Although
some causes have no cure
, many have symptoms that are temporary, painless, or respond to at home care. Several lifestyle habits, medications, and types of therapy can help reduce or prevent symptoms. People with unexplained numbness and tingling should talk to a doctor as early as possible.
How do doctors treat numbness?
Some common treatments for numbness include:
Nerve pain medications
. Controlling blood sugar in people with diabetes. Physical therapy exercises to strengthen the spine or help ease movement.
What kind of doctor do you see for numbness?
If you Experience Numbness or a Tingling Sensation
You may need to visit
a neurologist
if this happens suddenly or on one side of your body.
Can damaged nerves repair themselves?
When one of your nerves is cut or damaged,
it will try to repair itself
. The nerve fibres (axons) shrink back and ‘rest’ for about a month; then they begin to grow again. Axons will regenerate about 1mm per day. The extent to which your nerve will recover is variable, and it will always be incomplete.
What kind of doctor treats nerve damage?
Neurologists
are specialists who treat diseases of the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles. Neurological conditions include epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease. Dr.
When is nerve damage permanent?
As a specialist in peripheral nerve surgery, Dr. Seruya wants his patients to know that after a period of
12-18 months
nerve damage can become permanent.
How do doctors treat nerve damage?
The main medicines recommended for neuropathic pain include:
amitriptyline – also used for treatment of headaches and depression
.
duloxetine – also used for treatment of bladder problems and depression
.
pregabalin and gabapentin – also used to treat epilepsy, headaches or anxiety
.
Can tibial nerve damage be repaired?
In some cases, no treatment is needed, and people will recover on their own
. Severe loss of sensation may lead to toe or foot sores (ulcers) and infections. Surgery to enlarge the tarsal tunnel or transfer the nerve helps reduce pressure on the tibial nerve. This may help some people.
How do you repair nerve damage naturally?
Walk it off.
Exercise releases natural painkillers called endorphins
. Exercise also promotes blood flow to the nerves in the legs and feet. Researchers believe that regular exercise may create a long-lasting expansion in blood vessels in the feet, nourishing damaged nerves back to health.
How do you regenerate nerves naturally?
Green and leafy vegetables
. Broccoli, spinach and asparagus all contain vitamin B, a nutrient important for nerve regeneration and nerve function. Spinach, broccoli and kale also contain a micronutrient called alpha-lipoic acid that prevents nerve damage and improves nerve function.
Can neuropathy nerve damage be reversed?
If the underlying cause of the neuropathy can be treated and cured (such as neuropathy caused by a vitamin deficiency),
it’s possible that the neuropathy can be reversed too
. However, frequently by the time individuals are diagnosed with a neuropathy, there is some degree of permanent damage that can’t be fixed.
Does neurologist treat numbness?
When this pain is not something your primary care physician can help you manage,
you may choose to see a neurologist, especially if you have other symptoms along with the pain like weakness, numbness, or problems with bladder or bowel control.
Will an MRI show nerve damage?
An MRI may be able help identify structural lesions that may be pressing against the nerve
so the problem can be corrected before permanent nerve damage occurs. Nerve damage can usually be diagnosed based on a neurological examination and can be correlated by MRI scan findings.
Should I go to the doctor for numbness?
Call 911 or get emergency medical help if your numbness:
Begins suddenly, particularly if it’s accompanied by weakness or paralysis, confusion, difficulty talking, dizziness, or a sudden, severe headache.
How fast do nerves regrow?
On average, human peripheral nerves regenerate at a rate of approximately
1 inch per month
. This rate is close to the slow axonal transport rate and is largely dictated by the need to move neurofilaments and microtubules, building blocks of axons, through the long axons (6, 7).
What are signs of nerve regeneration?
It is important to differentiate this
tingling
from the pain sometimes produced by pressure on an injured nerve. The pain is a sign of irritation of the nerve; tingling is a sign of regeneration; or more precisely, tingling indicates the presence of young axons, in the process of growing.
When should I be worried about numbness?
If you feel numbness or tingling soon after a head, neck, or back injury
, get medical help right away. It’s also an emergency if you lose consciousness even for a little while. Someone should call 911 for you if: You lose muscle control.
Do you need surgery for nerve damage?
The pain, tingling, numbness and other discomforts of peripheral nerve disorders can often be treated successfully with physical therapy and other nonsurgical methods. But
in some cases, surgery offers the best chance of lasting relief
.
When should you see a neurologist?
Discomfort in individual sections of the body, paresis, standing/gait instability, lapses in consciousness or unusual headaches
are all reasons to be examined by a neurologist. A neurologist should also be consulted if a person is experiencing migraines, back pain or other chronic pain.
DO orthopedic surgeons treat nerve damage?
Orthopedic doctors and surgeons specialize in the spine and joints, which affect the whole body, so
they are highly skilled in addressing pinched nerves
and their effects on various parts of the body.
What happens if nerve damage goes untreated?
Left untreated, nerve damage
may worsen over time
. It can sometimes start in the nerves farthest from the brain and spinal cord — like those in the feet and hands. Then it may move up into the legs and arms.
What does a damaged nerve feel like?
Difficulty moving a body part
When a particular body part is suddenly difficult or impossible to move, this could mean there is motor nerve damage. Weakness or paralysis could also be a sign of a stroke, so you will definitely want to seek immediate medical attention.
What promotes nerve healing?
Magnesium
promotes the regeneration of the peripheral nerve.
Is nerve damage life threatening?
Symptoms can range from mild to disabling and are
rarely life-threatening
. The symptoms depend on the type of nerve fibers affected and the type and severity of damage. Symptoms may develop over days, weeks, or years.
What are the stages of nerve healing?
To achieve full recovery, the nerve must undergo three main processes:
Wallerian degeneration (the clearing process of the distal stump), axonal regeneration, and end-organ reinnervation
.
Can you speed up nerve damage recovery?
Electrical stimulation a week before surgery causes nerves to regenerate three to five times faster
, leading to better outcomes. Summary: Researchers have found a treatment that increases the speed of nerve regeneration by three to five times, leading to much better outcomes for trauma surgery patients.
