5 Stages of Neuropathy in Vacaville

If you suffer from peripheral neuropathy in Vacaville, then you understand that it is not static but it's a progressive condition.

This means that it requires appropriate attention for it to be treated because if not, it's just going to keep getting more and more sever.

The way that neuropathy gets worse is because of the nature of its symptoms. These symptoms change over time as the nerves become progressively more damaged.

5 stages of peripheral neuropathy in Vacaville

To help you get a better understanding, check out the course of the disease in five separate stages.

• Stage 1: Intermittent pain and numbness
  • At this stage, you'll notice the early signs that something isn't right with the nerves on your feet. The symptoms may be subtle and they may occur quite rarely. You will experience brief episodes of unexplained foot pain but goes away on its own in a few weeks or months.
  • During these episodes, your feet will feel like they're very slightly numbed. This sensation is more noticeable at night especially when the bedsheets brush against your skin.
  • Your balance and reflexes will also start to suffer, but not in a way that you will notice on your own.
• Stage 2: More constant pain
  • There is no clear line between stage 1 and stage 2. But you'll notice that as soon as you move into this stage, the episodes of pain are becoming more intense and happens more frequently - although they are still intermittent.
  • Even though you were able to ignore the early warning signs in stage 1, this time it becomes more unbearable. This is the time where you feel like you'll need the help of your primary care physician, and you may even have to get your blood sugar issues diagnosed.
• Stage 3: The height of the pain
  • This is the stage where the pain happens more constantly and probably on its worst form ever.
  • Your lifestyle may be severely impacted by the pain and there's a chance that you're taking medications to manage these symptoms. However, most of these medications can produce side effects like dizziness, fatigue, and even depression.
  • But the pain itself is only a portion of the issue. Since your nerves aren't communicating that well with your brain anymore, you are unlikely to notice any injuries that happen to your feet. Cuts and blisters can start to fester and since your immune system will be compromised, even these minor injuries can turn into major ulcers.
  • Ulcers are known for being the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations in the lower limbs. However, if the infections aren't controlled, there's a possibility that a part of your limb has to be removed. Even if your feet will be saved, the process will still be time consuming, disruptive, expensive, and painful.
• Stage 4: Numbness starts to set in
  • As you proceed to stage 4, the pain will start declining and you're starting to experience intermittent episodes of significant pain relief.
  • Even though that the limiting pain feels like a relief, this is the part where it gets sadder.
  • The reason why you feel like your symptoms are improving is because your nerves have already started to disintegrate. These small fibers are almost completely gone while the large fibers start disappearing as well.
  • Of course, you might feel better during this stage but the numbness will make it more difficult to walk and balance properly. And if you have diabetes, you will start experiencing other complications like retinopathy or kidney failure. Lastly, the risk of major foot-related complications continues to rise at alarming rates.
• Stage 5: Total loss of sensation
  • Once you make it to stage 5, your nerves are now so shot that you don't feel any pain at all. This means that the link to your brain has been completely severed.
  • The risk of amputation, ulceration, and other related complications are at their absolute highest. It becomes extremely difficult for you to balance and walk on steady feet. You will have limited mobility and you may even end up in a wheelchair. Driving a car is even impossible because you can't feel the pedals with your feet.

So, if you start experiencing any of the first signs of neuropathy, don't just ignore it and have yourself consulted by your health care physician right away. At this point, you should get in touch with Dr. Alex Tam of Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine by dialing (707) 474-5688 right away. Through this, your condition will be assessed and you will be given immediate care as soon as possible.