Treating peripheral neuropathy
PERIPHERAL neuropathy is a chronic condition of increasing nerve damage. It has various causes and can affect different types of nerves and impair bodily functions.
Its symptoms are diverse – from unpleasant tingling to a burning sensation to extreme touch sensitivity and electric shock-like pain.
Numbness is also likely and may cause difficulties while walking or unconscious injuries.
Some symptoms include dizziness, tachycardia or muscle weakness and may be misinterpreted as signs of other diseases.
Early symptoms – such as sensations in the extremities or slight movement problems – may not seem to warrant a visit to the physician, yet it is important to seek professional advice.(1,2)
Some of the most common causes are diabetes, followed by alcohol abuse, chemotherapy, infections, inflammatory processes or deficiencies in essential B vitamins.
For some, the damage has more than one cause(3), while in more than a fifth of cases the cause is unknown.(1,2)
After diagnosing peripheral neuropathy, the physician will try to find out the cause.
After that, treatment options include – treatments according to guidelines, which focus on treating painful symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, but also others, which can be used in all stages of the disease.(4)
One established treatment option is a combination of neurotropic B vitamins B1, B6 and B12.
A recent study show such a combination can reduce tingling or numbness symptoms.(5)
Vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are crucial for nerve functions and can help recuperate nerve function or regenerate damaged nerve fibres, if the damage has not yet progressed too far.(6-10)
Vitamin B1 – facilitates the propagation of the nerve impulse.(7)
Vitamin B6 – promotes neurotransmission.(8)
Vitamin B12 – regenerates damaged nerve fibres.(9)
These three B vitamins are important for nerve health and work together in biochemical synergy.(6,11)
They are essential to a healthy nervous system acting via different modes of action and complementing each other.(6-10)
Damaged nerve fibres can be repaired only to an extent – nerve regeneration can be hindered by diseases and other causes mentioned previously, leading to the development of peripheral neuropathy.
Damage should be detected and treated at an early stage when nerve regeneration is still possible.
Early diagnosis and treatment are important to stop peripheral neuropathy, reduce symptoms effectively and maintain a quality of life for the long term.
To raise awareness for healthy nerves, Merck is providing tests at selected pharmacies nationwide, to encourage consumers to identify possible nerve damage and seek further medical consultation or treatment if needed.
This article is purely for informational purpose only. Consult a healthcare professional should you need medical advice, diagnosis or recommended treatment.
This article is brought to you by Merck Sdn Bhd.
(MYS-NEU-1808-0151)
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