How To Cope With Neuropathy in Caring For Your Loved One
Neuropathy
Different Types of Neuropathy
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Peripheral Neuropathy. Nerve problems that affect the spinal cord. It affects the nerves of feet, toes, legs, fingers, hands, arms, and face.
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Proximal Neuropathy. Nerve damage that produces pain. It affects the upper leg, butt, hips, and shoulders.
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Cranial Neuropathy. Nerve problems that occur from the damaged nerves that exit the brain. It affects the eyes and ears.
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Autonomic Neuropathy. Nerve damage to the nervous system. It can affect the heart, circulation system, digestion, and other organs in the body.
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Focal Neuropathy. Nerve or group of nerves that affect only one part of the body.
Understanding the disease
Some of these factors include:
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Family history of neuropathy
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Advancing age
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Alcohol abuse
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Disease conditions such as diabetes, cancer, thyroid dysfunction, kidney disease, or liver disease
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Various medications
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Vitamin deficiencies
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Autoimmune disease
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Infections
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Toxins and Poisons
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Traumatic Injuries
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Tumors
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Carpal tunnel
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Bell Palsy
Signs and symptoms
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Pain accompanied by numbness in the hands and feet
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Tingling sensation in the hands and feet
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Weakness in the hands and legs, which causes them to lose balance
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Loss of reflexes
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Sensitive to touch and temperature
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Muscle wasting
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Dizziness while getting up from bed or chair
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Sexual dysfunction
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Clumsiness
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Difficulty to stand for long periods of time
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Cramping
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Constipation or diarrhea
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Some instance nausea may occur
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digestive difficulty
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excessive sweating
The risk of neuropathy increases for people who
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Are overweight
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Have high blood pressure
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Are over the age of 40
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Have diabetes
Tips to cope with neuropathy
The lifestyle changes that can help your loved one include:
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Install night lights. With neuropathy, there is a chance of falling, especially during the night time. It is necessary to install night-lights in areas where it is dark and your loved one tends to use most during the night. These areas can be the passage to the toilet, or to the kitchen.
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Install grab bars. Your loved one will have an increased tendency to fall without support due to poor balance. It will be necessary to install grab bars in the bathrooms or in rooms where there is a chance to falling.
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Keep the head elevated. Dizziness is one of the major symptoms of neuropathy. And this particularly occurs while getting up from the chair or bed. In order to reduce the dizziness. You should help your loved one keep their head elevated at 30 degrees while sleeping. This will significantly help reduce the effect of dizziness.
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Use specialized utensils for eating. Numbness and tingling sensation in the hands and feet is a classic symptom of neuropathy. This makes carrying out daily tasks such as eating, pretty much difficult. There are specially designed utensils available. To help our loved ones eat with their numb fingers.
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Caution in the kitchen. Your loved one may not be able to feel hot things and can burn themselves.
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Keep feet clean. Wash the feet with warm water and thoroughly dry the feet after washing.
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Keep the house and floors clean. To avoid infection or cuts.
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Protect the feet. Never go barefoot or wear improperly fitted shoes.
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Massage the feet or hands. It will improve circulation.
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Exercise or Yoga. To improve circulation as well.
Medications that help
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Tylenol or ibuprofen. To less minor pain
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Opioids. To relieve severe pain
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Topical cream medications. To relieve stiffness
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Certain prescriptions. To relieve certain symptoms or diseases associated with neuropathy.
Conclusion