If you’re dealing with peripheral nerve pain, you know what a devastating impact these symptoms can have on your life. The shooting pains, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness can turn any task into a painful ordeal. Even though it may feel hopeless, particularly if you are having difficulty finding the underlying cause, there are effective treatments that can help you find the relief you deserve.
Can Kidney Disease Cause Peripheral Neuropathy?
Many people associate peripheral nerve pain with diabetes, but there is a wide range of causes. While unmanaged diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathy, kidney disease is another example of a major contributor. In fact, one study estimates that 90% of patients treated for chronic kidney disease experience peripheral neuropathy as a complication.
No matter what the cause of your peripheral neuropathy is, Dr. Johnson and the team at Innovations Medical have options that can help you on your recovery journey. We’re sharing the following guide to help you learn more.
The Link Between Kidney Disease and Peripheral Neuropathy
As medical researchers work to understand the relationship between peripheral neuropathy and kidney disease, several theories have emerged. One theory is that when the kidneys are diseased and cannot filter the blood to remove waste and toxins, the peripheral nerves and the small blood vessels that support these nerves become damaged. Another theory is that kidney disease causes the levels of electrolytes in the body to become unbalanced, which negatively affects nerve cell function and causes the nerves to work abnormally.
Peripheral neuropathy as a result of kidney disease is referred to as uremic neuropathy. Researchers estimate that uremic neuropathy affects between 50 – 100% of people with kidney disease, while diabetic neuropathy affects 60 – 70% of people with diabetes.
Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy Caused by Kidney Disease
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy that develop as a result of kidney disease can be the same as the symptoms of peripheral nerve pain caused by diabetes. Patients report feeling:
- Pain, including shooting sensations
- Cramping or muscle spasms
- Muscle weakness
- Lessened sensation to touch
- Numbness
- Tingling
These symptoms often occur in the legs and feet but can also affect the arms and hands.
How Is Peripheral Neuropathy Treated?
Doctors will typically recommend the following options for patients undergoing treatment for peripheral neuropathy:
- Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve mild to moderate pain. More severe cases may require prescription pain medication. These medications relieve painful symptoms for short periods of time but do not cure the condition. Anti-seizure medications have also been found to reduce nerve pain, but side effects can include drowsiness and dizziness.
- Topical Treatments: Topical pain-relieving creams and lidocaine patches can help to control pain, but cannot be tolerated by everyone.
- Antidepressants: Some antidepressants have been found to reduce pain and other symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, but they also come with potential side effects, including nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, and constipation.
Other treatments, such as physical therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy, have been shown to help reduce symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. These treatments generally require regular sessions over an extended period of time to see results.
The Power of Stem Cell Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathy and Chronic Kidney Disease
Stem cell therapy is a state-of-the-art medical treatment with a wide range of potential applications, including both chronic kidney disease and related complications like peripheral neuropathy. Stem cells have the unique ability to make other types of cells. Because of this, they can be guided to develop into cells that can help people regenerate or repair damaged or diseased tissues.
A form of stem cell treatment known as fat stem cell therapy has the potential to relieve the pain and inflammation of peripheral neuropathy by helping to repair nerve damage. The fat stem cell is different from other therapies because it is possible to gather a thousand times more stem cells from fat than from other sources. Additionally, fat stem cells can be harvested from a patient, ensuring that they will not be rejected.
Contact Innovations Medical to Learn About Stem Cell Therapy
If you’re looking to treat kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, and related issues, Innovations Medical is here for you. Our skilled professionals help you decide which treatment is best for you – keeping you informed and confident in the next steps. We’ve been helping our patients look and feel their best since 2005, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.
To find out if our advanced stem cell therapy is right for you, and to learn how Innovations Medical can improve your life, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule an appointment.