOOK FOR IN NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

As a client with diabetic neuropathy, your requirements in nutritional supplements are various than those of other people. While lots of companies utilize the convenience of their once-a-day multivitamin as a selling point, a tablet you take only when a day is only going to be truly effective for the 2 hours after take it. You need more than that for the signs of your diabetic neuropathy.

To get the complete impact for treating your diabetic neuropathy, you have to preserve a stable healing level of these vitamins and nutrients throughout the day to assist keep your blood sugar under control.

Pick supplements that you take at last three times a day to keep the levels consistent in your blood stream.

And look for dietary supplements that come from an FDA authorized producer to make sure that what you’re taking is pharmaceutical grade.

WHICH VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS YOU SHOULD TAKE

There is a lot information on the marketplace now about nutritional supplements and vitamins. Do not go out there and purchase vitamins without being prepared. Do your research study and talk to a professional like your favorite clinician to make sure you’re taking the ideal vitamins for your specific diabetic neuropathy signs. We have a very particular protocol in our centers.

Here’s a fast cheat sheet of the Top 12 vitamins and nutrients for diabetic neuropathy treatment to assist you determine a few of the important supplements that can assist your diabetic neuropathy and exactly what they do:

Thiamin (Vitamin B1) – assists preserve healthy oxygen levels in the blood stream which suggests that you less possibility of nerve damage due to bad oxygen levels reaching the nerves. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of thiamine for the average individual is 1.0 to 2.4 mg per day however diabetic neuropathy patients need to take in the series of 60 mg daily in equally divided dosages.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) – works in mix with Vitamin B6 to help your body use glucose effectively. The RDA is 1.2 to 1.6 mg each day however restorative levels need to be around 60 mg each day.
Vitamin B6 – in addition to folic acid and B12, it helps avoid nerve damage and heart attacks. It can likewise help avoid diabetic blindness and/or vision loss. Restorative levels should be at least 60 mg each day but be extremely mindful with your dosage. Some toxicity has actually been reported with incredibly high levels of B6.
Vitamin B12 – works with folic acid to assist prevent stroke and loss of limbs due to diabetic neuropathy. It likewise helps ease neuropathy pain.
Biotin – when taken in mix with chromium, biotin (a B vitamin) assists insulin work better, keeps the pancreas working well, and decreases blood sugar levels.
Chromium – when taken with biotin, assists insulin work better, keeps the pancreas working well and reduces blood sugar level levels.
Copper – helps secure the cells in the pancreas that make insulin healthy, helps avoid diabetes related damage to capillary and nerves and lowers blood glucose levels.
Folic Acid – deal with B12 to help avoid strokes and loss of limbs due to diabetic neuropathy.
Magnesium – helps alleviate diabetic neuropathy discomfort and helps insulin work more successfully.
Manganese – helps avoid damage to capillary and nerves.
Selenium – in some cases called an insulin copy cat, selenium helps take blood sugar level into the cells. Selenium protects versus capillary and nerve damage from elevated blood sugar level levels, two of the contributing consider diabetic neuropathy.
Zinc – assists blood glucose enter the cells and insulin work more efficiently.
These supplements, when utilized effectively and under the care and supervision of your very own clinician, can help enhance your diabetic neuropathy signs and reduce the opportunities of permanent nerve damage and eventual amputation.

TAKE NOTE – THESE SUPPLEMENTS WILL NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF CONSUMING PROPERLY & EXERCISING

They operate in mix with a healthier lifestyle, not in location of it.

And never ever self prescribe vitamins supplements and nutrients. Deal with your clinician to get here at the levels you need for your particular diabetic neuropathy and blood glucose control concerns. As with numerous other things, too much of an excellent thing can do more damage than good if not appropriately managed and monitored by a specialist.

And never ever self recommend vitamins supplements and nutrients. Work with you NeuropathyDR ® clinician to reach the levels you require for your specific diabetic neuropathy and blood sugar control problems. Just like lots of other things, too much of a good thing can do more harm than great if not effectively regulated and monitored by an expert.

Exactly what you might not realize is that there are dietary supplements and vitamins you can take to assist manage your blood sugar. And many of these supplements can also assist with the results of diabetic neuropathy – one of the chief contributors to amputations in diabetic patients.

Vitamin B6 – along with folic acid and B12, it assists avoid nerve damage and heart attacks. It can likewise help prevent diabetic loss of sight and/or vision loss. Work with your clinician to get here at the levels you need for your particular diabetic neuropathy and blood sugar control problems.

Peripheral neuropathy may be more common in patients with pre-diabetes 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

“We know now a lot more than we did 3 or 5 years ago about neuropathic pain in patients with prediabetes. Neuropathy affects patients with prediabetes in a continuum,” said J. Rob Singleton, MD, who is a professor of neurology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. “We think it is more obesity and dysfunction of lipids (fats) that is causing the problem.”

For many families, type 2 diabetes can develop in several members of the household. For some people, diabetes has been diagnosed throughout previous generations of family members. However, does this mean, you are bound to inherit the condition?

Over a period of 25 years, according to statistics, the number of people in the world who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has increased from 35 million to 240 million. Moreover, these statistics don't take into account the number of individuals with undiagnosed diabetes. Many families have the relevant concern regarding whether they or future generations could genetically develop type 2 diabetes. While the magnitude of cases is quite significant, the reality is that the widespread issue of diabetes couldn't have simply occurred through genetic or inherited means in such a short time span.

If genetic alteration is not the reason behind the dramatic increase in type 2 diabetes cases, then why has the condition been on the rise over the past few decades? As a matter of fact, diabetes is a condition that is almost entirely caused by environmental and lifestyle factors. Our genetic code itself may not be altered through these circumstances but our environment as well as stress and improper nutrition and fitness habits can influence the way those genes are expressed. Predisposed genes can certainly contribute to the development of diabetes, however, if you are not exposed to these environmental and lifestyle triggers, the diabetes gene may never fully develop.

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition which occurs due to nerve damage in the arms, legs, hands and feet. Common symptoms include pain, tingling and burning sensations and numbness.

This type of neuropathy can be caused by a variety of factors, such as diabetes, chemotherapy, statin medications, disc herniation and trauma from an injury, toxic metal exposure, chronic alcohol consumption and vitamin deficiencies. Recent research studies, however, have associated peripheral nerve damage to gluten sensitivity and celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that generally affects the individual's digestive tract. When a person with celiac disease consumes gluten, it can cause damage to the small intestine, interfering with the body's natural nutrient absorption function. In a majority of cases, this inability to properly absorb nutrients can alter growth, weaken bones and even damage peripheral nerves, leading to neuropathy.

Until only several decades ago, neuroscientists believed that the brain stopped creating new neural connections, meaning that your memory starts to become irreversibly worse when the human body stopped developing, which is generally in your early 20s. Neuroscientists also understood that neurons weaken and die as we age. The loss of brain function due to neural breakdown was believed to be a normal part of aging until recent research studies demonstrated the opposite of this belief.

Over the last several years, it has become evident to neuroscientists that you can, as a matter of fact, create new neurons and develop new neural connections starting in your early 20s and continuing well into your old age. As the older regions of the brain start to wear out, you can ultimately rewire your brain and improve your overall brain health. But, how can you improve brain health? In the following article, we will discuss 5 ways you can improve your brain health and promote your well-being.

Neurological diseases are characterized as health issues associated with the brain, the spine, and the nerves which connect them. Neurological disease is considered to be one of the most prevalent health issues with a high burden to the patients, their families, and society. However, there are now estimates of the burden of neurological diseases in the United States.

Neuropathic pain is a complex, chronic pain condition that is generally accompanied by soft tissue injury. Neuropathic pain is common in clinical practice and also poses a challenge to patients and clinicians alike. With neuropathic pain, the nerve fibers themselves may be either damaged, dysfunctional or injured. Neuropathic pain is the result of damage from trauma or disease to the peripheral or central nervous system, where the lesion may occur at any site. As a result, these damaged nerve fibers can send incorrect signals to other pain centers. The effect of a nerve fiber injury consists of a change in neural function, both at the region of the injury and also around the injury. Clinical signs of neuropathic pain normally include sensory phenomena, such as spontaneous pain, paresthesias and hyperalgesia.

Neuropathic pain, as defined by the International Association of the Study of Pain or the IASP, is pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction of the nervous system. It could result from damage anywhere along the neuraxis: peripheral nervous system, spinal or supraspinal nervous system. Traits that distinguish neuropathic pain from other kinds of pain include pain and sensory signs lasting beyond the recovery period. It’s characterized in humans by spontaneous pain, allodynia, or the experience of non-noxious stimulation as painful, and causalgia, or persistent burning pain. Spontaneous pain includes sensations of “pins and needles”, burning, shooting, stabbing and paroxysmal pain, or electric-shock like pain, often associated with dysesthesias and paresthesias. These sensations not only alter the patient’s sensory apparatus, but also the patient’s well-being, mood, attention and thinking. Neuropathic pain is made up of both “negative” symptoms, such as sensory loss and tingling sensations, and “positive” symptoms, such as paresthesias, spontaneous pain and increased feeling of pain.

Conditions frequently related to neuropathic pain can be classified into two major groups: pain due to damage in the central nervous system and pain because of damage to the peripheral nervous system. Cortical and sub-cortical strokes, traumatic spinal cord injuries, syringo-myelia and syringobulbia, trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgias, neoplastic and other space-occupying lesions are clinical conditions that belong to the former group. Nerve compression or entrapment neuropathies, ischemic neuropathy, peripheral polyneuropathies, plexopathies, nerve root compression, post-amputation stump and phantom limb pain, postherpetic neuralgia and cancer-related neuropathies are clinical conditions that belong to the latter group.

Neuropathy Presentation II: El Paso, TX. Chiropractor, Dr. Alexander Jimenez continues the overview with neuropathy part II. Continued are the most common neuropathies to be seen in practice. Because the human body is composed of many different kinds of nerves which perform different functions, nerve damage is classified into several types. Neuropathy can also be classified according to the location of the nerves being affected and according to the disease causing it. For instance, neuropathy caused by diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. Furthermore, depending on which nerves are affected will depend on the symptoms that will manifest. The complications which follow neuropathy depends on the type of nerves that are damaged. According to Dr. Jimenez, different neuropathies can cause numbness and/or tingling sensations, increased pain or the loss of ability to feel pain, muscle weakness along with twitching and cramps, even dizziness and/or loss of bladder control function.

Sciatic Nerve Entrapment

• Piriformis Syndrome
• Peroneal Nerve Entrapment
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Sciatic N. Piriformis Syndrome

Causes

• Anatomic variation
• Piriformis overuse/tension

Exam

• Positive Lasègue test possible
• Doctor extends patient’s leg passively, while patient is lying supine positive test if maneuver is limited by pain
• Tenderness and palpable tension in piriformis muscle which elicits symptoms

Sciatic N. Peroneal Nerve Entrapment

• Peroneal or Fibular branch of Sciatic nerve entrapped at the fibular head
• Tinel’s sign may be present at fibular head/neck
• Usually affects common peroneal nerve, therefore motor and sensory symptoms can be seen
• Weakness of ankle dorsiflexion and eversion (tibialis anterior m.)
• Sensory disruption on the dorsum of the foot and lateral aspect of the calf

Sciatic N. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Tibial nerve impinged in the tarsal tunnel
• Sensory changes in the sole of the foot
• Tinel’s sign may be present with percussion posterior to the medial malleolus

Radiculopathy

• A mononeuropathy – located in one specific area
• Neuropathy involving spinal nerve roots
• Presents as changes in sensory and/or motor function affecting a single or a few nerve root level(s)
• Most commonly seen radiculopathies include:
• Sciatica
• Cervical radiculopathy

Common Causes Of Radiculopathy

• Disc herniation
• Osteophytes
• Spinal Stenosis
• Trauma
• Diabetes
• Epidural abscess or metastasis
• Nerve sheath tumors (schwannomas and neurofibromas)
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Herpes Zoster (shingles)
• Lyme disease
• Cytomegalovirus
• Myxedema/Thyroid disorder
• Idiopathic neuritis

Narrowing Down Common Causes Of Radiculopathy

• Disc Herniation

• Most commonly affected nerve roots are C6, C7, L5 & S1

• Spinal Stenosis

• Lumbar stenosis may produce neurogenic claudication
• Pain & weakness with ambulation
• Cervical stenosis may present with mixed picture of radiculopathy and myelopathy due to long tract involvement

• Trauma

• May cause compression, trauma or avulsion of the nerve roots

• Diabetes

• More likely to cause a polyneuropathy, but mononeuropathy is possible

• Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

• Most often on the trunk, accompanied by vesicular lesions in a single dermatome
• If pain persits past vesicular regression = post-herpetic neuralgia

Patient History Of Radiculopathy

• The patient will often complain of burning pain or tingling that radiates or shoots down an affected area in a dermatomal pattern.
• Sometimes patient will complain of motor weakness, however if onset is recent, there is often no motor involvement

Exam Of Radiculopathy

• Most often hypoesthesia in the affected dermatome level
• Best to evaluate for pain, as light touch can be difficult for these patient’s to distinguish
• Fasciculations and/or atrophy may be seen if radiculopathy is chronic, due to lower motor neuron being impinged
• Motor weakness may be seen in muscles innervated by the same root level

Orthopedic tests:

• Straight-leg raise test (SLR)

• Pain between 10-60 degrees likely indicates nerve root compression

• Well-leg raise/Crossed straight-leg raise test (WLR)

• If positive, 90% specificity for L/S nerve root compression

• Valsalva Maneuver

• Positive if increase in radicular symptoms

• Spinal Percussion

• Pain may indicate metastatic disease, abscess or osteomyelitis

Examinations: Merck Manual Professional

How To Test Reflexes

How To Do A Sensory Exam

How To Do A Motor Examination

Dermatomes

Testing Cervical Nerve Roots

Testing Lumbosacral Nerve Roots

Specific Radiculopathy Patterns

• T1 radiculopathy can cause Horner’s syndrome

• This is due to affect on cervical sympathetic ganglia
• Ptosis, miosis, anhidrosis

• Below L1, radiculopathies can cause Cauda Equina syndrome

• Saddle anesthesia (sensory loss in S2-S5 distribution)
• Urinary retention or overflow incontinence
• Constipation, decreased rectal tone or fecal incontinence
• Loss of erectile function
• Must be referred for emergency care immediately to prevent permanent dysfunction

Other Patterns Of Neuropathy

• Cape/Shawl distribution of symptoms

• Intramedullary lesion
• Syringomyelia
• Intramedullary tumor
• Central cord damage

• Stocking and Glove Distribution of Symptoms

• Diabetes mellitus
• B12 deficiency
• Alcoholism/hepatitis
• HIV
• Thyroid dysfunction/myxedema

Cape/Shawl Pattern

• Intramedullary lesion such as tumor, syringomyelia or hyperextension injury in patient with C/S spondylosis

• Loss of pain and temp sensation in C/T dermatomes because of arrangement of lateral spinothalamic tract

Stocking & Glove Pattern 

• Symmetrical polyneuropathy
• Feet/legs usually affected first, followed by hands/arms
• Vibration sensation in the smallest toes is usually the first thing lost and neuropathy progresses across foot to great toe and then upward through the ankle and leg, then hands, arms and finally trunk if sever
• Most likely cause of this distribution is diabetes mellitus, but other possible causes include B12 deficiency, alcoholism, HIV, chemotherapy treatment, thyroid dysfunction and multiple other causes

Diabetic Neuropathy

• Diabetic neuropathy often presents as a polyneuropathy but can also present as a mononeuropathy, usually with acute onset
• Most common in CN III, femoral and sciatic nerves

Demyelinating Neuropathies

• Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (Guillain-Barré syndrome)
• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (AIDP)

• Onset 1-2 weeks post viral infection
• Progressive weakness
• Loss of DTRs/areflexia
• Paresthesia in hands and feet
• More motor involvement than sensory
• Potential autonomic fiber involvement
• Elevated CSF protein
• EMG/NCV studies indicate demyelination
• May require treatment with plasmapheresis or IV Ig therapy

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

• Appears similar to AIDP but does not follow infection
• Symptoms must be present for at least 8 weeks for this diagnosis to be considered
• Anti-inflammatory treatments may help

By Rachel Klein, ND, DC, DACNB

National University of Health Sciences Master of Science (MS) - Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) MS ACP 551: Clinical Neurology © 2018

Sources

Blumenfeld, Hal. Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases. Sinauer, 2002.

Evans, Ronald C. Illustrated Orthopedic Physical Assessment. Mosby/Elsevier, 2009.

“Radial Nerve Entrapment: Background, Anatomy, Pathophysiology.” Medscape, 25 Oct. 2017, emedicine.medscape.com/article/1244110- overview#a8.

Neuropathy Presentation: El Paso, TX. Chiropractor, Dr. Alexander Jimenez presents an overview of neuropathy. These are the most common neuropathies to be seen in practice. Neuropathy is a medical term used to characterize damage or injury to the nerves, which refers to the peripheral nerves as opposed to the central nervous system. The complications which follow neuropathy depends largely on the type of nerves that are affected. According to Dr. Alex Jimenez, different neuropathies can cause numbness and tingling sensations, increased pain or the loss of ability to feel pain, muscle weakness along with twitching and cramps, even dizziness and/or loss of control over bladder function.

Neuropathy

Three primary classifications based on location of symptoms:

• Mononeuropathy (focal)
• Mononeuropathy multiplex (multifocal)
• Polyneuropathy (generalized)
• Can involve CNS and/or PNS
• Can affect large and/or small diameter fibers
• Can affect both sensory and motor fibers
• Sometimes one more than the other, but often both
• May be permanent or reversible

*https://neupsykey.com/muscle-weakness-cramps-and-stiffness/

Assessment Of Neuropathy

Sensory Exam:

• Determine What Sensory Modalities Are Involved

• If sensory disruption is limited to certain modalities, it implies CNS is involved
• If all sensation is affected in the area, implies PNS is involved

• Determine Pattern Of Symptoms

• Mononeuropathy (focal)?
• Mononeuropathy multiplex (multifocal)?
• Polyneuropathy (generalized)?

• Motor Exam

• Determine if there is change to muscle strength
• Determine if there is a change in muscle tone
• Determine which muscles are affected
• Determine if there has been a change in reflexes
• This information can help determine the level(s) of involvement

• Check For Autonomic Signs

• Auscultate heart
• Palpate palms
• Auscultate abdomen
• Assess autonomic history
• For example, is patient complaining about sweating more on one side than another? Complaining of stress levels?
• Suggest ANS involvement

Exams: Merck Manual Professional Version

How To Test Reflexes

How To Do The Sensory Exam

How To Do The Motor Examination

Classification Of Nerve Injuries Resulting In Neuropathy

• Neurapraxia - This is a transient episode of motor paralysis with little or no sensory or autonomic dysfunction; no disruption of the nerve or its sheath occurs; with removal of the compressing force, recovery should be complete
• Axonotmesis - This is a more severe nerve injury, in which the axon is disrupted but the Schwann sheath is maintained; motor, sensory, and autonomic paralysis results; recovery can occur if the compressing force is removed in a timely fashion and if the axon regenerates
• Neurotmesis - This is the most serious injury, in which both the nerve and its sheath are disrupted; although recovery may occur, it is always incomplete, secondary to loss of nerve continuity

Brachial Plexopathies

• Erb’s Palsy
• Klumke’s Palsy

Erb’s Palsy

• AKA Erb–Duchenne palsy or Waiter's tip palsy
• Most common mechanism of injury in adults is a patient who fall forward while holding onto something behind them
• Can also happen to an infant during childbirth  Results from damage to C5-6 nerve roots in the brachial plexus
• Dermatomal distribution of sensory disruption
• Weakness or paralysis in deltoid, biceps, and brachialis muscles resulting in “waiter’s tip” position

Klumke’s Palsy

• AKA Dejerine–Klumpke palsy
• Happens to infants during childbirth if arm is pulled overhead
• Can also happen to adults with overhead traction injuries
• Results from damage to C8-T1 nerve roots in the brachial plexus
• Dermatomal distribution of sensory disruption
• Weakness or paralysis in wrist flexors and pronators as well as muscles of the hand
• May produce Horner’s syndrome due to T1 involvement
• Results in a “claw hand” appearance
• Forearm supinated with wrist hyperextended, with finger flexion

Entrapment Neuropathies

• Thoracic Outlet Syndromes
• Median Nerve Entrapment
• Pronator Teres syndrome
• Carpal Tunnel syndrome
• Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
• Cubital Tunnel syndrome
• Tunnel of Guyon syndrome
• Radial Nerve Entrapment
• Spiral Groove Entrapment
• Supinator Syndrome
• Posterior Interosseous Syndrome (Radial Tunnel Syndrome)
• Sciatic Nerve Entrapment
• Piriformis syndrome
• Fibular head entrapment
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Thoracic Outlet Syndromes

• Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome

• Compression of the brachial plexus

• Vascular thoracic outlet syndrome

• Veins (venous thoracic outlet syndrome) or arteries (arterial thoracic outlet syndrome) are compressed

• Nonspecific-type thoracic outlet syndrome

• Worsens with activity
• Idiopathic

Causes

• Cervical rib
• Subclavius muscle tension
• Postural - excessive thoracic kyphosis
• Trauma
• Repetitive activity
• Obesity
• Pregnancy

Tests

• Adsons test
• Allen maneuver
• Costoclavicular maneuver
• Halstead maneuver
• Reverse bakody maneuver
• Roos test
• Shoulder compression test
• Wright test

Median Nerve Entrapment

• Sensory disruption in the lateral portion (3.5 fingers) of the palmar aspect of the hand, and dorsal finger tips of the same fingers
• Motor fibers affected in forearm if applicable, muscles of the thenar eminence
• Abductor pollicis brevis
• Opponens pollicis
• Flexor pollicis brevis

Median N. Pronator Teres Syndrome

Etiology

• Compression of the median nerve at the elbow

Causes

• Repetitive movement
• Pronator teres muscle inflammation
• Thickened bicipital aponeurosis

Findings

• Tenderness with palpation of the pronator teres muscle
• Pain with resisted pronation of the arm
• Flexor pollicus longus and flexor digitorum profundus involvement
• Otherwise may appear similar to carpal tunnel syndrome in symptoms, but without positive wrist orthopedics

Median N. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Etiology

• Compression of the median nerve at the wrist

Causes

• Repetitive motions
• Hypothyroidism
• Obesity
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Pregnancy

Orthopedic Tests

Tinel’s Sign

• Positive if tapping over the median nerve reproduces/exacerbates symptoms

Phalen’s Maneuver/Prayer Sign

• Hands together with wrists flexed
• Repeat in reverse with wrists extended
• Hold each for at least 60 seconds
• Positive if tests reproduce/exacerbate symptoms

Wringing Test

• Wringing a towel produces paresthesia

Ulnar Nerve Entrapment

• Sensory disruption in the medial two digits of the palmar & dorsal aspects of the hand
• Motor fibers affected in hand, all fingers besides the thumb weakened general hand weakness

Ulnar N. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Etiology

• Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow

Causes

• Repetitive motions
• Hypothyroidism
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Trauma to the cubital tunnel
• Prolonged sitting with pressure on bent elbow

Ulnar N. Tunnel Of Guyon Syndrome

Etiology

• Compression of the ulnar nerve at the wrist

Causes

Repetitive motions

• Long term crutch use
• Break of the hamate
• Ganglion cyst
• Hypothyroidism
• Obesity
• RheumatoidArthritis
• Diabetes

Orthopedic Tests

Tinel’s Sign

• Present if test over the ulnar nerve at the wrist elicits symptoms

Wartenberg Sign

• 5th digit abducts when patient performs hard grip strength test or attempts to squeeze fingers together
• Reduced two-point discrimination in the hand

Radial Nerve Entrapment

• Sensory disruption in the lateral 3.5 digits of the dorsal aspect of the hand
• Motor fibers affected in posterior arm and extensor compartment of the forearm
• Wrist drop may be seen

Spiral Groove Entrapment

• All radial nerve innervated muscles below entrapment are affected
• “Saturday night palsy” (from sleeping on own arm)
• Brachioradialis & triceps reflexes both diminished

Supinator Syndrome

• Compression at the arcade of Frohse
• No change in reflexes

Posterior Interosseous Syndrome (Radial Tunnel Syndrome)

• No change in reflexes

By Rachel Klein, ND, DC, DACNB

National University of Health Sciences Master of Science (MS) - Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) MS ACP 551: Clinical Neurology © 2018

Sources

Blumenfeld, Hal. Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases. Sinauer, 2002.

Evans, Ronald C. Illustrated Orthopedic Physical Assessment. Mosby/Elsevier, 2009.

“Radial Nerve Entrapment: Background, Anatomy, Pathophysiology.” Medscape, 25 Oct. 2017, emedicine.medscape.com/article/1244110- overview#a8.

Neuropathy affects about 8 percent of individuals over the age of 55. Your nervous system is composed of 2 parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The nerves of your peripheral nervous system transmit messages between your central nervous system, that is your brain and spinal cord, along with the rest of the body.

These nerves regulate a massive range of functions throughout the body, such as voluntary muscle movement, involving the motor nerves, involuntary organ action, through the autonomic nerves, and also the perception of stimuli, involving the sensory nerves. Peripheral neuropathy, which is often simply referred to as “neuropathy,” is a state that happens when your nerves become damaged or injured, often times simply disrupted. It’s estimated that neuropathy affects roughly 2.4 percent of the general populace and approximately 8 percent of people older than age 55. However, this quote doesn’t include people affected by neuropathy caused by physical trauma to the nerves.

Back pain is one of the most common complaints reported by a majority of the population. Affecting many people temporarily or for an extended period of time at least once throughout their lifetime, back pain is generally the result of trauma from an accident, injury or due to an aggravated medical condition.

But, can an improper diet based on refined sugar and processed fat cause back pain?

Researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Icahn School of Medicine believe that consuming an excess amount of these foods can cause inflammation in the body which may gradually degenerate the intervertebral discs, cartilaginous joints found between each vertebrae that act as shock absorbers and ligaments for all the movements of the spine. The degeneration of these structures may lead to back pain and other spinal complications.

Furthermore, an improper nutrition is also associated with the development of type 2 diabetes, another factor which may cause changes to the spine that could also lead to back pain and other painful symptoms.

Pesticides are some of the most harmful substances found in our environment today. The primary function of these chemicals is to eradicate unwanted insects, plants, molds and rodents. They are also utilized in a variety of settings, including homes and schools.

Chemicals referred to as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and bactericides are all different forms of pesticides. This includes: bug bombs, ant spray, mosquito spray, mosquito fogging, termicides, flea and tick spray, lice treatments, bee and wasp spray, weed prevention, weed abatement, crop spraying and rodent control. Individuals with allergies, asthma or nerve damage may have already be affected by the pesticides in the environment.

Prolonged exposure to pesticides has been previously associated with poor mental development, autism and ADHD. One research study even determined that pesticides may be capable of inducing some of the core characteristics of pervasive development disorders or autism. Further experimental and observational research data suggested a connection between parental pesticide exposure and physical birth defects, low birth weight and fetal death.

A research study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in September 2015 demonstrated that nearly 50 percent of adults in the United States may have pre-diabetes or diabetes.

Approximately 9 out of 10 people may have undiagnosed pre-diabetes while 1 out of every 4 people may have undiagnosed diabetes. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control also revealed that about 30 percent of all individuals with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years.

While these statistics have become dangerously alarming in the United States, the increasing issue of pre-diabetes and diabetes cases in adults has been growing throughout the world. Over the last decade, for instance, Great Britain has seen a drastic rise in both pre-diabetes and diabetes cases as well. According to a BBC News report, approximately more than one-third of British adults have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, as compared to a 2003 report, where only 11.6 percent of British adults had been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. By 2011, the amount of individuals diagnosed with the conditions had almost tripled to about 35.3 percent.

Pre-diabetes is medically characterized as having a fasting blood sugar of 100-125 mg/dl or a hemoglobin A1C of 5.7-6.4 percent. Researchers medically defined diabetes as having a fasting blood sugar greater than 126 mg/dl or a hemoglobin A1C > 6.5 percent, a measure of long term glucose control.

Throughout the United States, U.K., and Australia, more and more cases of liver disease are arising in the absence of alcohol abuse. Decades ago, we only saw conditions like Fatty Liver Disease and cirrhosis occur as a direct result of excessive alcohol indulgence, however, this trend has changed in the current day. Today, more and more adults and children are being diagnosed with NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD).

NAFLD is a medical condition that is characterized by an excessive accumulation of fats, within liver cells. This means normal, healthy liver tissue becomes partly replaced with fatty tissue. The fat starts to invade the liver, gradually infiltrating the healthy liver areas, decreasing the amount of healthy active liver tissue. While it’s normal for your liver to contain some fat, accumulations of more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your liver’s weight are problematic. 70 million Americans have fatty liver disease and don’t even know it.

Did you ever let your foot fall asleep and suffer first from numbness and then from a tingling, pins-and-needles sensation while it “awakened”? People with peripheral neuropathy suffer from those types of sensations all the time. And there’s growing evidence that peripheral neuropathy is linked with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that occurs from damaged nerves in the arms, legs, hands, and feet. Commonly, symptoms experienced as a result of this are numbness, tingling, burning, and pain. The condition has a number of different causes, such as, diabetes, chemotherapy, statin medications, disc herniation and traumas, toxic metal exposure, chronic alcohol consumption and vitamin deficiencies. Now, however, scientists have linked peripheral nerve damage to gluten sensitivity and celiac disease.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, spelt, kamut and barley. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that wreaks havoc on the digestive tract. When a person afflicted with celiac’s eats even the tiniest bit of gluten it causes damage to the small intestine and interferes with nutrient absorption. In many cases, the inability to absorb nutrients can stunt growth, weaken bones and damage peripheral nerves resulting in neuropathy.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 29 million type 2 diabetes cases have currently been diagnosed in the United States, where another 8.1 million cases are undiagnosed. Diabetes can have various serious complications, including the development of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated that between 60 and 70 percent of individuals diagnosed with diabetes have some form of neuropathy. Patients with diabetes often report experiencing symptoms of pain and discomfort, while other may report minor or no symptoms at all. Nerve damage can even manifest up to 10 years after being diagnosed with diabetes.

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Diabetic neuropathy can occur due to an extended period of elevated blood sugar levels. High, unregulated blood glucose can cause injury to the vessels that supply the body's nerves with the proper nutrition and oxygen they require to function accordingly. Over time, the nerves can become damaged, impairing the nervous system's ability to communicate effectively. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can vary greatly depending on the severity and extent of the nerve damage.