Neuropathy Specialist

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a broad term for diseases affecting the nerves outside of your spinal cord that make up your peripheral nervous system. Examples of neuropathic disorders include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Ulnar neuropathy
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
• Postherpetic neuralgia

Neuropathic conditions cause symptoms such as tingling, burning, weakness, and numbness that typically affect your arms and/or legs, but in most patients, pain is the most prominent symptom.

What causes neuropathy?

Neuropathy develops when one or more nerves suffer some form of damage. Causes of this damage could range from compression of the nerve by thickened ligaments or bone spurs to diseases that disrupt nerve transmissions to your brain. 

Examples of neuropathy causes include:

• Autoimmune diseases
• Diabetes
• Viral or bacterial infections
• Inherited disorders like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
• Tumors
• Bone marrow disorders
• Hypothyroidism
• Alcoholism
• Industrial chemicals or heavy metals like lead and mercury
• Chemotherapy
• Vitamin deficiencies

Nerves can also malfunction for no apparent reason, causing pain and other symptoms without any tissue damage. That is called idiopathic neuropathy, and while there's no identifiable reason for your pain, the effects are exactly the same in terms of the discomfort you feel.

How is neuropathy diagnosed?

When you visit Houston Neurological Institute, your provider performs a comprehensive evaluation to determine what's causing your neuropathy. They interview you to find out as much as possible about your symptoms and do a physical exam to locate the source of the problem.

One of the tests they perform for suspected neuropathy is an EMG (electromyography) with nerve conduction velocity (NCV) studies. The EMG and NCV assess how well your nerves are functioning in the affected area and nearby.

Depending on what they find during your physical exam, you might also need to undergo an MRI of your neck or back and blood tests. Once your provider locates the cause of your neuropathy, they can prepare a treatment plan for you.

How is neuropathy treated?

A variety of treatments can help with neuropathy. The right choice for you depends on what's causing your condition, but could include:

• Medication
• Topical cream containing capsaicin
• Physical therapy
• Splinting
• Steroid injections
• Botox® injections
• Surgery

Houston Neurological Institute aims to find the cause of your condition to create a treatment program that addresses your specific problems. Investigations typically take place within a week, but while you're undergoing tests, your provider gives you symptomatic relief to minimize your discomfort.

If you're experiencing any symptoms of neuropathy, call Houston Neurological Institute and schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.