Nerve Pain and Neuropathy Specialist in South Delhi
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy refers to all the conditions wherein the peripheral nervous system is damaged, creating serious consequences for the body. Our nervous system has two parts:
- The central nervous system consisting of the brain and spine – the command centre
- The peripheral nervous system consisting of the other nerves in the body – the messenger
The peripheral nerves are responsible for transmitting signals from the brain to different parts of the body and relay back information from the body and the environment back to the brain. They are responsible for body movements (motor nerves) such as walking or talking, skin sensations (sensory nerves) like touch, temperature, and pain, and involuntary functions (autonomic nerves) like breathing, BP, heart rate, digestion, and bladder function. When these nerves are damaged the messages get distorted, leading to sensations of pain, tingling, or even a complete loss of feeling.
The damage to peripheral nerves can happen due to a number of reasons including trauma, infections, inherited conditions, autoimmune conditions, nutritional deficiencies, tumours, metabolic disorders, and so on. One of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes wherein uncontrolled blood sugar levels damage peripheral nerves. Diabetic neuropathy causes tingling, pain, and/or numbness in hands, legs, and feet.
More than 100 peripheral neuropathies have been identified based on the nerves affected, the pattern of damage or the underlying cause. While many forms of peripheral neuropathy can be effectively treated or managed, the approach varies significantly based on the underlying cause and the pattern of nerve damage.
Common Symptoms People Ignore
The symptoms experienced by an individual depend on the type of neuropathy, the affected body part, as well as, the severity of the condition. Here are the common symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy:
- Numbness and tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Burning/ stabbing/ throbbing pain
- Painful cramps
- Muscle twitching
- Loss of sensation/ feeling in body parts
- Loss of balance, coordination
- Loss of reflexes
- Inability to feel touch or vibrations
- Inability to feel heat, pain or coldness
While peripheral neuropathy is often considered just pins and needles, numbness, and tingling in affected body parts, there are several lesser-known symptoms that people don’t associate with peripheral neuropathy and ignore. These are often the symptoms arising out of damage to the autonomic nerves.
- Heat intolerance
- Excessive sweating or inability to sweat
- Bowel, bladder & digestive issues
- Blood pressure drops
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Loss of muscle and bone
- Sexual dysfunction
- Inability to swallow or eat
- Changes in hair, nail or skin colour
- Glove & stocking sensation
- Blurry vision
When to Worry?
It is advisable to visit a specialist like Dr. Rahul Chawla, the best Peripheral Neuropathy Doctor in Vasant Kunj, if you are noticing any of the symptoms as early diagnosis is a gamechanger for patients with peripheral neuropathy. It is particularly so in cases where early intervention can reverse symptoms or limit the effects.
Even though peripheral neuropathy is not a life-threatening condition, immediate medical attention may be required under the following attention.
- Stroke-Like Symptoms: (link to stroke page) Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Rapidly Progressing Weakness: Symptoms develop or worsen rapidly.
- Cardiac Red Flags: An irregular, rapid, or dangerously slow heart rate.
- Safety Risks: Dizziness or passing out upon standing up
- Severe Motor Impairment: A total loss of feeling in or inability to move hands or feet.
- Critical Organ Issues: Sudden changes in bowel movements, severe pain/trouble during urination, or difficulty breathing and swallowing.
- Infection Risks: A cut or ulcer on the foot that is not healing (common in diabetic patients).
- Sensory Overload: Extreme sensitivity to even a light touch, such as the weight of a bedsheet.
Relief from Nerve Pain is Possible!
The key to managing peripheral neuropathy is accurate diagnosis and early interventions. If you or your loved ones are experiencing any of the symptoms, consult with Dr. Rahul Chawla for expert nerve pain treatment in South Delhi that improves your quality of life.
How is Diagnosis Done?
Initial Consultation: The neurologist will ask question to gather information about your symptoms, their onset, and frequency. They will also gather information about any pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, your personal, family medical history, and your overall lifestyle, nutrition, and habits.
Clinical Examination: The doctor will conduct a thorough physical and neurological examination to check your general health, ability to feel sensations, reflexes, muscle strength, balance, coordination, and motor functions.
Diagnostic Tests: Depending upon the need, the doctor may order certain tests to confirm the diagnosis. These may include:
- Blood tests to check for infections, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, etc.
- CT and MRI scans
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Nerve Conduction Studies
- Other nerve function tests
- Nerve biopsy
- Skin biopsy
- Genetic testing
Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment in South Delhi
The treatment for peripheral neuropathy depends on the patient’s symptoms and the type, location, and severity of nerve damage. In some cases where the underlying cause can be corrected, it can resolve the neuropathy with the nerves recovering and regrowing. Dr. Rahul Chawla, leading Nerve Pain and Neuropathy Specialist in South Delhi, adopts a patient-focused, evidence-based approach to designing the treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy. The treatment plan may include the following:
Medications: The doctor may prescribe pain-relief medicines in the form of pills, topical medications, patches, slow-release medicines, or injections, among others. Specialized medications may also be prescribed for nerve healing and growth, and to address underlying causes like irregular heart rhythm, nutritional deficiencies, and so on. This will be tailored to each patient’s unique medical profile and needs.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy may be recommended to patients recovering from medical procedures or injuries, or those with balance and coordination challenges, helping retrain the nervous system, improve pain symptoms, and prevent falls and further injuries.
Complementary Therapies: The doctor may suggest scrambler therapy that retrains the brain to think there is no pain by sending non-pain electrical signals. For those with inflammation and autoimmune conditions, the doctor may prescribe steroids, immune therapies, and plasma exchange.
Devices & Wearables: Neurostimulator devices may be suggested for pain blocking and spinal cord stimulation. Special footwear, braces, walkers, and canes may be suggested to help prevent complications and reduce risks of falls or accidents.
Alternative Therapies: The doctor may suggest alternative therapies like Acupuncture, Yoga, and Foot Care/ Podiatric care where it may be useful.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to
- sever or remove damaged nerves
- reconnect cut nerves
- relieve pain caused by trapped nerves or nerve compression
Lifestyle Modifications: Lifestyle modifications may also help manage Peripheral Neuropathy and provide lasting relief to patients. Doctors may recommend the patients to adopt healthier habits, eat nourishing meals, include physical activity, and so on. In some cases, the effective control of underlying causes like Type 2 Diabetes, smoking, or alcoholism may help reduce or eliminate symptoms and manage pain.
Common Myths About Peripheral Neuropathy
| Myth | Fact |
| Only diabetics get neuropathy. | While diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy, it is definitely not the only one. Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by vitamin deficiencies, injury, autoimmune diseases, tumours, infections, and so on. |
| Peripheral neuropathy is an ‘old age’ problem. | While the risk of peripheral neuropathy is higher among the elderly, it can affect individuals of all ages, including children, depending upon the underlying causes/ triggers. Conditions like Type 2 Diabetes, traumatic injuries, and autoimmune diseases cause neuropathy, affecting people across age groups. |
| It is only the pins & needle sensation or numbness. | Peripheral neuropathy has a wide range of symptoms beyond the commonly-known numbness and tingling. Depending on whether the motor, sensory, or autonomic nerves are damaged, symptoms can include loss of reflexes, imbalance, digestive challenges, bladder problems, sexual dysfunctions, irregular heartbeat, etc. |
| Neuropathy always worsens overtime. | With accurate diagnosis, early evidence-based treatments, and a healthier lifestyle, neuropathy symptoms can be effectively managed, slowed down, or even eliminated. This is why it is important to consult a neurologist when you or your loved ones starts experiencing any of the symptoms. |
| If the symptoms are mild, peripheral neuropathy is not so serious. | People often brush off mild numbness or tingling as no big deal. However, even mild symptoms are early warning signs and should not be ignored. Early detection and intervention can prevent complications, long-term risks, and lifelong disability. |
Relief from Nerve Pain is Possible!
The key to managing peripheral neuropathy is accurate diagnosis and early interventions. If you or your loved ones are experiencing any of the symptoms, consult with Dr. Rahul Chawla for expert nerve pain treatment in South Delhi that improves your quality of life.
FAQs
Yes, peripheral nerves have the ability to regenerate, provided the underlying cause (like a vitamin deficiency or compression) is removed. However, the process is slow and nerves typically grow at a rate of about one inch per month.
Many patients find that burning or stabbing sensations peak at night. This can be due to a drop in body temperature, fewer distractions for the brain, or certain positions that put pressure on sensitive nerves.
While damaged nerves may not always return to 100% function, strict blood sugar control can stop the damage from progressing and significantly reduce pain levels. Dr. Rahul Chawla, a trusted diabetic neuropathy specialist in Delhi, stresses upon the criticality of early intervention to saving nerve function and managing pain.
Doctors typically collect detailed medical history and conduct physical and neurological exams, followed by tests such as blood work, NCS, EMG, and so on. To confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of damage, Dr. Rahul Chawla expertly performs neuro-diagnostic tests like EMG & NCS tests in Delhi to accurately diagnose peripheral neuropathy. He orders these tests only when it genuinely necessary to diagnose the condition and tailor the treatment plan.
While generally not life-threatening, peripheral neuropathy can be dangerous in some cases where it affects autonomic functions (like heart rate or blood pressure) or leads to undetected infections (like foot ulcers). Further, it brings a significant risk of lifelong disability, if not diagnosed and managed in the early stages. For accurate diagnosis and individualized, empathetic peripheral neuropathy treatments in Delhi, schedule an appointment with Dr. Rahul Chawla.