How to Cure Neuropathy

Neuropathy is another name for nerve damage. It is often characterized by a burning, tingling or shooting pain in the extremities (hands, feet, legs and arms). Neuropathy can also affect the nerve system throughout your body, causing incontinence, difficulty gripping objects and balancing problems. To treat your neuropathy, you can try alternative health options, such as supplements, as well as prescription medications.

Things You'll Need

• Prescription medication (optional)
• Lidocaine patch
• Capsaicin
• Vitamin B complex
• Alpha lipoic acid
• Actyl L-carnitine
• Chromium

Instructions

1. Ask your doctor about medications. Some drugs that are approved for other conditions can also help treat neuropathy. These are gabapentin, pregabalin, topiramate, phenytoin and carbamazepine.

2. Try a Lidocaine patch if you do not wish to take oral medications. Use up to three of these patches per day to relieve neuropathy pain, placing the patch on the affected area. Some people may experience a rash at the patch site resulting from this treatment.

3. Treat your neuropathy with alternative health options. Applying capsaicin topically to the area may help relieve pain. You can also supplement your diet with B complex vitamins, alpha lipoic acid, actyl L-carnitine and chromium.

4. Control your blood sugar if your neuropathy is caused by diabetes. This is the best way to prevent or treat diabetic neuropathy.

Tips & Warnings

• If your neuropathy has caused your feet to go numb, check your feet daily for possible abrasions that may become infected.

• Be sure to discuss with your doctor all the supplements and medications that you may already be taking to avoid any possible interactions.

References

• Mayo Clinic for more about peripheral neuropathy

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• The University of Maryland for information about neuropathy