Treating the cause of nerve damage, if known, may improve your symptoms.
People with diabetes should learn to control their blood sugar.
If you use alcohol, stop.
Your medicines may need to be changed. Do not stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.
Replacing a vitamin or making other changes in your diet may help. If you have low levels of B12 or other vitamins, your provider may recommend supplements or injections.
You may need surgery to remove pressure from a nerve.
You may have therapy to learn exercises to improve muscle strength and control. Wheelchairs, braces, and splints may improve movement or the ability to use an arm or leg that has nerve damage.
SETTING UP YOUR HOME
Safety is very important for people with nerve damage. Nerve damage can increase the risk for falls and other injuries. To stay safe:
- Remove loose wires and rugs from areas where you walk.
- Do not keep small pets in your home.
- Fix uneven flooring in doorways.
- Have good lighting.
- Put handrails in the bathtub or shower and next to the toilet. Place a slip-proof mat in the bathtub or shower.
WATCHING YOUR SKIN
Wear shoes at all times to protect your feet from injury. Before you put them on, always check inside your shoes for stones or rough areas that may hurt your feet.
Check your feet every day. Look at the top, sides, soles, heels, and between the toes. Wash your feet every day with lukewarm water and mild soap. Use lotion, petroleum jelly, lanolin, or oil on dry skin.
Check bathwater temperature with your elbow before putting your feet in the water.
Avoid putting pressure on areas with nerve damage for too long.
Medicines may help reduce pain in the feet, legs, and arms. They usually do not bring back loss of feeling. Your provider may prescribe:
- Pain pills
- Drugs that treat seizures or depression, which can also manage pain
Your provider may refer you to a pain specialist. Talk therapy may help you better understand how your pain is affecting your life. It can also help you learn ways to better cope with pain.
TREATING OTHER SYMPTOMS
Taking medicine, sleeping with your head raised, and wearing elastic stockings may help with low blood pressure and fainting. Your provider may give you medicines to help with bowel movement problems. Eating small, frequent meals may help. To help bladder problems, your provider may suggest that you:
- Do Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
- Use a urinary catheter, a thin tube inserted into your bladder to drain urine.
- Take medicines.
Medicines can often help with erection problems.