Education & FAQs

Idiopathic Neuropathy

Written by Karen May, DC, CCSP, CCIP | Oct 4, 2024 6:23:17 PM

 

What is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is what happens when your nerves get damaged or stop working the way they should. It can affect the nerves that help you feel, move, or even control different parts of your body.

Because your nerves are everywhere, neuropathy can happen just about anywhere too.

If you’ve ever felt tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain—especially in your hands or feet—you might know how devastating this can be. And without treatment, it can get worse over time, making everyday tasks even harder. I know it can feel overwhelming, and so many people go through this quietly, unsure of where to go for relief.

You’re not alone, though—more than 20 million Americans are living with neuropathy right now. Since there aren’t traditional medical treatments that can cure it, it’s frustrating for so many people. Neuropathy has more than 100 known causes, from toxins and medications to injuries, chemotherapy, and more.

But what about neuropathy with no clear cause? This is referred to as idiopathic neuropathy. 

Idiopathic Neuropathy

Living with idiopathic neuropathy can be very frustrating, since you don’t know the cause of your neuropathy, it makes targeted treatment impossible. 

Even if you are unsure the cause of your neuropathy, there are some factors that can increase the chances of developing idiopathic neuropathy, including:

  • Age, idiopathic neuropathy is more commonly found in adults.
  • Genetics, some people have a genetic predisposition to nerve damage. While there are 30 known genes linked to neuropathy, some genes haven’t been identified. 
  • Lifestyle, sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking can all increase the risk of nerve damage. 

Symptoms of Idiopathic Neuropathy

Regardless of how your neuropathy developed, the symptoms are similar to peripheral neuropathy and have devastating effects on the body. 

Common symptoms of neuropathy include:

  • Numbness, pain, burning or tingling in hands or feet
  • Trouble sleeping or getting comfortable at night
  • Shooting pains down your legs or arms
  • Extreme sensitivity to touch
  • Muscle weakness or aching
  • Blood pressure issues
  • Constant loss of balance or coordination

If you suffer from one or more of these symptoms for over 6 months, it is time to seek help. Remember, neuropathy will not go away on its own, and it will worsen overtime. 

Get treatment for neuropathy

Neuropathy is a chronic condition that worsens over time. Without treatment, any symptoms you have will progressively get worse.

While there is no cure or quick fix for neuropathy, our proven Neuropathy Relief Program has seen success time and time again:

  • Reducing pain and numbness
  • Improving balance and mobility
  • Improving quality of life and overall health
  • Helping clients to regain their freedom and independence

To connect with a relief expert today and learn more about your relief options, call 517-883-2291 or click the button below to learn more about our program.