Neuropathy Medication

Neuropathy is disease of the nervous system. One or more nerves of similar length could be damaged, thereby causing severe pain, numbness or tingling sensations.

Medications are available to cure neuropathy, but these take a long time; the time taken depends on the type and intensity of the disease. Taking too many drugs could also cause neuropathy.

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Strong medications such as narcotics are mostly used to control severe neuropathy pains, which should be avoided for milder neuropathies. Non-narcotic pain killers are not effective against these neuropathy pains. But over-the-counter analgesics can be used for mild pain. Antidepressants and anticonvulsants can be administered for other type of nerve pains.

But although narcotic pain killers are initially effective, their effect wears off: as time goes by, the dosage of the drug needs to be increased to achieve the same measure of pain relief. Topical anesthetics are said to be effective against these resistant neuropathy pains.

Medications approved by FDA for diabetic neuropathy pain is Duloxetine or Cymbalta. It is a known fact that HIV patients are more at risk of neuropathy. Drugs like didanosine (ddI, Videx), zalcitabine (ddC, Hivid), and stavudine (d4T, Zerit) are prescribed for HIV patients. Taking all these drugs together could also cause neuropathy, so care should be taken to follow the doctor's prescription strictly.

The effectiveness of neuropathy medication ranges from slight to complete. Strong medication should only be used for severe neuropathy, and taken in moderation to avoid resistance to the drugs. Care should also be taken not to cause neuropathy by overload of drugs.

Neuropathy Medication

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Alcoholic Neuropathy

Alcoholic neuropathy defines the nerve disorder associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Nerve function is reduced, it is believed, by the toxins in alcohol and nutritional deficiencies.

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Normal symptoms for alcoholic neuropathy include lack of sensation, tingling, frail ankles and muscles and burning feet. Diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, constipation, incontinence of the bladder and impotence in men are some other symptoms. However, in severe cases of alcoholic neuropathy, major damage is done to the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for involuntary functions such as the heart beat.

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There are several tests and evaluations that can help diagnose alcoholic neuropathy. The main four are the neurological exam, electromyography, nerve conduction velocity test and nerve biopsy. The neurological exam is a process where in the patient goes through a series of simple and painless examinations. It primarily evaluates the functioning of the neurological system, which includes autonomic nervous functioning, muscle strength and the sensory reactions. Electromyography tests the electrical activity of the muscle, checking whether or not the impulses are transferred promptly back and forth between nerve and muscle. Electromyography is often performed to find out the cause for numbness, itchiness. It is also capable of differentiating between weaknesses caused by reduced usage of a muscle or damage caused by the disease of the nerves (neuropathy). Nerve conduction velocity tests how swiftly impulses can be transmitted. It is done simultaneously with electromyography. Nerve biopsies are done on small nerves, tissues and muscles to determine the disorder.

The primary treatment for alcoholic neuropathy is treatment for alcoholism - avoiding alcohol reduces the symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy. Physical therapies can be given to help ease the pain. Medication may also be given to treat the numbness caused by alcoholic neuropathy. Following a healthy balanced diet is another vital part of the treatment.

Alcoholic Neuropathy

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