Seven ways to improve neuropathy with Shamis Tate FNP-C

Introduction

Neuropathy is one of the most common conditions that affect people, yet it's also one of the most poorly understood. Neuropathy is a condition that causes damage to your nerves and can make everyday tasks difficult or even impossible. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help improve your neuropathy or manage it as best as possible.

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to improve the symptoms of neuropathy. You can walk or swim, but be sure to consult your physician before starting any new exercise program.

If you'd like to start an exercise program, consider these suggestions:

Walk for 20 minutes 3-4 times per week at a fast pace.
Do sit-ups every morning for one minute (three sets) and push-ups every evening for one minute (two sets).
Take a yoga class once per week.

Quit smoking

Shamis Tate FNP-C says Smoking can increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy and worsen it. If you currently smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking.

Eat a healthy diet

You can help improve the condition of your neuropathy by making some changes to your diet. While a healthy diet doesn't guarantee that you'll experience pain relief, many people find that making small dietary changes can help them feel better.

Here are some ways to improve your diet:

Eat more fruits and vegetables. Foods that are high in vitamins and antioxidants, such as leafy greens and citrus fruits, may help boost blood flow by strengthening small blood vessels throughout your body. Be sure to get enough vitamin B12 from red meat or supplements—this vitamin is essential for keeping nerves working properly.* Eat less processed foods and sugar.* Eat less red meat; it contains saturated fats that increase inflammation in the body.* Drink more water: Dehydration can cause swelling of tissues surrounding nerve endings (neuropathy), which can intensify symptoms of painful feet or hands.* Avoid alcohol: Alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, gin and whisky contain chemicals called congeners (by-products from fermentation) that have been shown to irritate nerves.* Avoid caffeine: Caffeine has been linked with increased pain levels while drinking coffee has been associated with an increased risk of developing diabetic neuropathy – check out our article on how much caffeine is safe to consume per day?

Drink less alcohol or none at all.

Shamis Tate FNP-C says Alcohol can cause numbness and tingle in your feet, as well as make neuropathy worse. It can also interfere with the effectiveness of medications you're taking for neuropathy, and it can cause dehydration.

You may want to avoid alcohol if you:

Are taking medication for neuropathy (or other conditions) that has a warning about drinking alcohol -- even a small amount.
Have liver disease or cirrhosis (hepatic encephalopathy).
Have diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2; both types increase a person's risk for developing complications from alcoholic beverages

Use medications as directed

Medications are only part of the treatment: While medications have been shown to be effective in managing symptoms, they should not be your only treatment. You should also seek other therapies that can complement the effects of your medication such as physical therapy, dietary changes, and stress management.
Medications can help manage pain: It is well known that prescription medications can reduce symptoms of neuropathy such as numbness, tingling, and weakness by acting on certain parts of the body (i.e., nerves) or brain which transmit information about these sensations or feelings back to your central nervous system (CNS).

Learn how to manage stress and avoid triggers for your neuropathy

Learn how to manage stress. Many people with neuropathy say their pain has been significantly reduced by learning how to relax and de-stress.
Avoid triggers for neuropathy. These include tobacco, alcohol, certain medications, and caffeine. You may have heard that smoking is a major cause of peripheral neuropathy, but did you know that drinking too much coffee or tea can also be an issue?
Take time for relaxation and exercise regularly if possible (see below).

Get plenty of sleep

Sleep is important for overall health, and it can also help relieve the symptoms of neuropathy. It's common to develop a bad sleeping pattern when you have neuropathy because your pain will keep you awake at night. Sleeping with a partner can make it easier to get the rest you need by providing some extra support. The Mayo Clinic recommends making sure your mattress is comfortable and checking for bedbugs in case they're the cause of your nighttime itching or scratching. They also suggest trying different pillows until you find one that works best for keeping your head and neck in alignment while asleep (this can help reduce pain).

If these tips don't seem to be helping much, working with a doctor may be necessary. If so, ask about prescription medications or other treatments available on a case-by-case basis that could help improve sleep quality and the number of hours spent asleep each night—which should lead to the better overall quality of life over time!

Do all 7 of these things, and you will improve your neuropathy.

Now that you understand the nature of neuropathy and what causes it, let's talk about how to improve your symptoms.

Eat more vegetables
Exercise regularly and stay physically active
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol excessively, especially if you are diabetic or have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
Get enough sleep (7 to 9 hours a night) and avoid daytime naps

Conclusion

Many people with neuropathy are able to find relief and manage their symptoms by making healthy changes to their lifestyles. This can include exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, drinking less alcohol or none at all, quitting smoking, and taking medications as directed. The most important thing is that you learn how to manage stress and avoid triggers for your neuropathy.