Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy: Natural Treatments & Alternative Therapies!

What Is Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy, characterized by burning sensation, pins and needles, numbness and pain, and other sensory complaints in feet (foot pain), leg (leg pain), hands & arms, is a relatively common diagnosis; however, even with extensive evaluation, the underlying cause is identified in only 10-30% of cases.

The remaining undiagnosed cases fall under the broad umbrella of Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy, Idiopathic Neuropathy, or chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP). 

Patients in this group have a two-fold higher frequency of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus, the most commonly identified cause of peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral Neuropathy is when nerve damage interferes with the functioning of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The peripheral nervous system carries information from the central nervous system (CNS), brain and spinal cord, to the rest of the body.

When the cause can’t be determined, it’s called idiopathic peripheral neuropathy or idiopathic neuropathy, but that doesn’t make the symptoms any less painful or disruptive.

Definition of Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy:

As per medical terminology, any disease  of uncertain or unknown origin may be idiopathic. 

Idiopathic peripheral neuropathy is a form of neuropathy for which the etiology (cause) is unknown

and so falls under the umbrella term “idiopathic” in medical terminology.

According to the medical world, Idiopathic peripheral neuropathy can be hereditary, nonhereditary, or acquired. 

Acquired neuropathies are caused by many factors, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, alcohol use disorder, chemotherapy, drugs, etc., but Idiopathic neuropathies have no apparent cause. Therefore, I believe that idiopathic neuropathy is a failed diagnosis.

Idiopathic Neuropathy Must be Treated Right Away!

Because Idiopathic Peripheral neuropathy is caused due to damage to the peripheral nerves, it won’t go away on its own. 

If left untreated, the numbness, tingling, burning, neuropathic pain, and nerve damage caused by peripheral neuropathy will worsen.

The damaged nerves will continue to send confusing messages to the brain more frequently. And burning sensation, numbness, and nerve pain will get worse. 

If you are diagnosed with idiopathic or peripheral neuropathy, you must take action now!

Progression of Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy:

Typically, idiopathic neuropathy starts as foot pain and occurs in people over 50 years old. For most patients with Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy, the progression rate is slow – over months to years – and the degree of impairment is limited. 

But for others, deterioration happens more rapidly and continues to get worse. Neuropathy harms daily activities at home, at leisure, and work.

Patients with Idiopathic Neuropathy have an increased risk of falls and fall-related injuries due to disturbed balance and walking difficulties. Due to neuropathy in the feet and numbness in the toes. It can be very disruptive to someone’s everyday life and lifestyle.

Can idiopathic neuropathy cause Tremors?

A tremor in peripheral neuropathy may occur when the nerves that supply the body’s muscles are traumatized by injury, disease, abnormality in the central nervous system, or as the result of systemic illnesses. 

Idiopathic neuropathy can affect the whole body or specific areas, such as the hands, and may be progressive.

The resulting sensory loss may be seen as a tremor or ataxia (inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movement) of the affected limbs and problems with gait and balance. Clinical characteristics may be similar to those seen in patients with essential tremors.

How Bad Can Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy Get?

If idiopathic peripheral neuropathy isn’t treated, it can gradually damage more nerves and cause permanent damage.  

In worse conditions, if the autonomic nerves (Idiopathic Peripheral Autonomic Neuropathy) are affected, that leads to the impairment of involuntary physiologic processes such as digestion, blood pressure, respiration, urination, sex, heart rate, etc. 

What is Idiopathic Peripheral Autonomic Neuropathy?

Idiopathic Peripheral Autonomic neuropathies are disorders affecting the peripheral nerves that automatically (without conscious effort) regulate body processes (autonomic nerves). 

The autonomic nervous system is a control system that acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions, such as the heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal.

Autonomic neuropathies are peripheral neuropathy, a disorder in which peripheral nerves are damaged throughout the body. In autonomic neuropathies, there is much more damage to the autonomic nerves than to the somatic nerves.

Severe Complications Associated with Idiopathic Peripheral Autonomic Neuropathy:

In worse conditions, the autonomic nerves are affected, leading to the impairment of involuntary physiologic processes such as digestion, blood pressure, respiration, heart rate, etc. 

In Idiopathic Peripheral Autonomic Neuropathy, the patients may experience constipation,    persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary incontinence, slow food movement through their stomach  (gastroparesis), sweating abnormalities, and erectile dysfunction in men, and also the sexual dysfunction in women.

And if you have diabetes also, then you may be at risk of developing potentially serious complications, such as a foot ulcer that becomes infected.

This can lead to gangrene (tissue death) if untreated, and in severe cases, it may mean the affected foot has to be amputated.

How common is idiopathic neuropathy?

More than an estimated 20 million Americans suffer from peripheral neuropathy. In addition, approx. 23%-25% of patients have peripheral neuropathy of unknown origin or cause of so-called idiopathic peripheral neuropathy or idiopathic neuropathy. 

The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. 60% of peripheral neuropathy sufferers are Diabetic.

Types of Idiopathic Neuropathies:

It can be classified as follows:

№ 1. Idiopathic mononeuropathies:  Idiopathic mononeuropathy, or radiculopathy, refers to the involvement of a single nerve or nerve root, respectively.

№ 2. Idiopathic polyneuropathy usually refers to the diffuse involvement of multiple peripheral nerves.

Symptoms of Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy:

Clinical symptoms of idiopathic neuropathy depend on the type and distribution of the affected nerves, the degree to which they are damaged, and the course of the disease.

Common symptoms of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy are burning or sharp neuropathic pain, usually in the feet and legs, feet and hands feeling cold, hands feeling painful and heavy, burning inside the legs, burning all over the body, burning inside the body, pins, and needles or electric shocks, tingling in the affected body part or numbness, especially in the hands and feet, etc.

What does Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy feel like?

For example, idiopathic neuropathy results in weakness and muscle atrophy if a motor nerve is damaged. 

There may be a weakness in the muscles in your feet and hands. As the disease progresses, you may experience balance problems and have difficulty walking on uneven surfaces or in the dark.

Whereas if the damage involves sensory nerves, it may cause loss of sensation, pain, and sensory ataxia, which means lack of sensation (or in many cases burning, tingling pain) beginning in the bottom of the feet (often in the toes), spreading gradually up the legs symmetrically. The same can happen to hands & arms.

If you suffer from idiopathic sensory-motor polyneuropathy, you may experience unusual sensations, numbness, pain in your feet, legs, hands, and arms, and balance problems.

Diagnosis of Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy:

Several tests are necessary to eliminate all the possible primary causes of the disease. If no definitive reason is detected, then idiopathic neuropathy may be defined as a diagnosis; hence, it is a diagnosis of exclusion.

The patient’s history plays a significant role in the diagnosis. It has to include all symptoms, date of onset, duration, an extension of the affected area, and amount of discomfort and pain.

Evaluation & Tests for Idiopathic Neuropathy:

Its diagnosis is based on history, clinical examination, and supporting laboratory investigations.

Evaluation:  Doctors have a shortlist of potential causes of idiopathic neuropathy. They may ask you about your experience with or look for signs of chemotherapy, Injuries or trauma, HIV, tumors, spine disorders, stroke, nutritional deficiencies, toxins, antibiotics, viral infections, shingles, autoimmune diseases, etc

In Diagnostic testing to determine whether or not you suffer from idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, your doctor may conduct one or a combination of the following tests:

● Physical examination

● Neurological evaluation

● Electromyography   An electromyography may be performed to measure the electrical activity of muscles and nerves.

● Nerve conduction velocity test

● Nerve biopsy 

● Standardized tests to measure: Muscle strength & Loss of function of sensory and autonomic nerves

● Blood Test – Blood tests are commonly employed to check for vitamin deficiencies, toxic elements, and evidence of an abnormal immune response. 

● Other laboratory tests – These include tests for Vitamin B12 and folate levels, Thyroid, liver, and kidney functions, Antibodies related to celiac disease, Lyme disease, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and B

Prognosis of Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy:

Prognosis and complications depend on the type & severity of the idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. But if you start using medically tested natural treatments and exercise in the best-case scenario, your damaged nerves can regenerate, and you will have your everyday healthy life again.

It is a fact that the regeneration of injured nerves requires many tactics, actions, and measures taken together and combined at once. Therefore, it would help if you started taking one or more of the following scientifically proven & effective natural treatments for your idiopathic peripheral neuropathy:

►Medically approved, time-tested, safe, and effective total herbal treatment to rejuvenate injured nerves and reverse idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. 

►The best natural treatment for nerve damage PEMF – Magnetic Therapy for neuropathy is an effective & medically proven nerve pain reliever to cure & reverse idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.

And also, try to add hypnotherapy as a form of complementary therapy and Alternative Pain Management program to produce additive or potentiated health effects.