What can you do for neuropathy in your feet?

An in-depth study shows that over 20 million people in the US suffer from some form of peripheral neuropathy. The condition may result in weakness, pain, tingling, and numbness in either your hands or feet. Moreover, those symptoms can significantly impact your mood, sleeping experience, and quality of life.

More often than not, people opt for medications to ease their pain. However, extensive studies suggest that pills may relieve pain by 30 to 50%. Luckily, there’s a wide variety of ways you can seek relief from. Below we’ve rounded the tops ways you can prevent the worsening of your condition: 

What is Peripheral Neuropathy? 

It is a condition that occurs because of damage to your peripheral nerves. Present outside your brain and spinal cord; these nerves are used to send messages via the brain to other parts of your body. 

When these vital nerves are injured, your body cannot adequately react to pain, temperature, and other reflexes. Besides this, you may experience an overall feeling of weakness, as well as pain and numbness in your body. Typically, neuropathy affects your hands and feet. 

What are the Causes of Neuropathy 

Neuropathy doesn’t occur because of one single reason. In fact, several different diseases may lead to nerve damage. These are:

• Diabetes mellitus 
• Autoimmune diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, lupus, vasculitis, and so on
• Alcoholism 
• Infections like 
• Traumatic injury
• Inherited disorders
• Other diseases like kidney diseases, an underactive thyroid, and such 
• Tumors
• Bone marrow diseases
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Side effects of medications 
• Trauma on your peripheral nerves
• Vitamin deficiencies 

Ways to Naturally Ease Pain due To Neuropathy 

Expedite your foot health by trying the following natural ways to ease the pain:

Control Your Blood Sugar  

An in-depth study suggests that over 30% of people who have diabetes end up developing autonomic neuropathy. Not just this, but lack of monitoring your diabetes means it’s likely your blood glucose levels will spike up. 

Accumulation of excess blood sugar will start damaging your peripheral nerves. These nerves transfer messages from your brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. If impaired, you may end up with diabetic neuropathy. 

On the flip side, lowering your blood sugar to a healthy number, aka hemoglobin reading below 7%, reduces the risk of nerve damage by a staggering 60%. Moreover, research shows that healthy blood sugar can slow the worsening of the condition and ease the pain. 

To keep your blood sugar in check, talk with your doctor. A professional’s input will help you bring your blood sugar levels down in a healthier way. They may even suggest consuming more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Furthermore, you’ll have to keep your body weight in check, as well as your stress levels. In certain cases, you would need to take prescribed medications to control your sugar levels.

Get Your Vitamins 

Peripheral neuropathy may be associated with vitamin deficiency, as well. It is because vitamins help enhance the health of your nerves. 

Vitamin B

Lack of sufficient vitamin B12 results in impairment of peripheral nerves. At the same time, B6 helps the brain fabricate the chemicals necessary to convey vital information within your body.  On the flip side, a decrease in these chemicals may expedite pain.

Typically, you gain an adequate amount of vitamin B through your meals. However, you may discuss this with your doctor to receive supplements. In fact, experts boast of studies showing that supplements are an excellent way to reduce neuropathy related pain.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is another easy yet effective way to prevent neuropathy symptoms. Your skin usually generates vitamin D upon colliding with sunlight. 

In-depth research by the Britain’s University of Sheffield shows that diabetic neuropathic patients with lower levels of this vitamin experienced a higher amount of pain. It means that taking supplements is a sure way to reduce the pain. 

However, the recommended amount for this is around 600 to 800IU, which is impossible via simply food. This is why it’s a good idea to consume supplements.

Give up Smoking 

Smoking can negatively impact your circulation, leading to the narrowing of blood vessels. It results in low levels of oxygen moving through the body. In turn, you may experience a higher amount of neuropathy complications. 

For instance, the numbness and pain may increase. Once you stop smoking, you’ll notice an improvement in symptoms.  

Avoid Alcohol 

Excessive use of alcohol can worsen neuropathy in your feet. Experts recommend that women limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day, and men to two drinks a day. 

Take a Warm Bath 

Soak into a warm bath to relax. Not just this, but taking a warm bath can boost proper blood flow through your body. Ultimately, it helps ease the pain while decreasing symptoms of numbness. 

A pro tip for those dealing with peripheral neuropathy and not sensitive to temperature is always making sure the water isn’t too hot. 

Exercise Daily 

Alleviate pain symptoms by exercising daily. It is the perfect way to put a stop to the deteriorating health of your nerves. Moreover, it helps ensure your blood sugar levels are always at an optimum range. 

On top of this, exercising for about 30 minutes a day promotes healthy blood flow to your arms and legs. Besides this, it offers stress relief and uplifts your mood. An in-depth study conducted by the University of Kansas Medical Center boasts that diabetic neuropathy patients exercising experienced no pain when performing everyday activities.  

Try Meditating 

A splendid way to ease neuropathy symptoms is trying various meditation techniques. Not to mention, meditation helps lower stress levels, lower pain intensity, and enhance your coping skills. The best part? A mind-body meditation approach offers greater control over your condition. 

On the other hand, diabetic neuropathy comprises anxiety and depression symptoms. Thus, meditation is a great way to relax. You may even try breathing exercises, massages, visualizing, yoga, and whatnot. If the symptoms are worsening, it’s always a good idea to contact your doctor. 

Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplements

Alpha-lipoic acid is naturally created within your body in smaller amounts. Consuming a substantial amount of this antioxidant can alleviate nerve pain symptoms alongside regulating blood sugar levels.

To support this claim, an in-depth study shows how patients that took 600mgs of this antioxidant noticed an incredible improvement in diabetic neuropathy symptoms by 19%. All in a mere five weeks.  It makes it obvious that alpha-lipoic damage can protect your nerves from additional damage. 

Acupuncture 

Another fantastic natural way to alleviate neuropathic pain in your feet is trying acupuncture. Here users boost natural healing via stimulating the pressure points of their bodies. In turn, they trigger their nervous system. 

Next, your nervous system releases copious amounts of chemicals that modify your pain threshold. Not to mention, this innovative technology offers a remarkable energy balance that rejuvenates your emotional state as well. 

Take Extra Care of Your Feet

If you’re suffering from diabetic neuropathy, taking care of your feet is essential. Ensure you don’t get any blisters, calluses, patches, or cuts. 

Moreover, pull on soft and loose cotton socks to cover your feet. Next, wear padded and comfy shoes. 

Medications to Ease Your Neuropathy Pain 

Apart from the above mentioned natural ways to get relief, you may try medications targeted to help those suffering from neuropathy. These are as follows:

Over-the-Counter Medications

Several over-the-counter pills such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and so on are known to provide relief. Moreover, if you experience severe symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medications. 

On the other hand, if you take painkillers daily without any prescription, it’s a good idea to discuss it with your doctor. Prolonged usage of certain pills increases the risk of kidney damage, stroke, or heart attack. 

Anti-Seizure Pills

Gabapentin and pregabalin, among other medications used to treat epilepsy, can ease nerve pain as well. Its side effects may make you drowsy or dizzy.

Topical Treatments 

Capsaicin cream boasts substances similar to those in hot peppers. It helps lessen peripheral neuropathy symptoms. However, the downside is that your skin may burn to irritate on places the cream has been applied. The good news; it lessens with use.  

At the same time, you may try lidocaine patches to ease the pain. Here too, you may suffer from side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, or numbness. 

Antidepressants 

Antidepressants such as doxepin, amitriptyline, and nortriptyline are a remarkable way to relieve pain. On the other hand, Cymbalta and Effexor can help relieve peripheral neuropathy pain in those with diabetes.

However, there are some side effects of taking antidepressants. It comprises drowsiness, decreased appetite, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, and dizziness.

The Takeaway 

Neuropathy in your feet can occur due to a wide variety of reasons. Luckily, there’s an extensive range of natural ways perfect for helping relieve your pain. If none of these are helpful, you may opt for medications.