Peripheral neuropathy, often shortened to just neuropathy, is a condition that causes damage to the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is made up of nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. When these nerves become damaged or diseased, it can result in numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the extremities, often starting in the feet and legs. While peripheral neuropathy has a variety of potential causes, the most common include diabetes, chemotherapy, autoimmune diseases, infections, toxins, trauma, and nutritional deficiencies. Unfortunately, peripheral neuropathy is often progressive and irreversible. However, there are treatment options available that can help slow its progression, manage symptoms, and possibly facilitate the regeneration of nerves in some cases.
What causes peripheral neuropathy in the feet?
There are a number of potential causes of peripheral neuropathy that can impact nerve function in the feet and legs:
- Diabetes – High blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage nerves over time. This is one of the most common causes of neuropathy.
- Chemotherapy – Certain chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer are toxic to nerves.
- Autoimmune diseases – Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis cause inflammation that can damage nerves.
- Infections – Viruses and bacteria like shingles, HIV, Lyme disease can injure nerve fibers.
- Toxins – Exposure to heavy metals, industrial chemicals or alcohol abuse can create neuropathy.
- Trauma – Injuries or compression of nerves can disrupt nerve signals.
- Nutritional deficiencies – Lack of vitamins B1, B6, B12, E and niacin can contribute to neuropathy.
- Heredity – Some inherited disorders affect nerves, like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
These conditions can damage or disrupt the peripheral nerves, resulting in dysfunctional signal transmission and the symptoms associated with neuropathy in the feet and legs. Controlling underlying causes whenever possible is key to preventing further damage.
Is peripheral neuropathy reversible?
In many cases, peripheral neuropathy is progressive and irreversible. Once nerves are damaged, they often struggle to heal and regain normal function. However, there are some instances where peripheral neuropathy may be at least partially reversible:
- When caused by vitamin deficiencies, supplementing those vitamins can help reverse neuropathy.
- If caused by toxins, removing the exposure allows nerves time to potentially regenerate.
- Controlling blood sugar levels can halt neuropathy progression in diabetics.
- Halting chemotherapy provides an opportunity for nerves to recover over time.
- Resolving infections, inflammatory conditions or trauma may calm symptoms.
- Nerve decompression surgery can relieve compressed nerves.
The prognosis depends on the severity and cause of the neuropathy. Early treatment offers the best chance to reverse or limit nerve damage before it becomes irreparable.
How can you treat and reverse neuropathy in the feet?
While complete reversal of neuropathy is difficult, early intervention provides the best chance of limiting nerve damage. Treatments aim to resolve any underlying condition, manage symptoms, and promote nerve healing and regeneration when possible. Some of the most common treatment approaches include:
Controlling underlying causes
Since many neuropathies are caused by other conditions, addressing the underlying problem is key. For example, keeping diabetes under control through medication, diet and lifestyle changes can significantly slow neuropathy progression. Discontinuing chemotherapy or toxic medications also allows an opportunity for nerve recovery. Dealing with any deficiencies, infections, or autoimmune issues facilitates healing.
Medications
Medications that may be used to manage neuropathy symptoms and promote nerve health include:
- Pain relievers – OTC pain medication or prescription options treat painful symptoms.
- Anti-seizure drugs – Used to calm overactive nerve signals and reduce pain.
- Antidepressants – Certain types can reduce neuropathic pain signals.
- Topical treatments – Capsaicin creams, numbing agents and rubs treat localized pain.
- Nerve growth factors – Experimental proteins that may aid nerve regeneration.
Vitamin supplementation
Doctors may recommend supplementing deficiencies with the following vitamins or supplements to support nerve health:
- B vitamins – B1, B6 and B12 aid nerve conduction.
- Vitamin E – A powerful antioxidant that protects nerves.
- Alpha lipoic acid – Helps control blood sugar and reduce nerve inflammation.
- Acetyl-L-carnitine – May regenerate nerve fibers.
- Fish oil – Provides anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
Physical therapy
Stretching, massage, balance training and other physical therapy modalities can improve strength, mobility and function.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TENS units deliver small electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the skin. This stimulation activates nerves and blocks pain signals.
Surgery
Procedures like nerve decompression surgery can relieve compressed nerves that fail to respond to other conservative treatments.
Lifestyle habits
Adopting healthy lifestyle habits provides the best environment for nerves to potentially heal and regenerate. This includes:
- Exercising regularly to improve circulation.
- Not smoking, which restricts blood flow.
- Wearing properly fitted shoes to avoid excess pressure.
- Practicing good foot hygiene to prevent infection.
- Avoiding toxins like alcohol that can damage nerves.
- Eating a balanced diet rich in nerve-supporting nutrients.
- Managing stress, which can worsen symptoms.
What vitamins help repair neuropathy?
Certain vitamins play important roles in maintaining healthy nerves and may aid in repairing neuropathy. Some of the main vitamins that can potentially help reverse neuropathy include:
| Vitamin | Function | Food Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | Essential for nerve conduction and signaling. | Pork, sunflower seeds, trout, black beans, spinach |
| Vitamin B6 | Supports neurotransmitters involved in nerve communication. | Poultry, tuna, potatoes, bananas, spinach |
| Vitamin B12 | Necessary for proper nerve function and development. | Shellfish, meat, eggs, milk, fortified cereals |
| Vitamin E | Protects nerves as a potent antioxidant. | Almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach, avocado |
| Niacin (B3) | Improves blood flow to nourish peripheral nerves. | Meat, poultry, fish, peanuts, mushrooms |
Getting sufficient amounts of these vitamins through a balanced diet or supplements helps ensure optimal nerve health and may aid in reversing neuropathy.
What natural remedies help neuropathy?
In addition to traditional medical treatments, there are some natural and alternative remedies that may provide relief for neuropathy symptoms:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture applies tiny needles along nerve pathways to stimulate and redirect nerve signals, reducing pain.
Alpha lipoic acid
This antioxidant compound found naturally in foods like spinach may protect against nerve inflammation and damage.
Capsaicin cream
Derived from chili peppers, topical capsaicin temporarily desensitizes nerves and reduces neuropathic pain.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Anti-inflammatory omega-3s from fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds may promote nerve health and regeneration.
Massage
Massaging feet and lower legs increases circulation, reduces inflammation, and offers symptom relief.
Reflexology
Applying pressure to specific points on the feet thought to correspond with nerves, organs and glands stimulates healing.
Relaxation techniques
Deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and mindfulness can help manage stress and reduce neuropathic pain signals.
What foods help fight neuropathy?
A balanced diet focused on foods that support nerve health may aid in minimizing neuropathy symptoms and progression. Some of the best foods to incorporate include:
- Fatty fish – Salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
- Colorful fruits and vegetables – Contain antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins to nourish nerves.
- Beans and lentils – Excellent sources of B vitamins needed for nerve function.
- Nuts and seeds – Rich in vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy fats for nerves.
- Whole grains – Provide B vitamins to support nerve conduction.
- Lean poultry and meat – Provide protein while limiting fat intake that can worsen inflammation.
- Spices – Anti-inflammatory compounds like turmeric, ginger, and cayenne may ease symptoms.
Avoiding inflammatory processed and fried foods, sugary items, and excess alcohol also helps reduce neuropathy progression and damage. Staying hydrated and active further supports overall nerve health.
Conclusion
Peripheral neuropathy resulting in pain, numbness, and weakness in the feet and legs can be very difficult to reverse entirely. However, a multifaceted treatment approach that includes controlling underlying causes, medications, supplements, lifestyle changes, and complementary therapies provides the best chance of halting neuropathy progression and potentially facilitating the regeneration of damaged nerves. While neuropathy can be managed with various therapies, addressing it in the early stages is critical for the best prognosis.
Maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, avoiding toxins, managing stress, and proactively monitoring the feet allows for earlier intervention at the first signs of neuropathy. Working closely with medical providers to create a tailored treatment plan makes reversing neuropathy more feasible. With patience and consistency applying these therapies, neuropathic symptoms can potentially be reduced and nerve function improved over time.