If you experience numbness or tingling in your hands, arms, legs, or feet, or if you feel shooting or burning pain, this is important. Please read this carefully.

Peripheral neuropathy, also known as "Creeping Nerve Death," can damage the nerves, cells, and muscles in your arms, legs, hands, and feet. This condition can cause severe pain and take away your ability to enjoy life. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the hands, arms, feet, or legs become diseased, causing tiny nerves that keep the cells and muscles working properly to shrivel up and die.

Early-warning symptoms include:

• Tingling and numbness
• Mild loss of feeling in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Inability to feel your feet, increasing your risk of foot injury and falling

As the condition progresses, you might notice more severe symptoms:
More advanced symptoms include:

• Loss of coordination and dexterity, which increases the risk of accidents
• Inability to feel clothing like socks or gloves
• Painful muscle cramps and leg spasms that disrupt your sleep and activities
• High risk of falling, making walking dangerous and increasing dependence on others
• Burning sensations in your arms, legs, hands, or feet that can become severe

Ignoring these early warning signs can lead to progressive nerve damage, muscle wasting, severe pain, and loss of balance. This can result in a lot of time spent at home, wishing you didn't hurt.

Without treatment, this can become a downward spiral. Nerve damage causes cell damage, and cell damage speeds up nerve degeneration. Mild symptoms can intensify into burning pain and constant discomfort.

Peripheral neuropathy is a serious condition that affects the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. These nerves carry information to and from the brain to the rest of the body. When these nerves are damaged, it disrupts this communication, leading to symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain. The condition can be caused by various factors, including diabetes, infections, injuries, and exposure to toxins.

One of the most alarming aspects of peripheral neuropathy is how quickly it can progress if left untreated. Initially, you may experience mild tingling or a slight loss of feeling. Over time, this can develop into severe pain, muscle weakness, and a significant loss of coordination. Everyday tasks that once seemed simple can become incredibly challenging and even dangerous.

The pain associated with peripheral neuropathy can vary from person to person. Some may experience a constant burning sensation, while others might feel sharp, shooting pains. This pain can be debilitating and interfere with daily activities, making it difficult to work, exercise, or even enjoy leisure activities. The lack of sensation can also lead to injuries, as you may not notice cuts, blisters, or other wounds, especially on your feet. These unnoticed injuries can become infected, leading to further complications.

Another concern with peripheral neuropathy is the increased risk of falls. As your balance and coordination deteriorate, walking can become hazardous. Falls can lead to broken bones, head injuries, and other serious health issues, particularly in older adults. The fear of falling can also cause anxiety and a reluctance to engage in physical activities, further diminishing your quality of life.

If you have early warning signs of peripheral neuropathy, it’s CRITICAL you get proper treatment. With proper treatment, symptoms can often be reversed. Without it, you are taking a big risk with your health. Once nerve loss reaches 85%, there may be nothing a doctor can do to help.

The most common method your doctor may recommend to treat neuropathy is prescription drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin. However, these drugs only manage pain; they do not restore healthy nerve function. Pain pills do not heal damaged nerves and dying cells. They just mask the pain while the nerves continue to degenerate, and cells and muscles continue to die. Taking endless drugs and suffering terrible side effects that may damage your liver and kidneys and create even more problems is not a reasonable path.