Everything you need to know about neuropathy symptoms, types, causes, and treatment options available in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice & Lakewood Ranch.
What is Neuropathy
Types & Symptoms
Causes & Risk Factors
Treatment Options
Neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy, is a condition that results from damage to the peripheral nervous system—the vast communication network that transmits signals between the central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord) and every other part of your body.
When nerves are damaged, this communication system breaks down. Signals may be disrupted, send incorrectly, or fail to reach their destination altogether. This can result in a wide range of symptoms including pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and sensitivity to temperature.
Over 20 million Americans suffer from some form of peripheral neuropathy. It's most common in people over 55, but can affect anyone at any age. In Sarasota and surrounding areas, diabetes is one of the leading causes of neuropathy.
The term "neuropathy" is often used interchangeably with "nerve damage" or "nerve pain." While peripheral neuropathy is the most common form, the condition can affect different types of nerves in various ways. Understanding which nerves are affected is crucial to determining the best treatment approach.
Neuropathy encompasses over 100 different conditions affecting the peripheral nervous system. Understanding the types of neuropathy and their symptoms is essential for early diagnosis and effective treatment. Learn about the most common forms of nerve damage and warning signs to watch for.
The most common type affecting nerves in your arms, legs, hands, and feet. This form of peripheral neuropathy often starts in the feet and may progress upward. Treatment for neuropathy in legs and feet is our specialty.
Affected nerves: Sensory nerves, motor nerves
Affects the nerves controlling automatic body functions like heartbeat, digestion, bladder control, and temperature regulation. This type of neuropathy can affect multiple organ systems.
Affected nerves: Autonomic nerves
Damage to a single nerve or group of nerves in one specific area, causing pain or weakness in that location. Focal neuropathy often appears suddenly and is typically confined to one side of the body.
Common examples: Carpal tunnel syndrome, Bell's palsy
Occurs when a nerve is pinched due to injury, repetitive motion, or anatomical structure, causing pain and numbness. This includes conditions like sciatica and cubital tunnel syndrome.
Common examples: Sciatica, cubital tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy
Don't wait for symptoms to worsen. Early diagnosis and treatment of neuropathy can prevent further nerve damage and improve your quality of life. Our specialists provide comprehensive neuropathy evaluation and personalized treatment plans.
Hear directly from our patients about their neuropathy treatment journey and the life-changing results they've experienced.
Her neuropathy was so severe she once stepped on something, bled, and didn't feel a thing. She had constant numbness, heavy legs, poor balance, and could barely walk 15 minutes. Now she's on her feet all day at work and finally sleeping soundly.
She struggled with painful neuropathy and was only offered more meds—until she found us. Since starting care, she's ditched the meds, walks barefoot, and volunteers on her feet. She calls it the best decision she's ever made.
Melissa suffered from chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and was on 3,000 mg of nerve medication (Gab). After about 2 months of treatment, she reduced her nerve medication (Gab) dosage to 900 mg with hopes of being completely off it soon.
Her toes felt like wax, neuropathy pain kept her up at night, and finding comfortable shoes was a daily struggle. Now, the numbness is gone, and most days, she doesn't even think about her feet.
She was numb from the knee down and could only walk a quarter mile a day. Now, she walks up to 5 miles with her husband and keeps up with her grandkids hiking, swimming, and spending full days at the beach.
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Understanding the underlying cause of neuropathy is essential for effective treatment. There are over 100 known causes of peripheral neuropathy.
The leading cause of neuropathy in the United States. High blood sugar levels damage small blood vessels that supply nerves with oxygen and nutrients, leading to nerve damage over time.
Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and other autoimmune disorders can cause the immune system to attack nerve tissues, leading to inflammation and damage.
Certain chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and exposure to heavy metals or industrial chemicals can cause toxic neuropathy.
Lyme disease, HIV, hepatitis C, shingles, Epstein-Barr virus, and other infections can directly damage nerves or trigger autoimmune responses that attack nerve tissue.
Some forms of neuropathy run in families. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies are genetic conditions that affect nerve function.
Physical injury, repetitive stress, vitamin deficiencies (especially B vitamins), alcoholism, kidney disease, liver disease, and tumors can all contribute to neuropathy.
Call (941) 803-1099 to speak with our neuropathy specialists
Early intervention for neuropathy can prevent irreversible nerve damage and significantly improve your quality of life. Don't wait until symptoms become severe.
Mild tingling, occasional numbness. Symptoms may come and go. This is the ideal time for treatment intervention.
Constant symptoms, difficulty walking, sleep disturbances. Nerve damage is progressing but still treatable.
Severe pain, significant weakness, balance problems, risk of falls and injuries. Treatment becomes more challenging.
Complete loss of sensation, foot ulcers, infections, potential amputation. Nerve damage may be irreversible at this point.
of diabetic patients will develop some form of neuropathy
higher risk of falls in elderly with neuropathy compared to those without
of non-traumatic amputations occur in patients with peripheral neuropathy
Early treatment offers the best chance of stopping nerve damage and reclaiming your quality of life.
At Sarasota Diabetes & Neuropathy Center, we offer comprehensive, non-invasive treatment options designed to address the root cause of your neuropathy—not just mask the symptoms.
Advanced diagnostic testing to identify the type, severity, and exact location of your nerve damage. This allows us to create a targeted treatment plan specific to your condition.
Learn MoreState-of-the-art therapies designed to stimulate nerve regeneration and restore function. Many patients experience measurable improvement in sensation and reduced pain.
Learn MoreAddress underlying metabolic causes of neuropathy, particularly important for diabetic neuropathy. Includes nutritional support and lifestyle modifications.
Learn MoreEvery patient's neuropathy is unique. Our specialists create individualized treatment protocols based on your specific type, cause, and severity of neuropathy.
Learn MoreSchedule a comprehensive neuropathy evaluation with our board-certified specialists. We'll identify the root cause of your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan.
Proudly serving Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice & Lakewood Ranch
Our Sarasota peripheral neuropathy treatment center proudly serves patients throughout the greater Sarasota-Bradenton area and Southwest Florida.
Our neuropathy specialists provide comprehensive peripheral neuropathy treatment, treatment for neuropathy in legs and feet, and neuropathy reversal programs to patients from:
Our experienced neuropathy doctors are ready to help you find lasting relief from nerve pain, numbness, and tingling in your legs and feet.