Neuropathy is a chronic condition that comes from damage or compression to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. People with neuropathy often experience a range of symptoms such as burning, tingling, numbness, and weakness to the affected area. This pain can come and go, or it can be persistent. It all depends on the extent of the nerve damage and how long it has been going on. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to know how much damage you’re dealing with.
There are five stages of neuropathy, and understanding where you are in the process can help you seek the right support. While peripheral neuropathy can’t usually be cured, it can be managed so that you can maintain a high quality of life. Additionally, the proper treatments can prevent neuropathy from getting worse.
Let’s explore the five different stages of neuropathy, the symptoms to look for, and some of the things you can do to manage your condition.
Stage 1: Numbness and Pain
In the first stage, individuals become aware that something feels “off” with the nerves in their hands or feet. Subtle symptoms can typically be felt, such as pain, numbness, or a combination of both. People often brush off these symptoms because they’re not constant and are usually manageable.
While there are various causes of neuropathy, the most common is from diabetes. Consider that diabetic neuropathy affects as many as 50% of people with diabetes. The good news is that you can prevent diabetic neuropathy by managing your blood sugar levels, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping active. Also, eat a balanced diet and cut out simple carbs, junk foods, and other hyperglycemic foods.
Stage 2: More Regular Symptoms
In the second stage, the symptoms of neuropathy are typically more frequent, with some people experiencing symptoms all the time. Many people see a doctor in this stage because they notice symptoms occurring more often than before. While it’s possible to prevent further complications, a lot of the damage has already been done by this stage.
Stage 3: Pain Increases in Intensity
Not only does this stage involve constant pain, but also the pain tends to be much more intense. For some people, the pain becomes unbearable, forcing people to make lifestyle changes to get through their days. Simple tasks like walking or grabbing items can be painful and difficult.
Another concern is that the numbness associated with neuropathy can become dangerous. When you can’t feel your hands, feet, or other extremities, it’s much easier to get burns or cuts without realizing it. These injuries can turn into more serious infections, such as sepsis or gangrene.
Step 4: Constant Numbness
As damage to the nerves continues, many people experience constant numbness. This happens because the damage to the nerves becomes so severe, the nerves are no longer healthy enough to carry signals to the brain. Some people say that they have a decrease in pain because of the numbness, but this isn’t a good sign—it indicates that the nerves are dying. Once the smaller nerves have disintegrated, the larger fibers can be damaged as well. At this point, the nerve damage is permanent.
Step 5: Loss of Feeling
In the last stages of neuropathy, the symptoms become so severe, you may not be able to feel your feet. Many individuals can’t walk without assistance. This is also when the risk of infections, gangrene, and even amputation is highest.
Safe, Effective Relief for Neuropathy
Living with nerve pain is not easy, but catching the signs early and seeking medical support can make a significant difference in your recovery. It’s always best to understand where the pain is coming from, whether it’s diabetes, alcohol use disorder, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, or something else. By managing the underlying condition, you can significantly lower your chances for further nerve damage and improve your current symptoms.
Neuro Health understands how debilitating it can be to live with nerve pain. This is why we’ve created two distinct products to help individuals relieve their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Check out our Neuropathy Support Formula and Miracle Nerve Cream today—it’s effective relief for treating neuropathy symptoms!