Understanding Neuropathy A little bit at at a time

Breaking down peripheral neuropathy in smaller units for better understanding.

Maybe you have heard about small fiber neuropathy. If you haven't it is a disorder that affects the small diameter sensory nerves of the peripheral nervous system. The basic understanding is that peripheral neuropathy deals with demyelinating of the protective, nerve-rich sheath that covers the nerve fibers. Instead, let's address the component of small fiber neuropathy that covers unmyelinated (C fiber) nerves. C-fibers respond to stimuli which have stronger intensities and are the ones to account for the slow, but deeper and spread out over a larger areas. The myelinated fibers deal with initial sharp pain whereas C-fibers do not. C-fibers respond to stimuli that are thermal, or mechanical or chemical in nature. Without getting too deep into neurology, C-fibers are part of the somatosensory nervous system. They connect with the nervous system at certain receptor sites based on reactions to stimuli through touch or sense of position and movement.

Let's look at the underlying pathologic conditions most likely to cause C-fiber neuropathy. Hypoxia is the first to consider. When a body part is deprived of oxygen it is called hypoxia. Since peripheral neuropathy affects primarily diabetics and chemotherapy-treated cancer patients it is easy to see how the underlying pathology creates an environment for comorbidity. The surrounding tissue lacks healthy nerve innervation and causes faulty communication between the brain and body part. When you think of comorbidity imagine one problem being complicated by another with exponential effects. 1+1 does not equal 2, it has a multiplying effect. The diabetic has to deal with diabetes and lack of oxygen. This is quite an unhealthy situation. Every living tissue needs oxygen to thrive. Treatments like near-infrared light therapy can stimulate oxygen synthesis by ramping up production of nitric oxide to vasodilate or open the blood vessels. More blood flow in a compromised body will bring more oxygen.

Hypoglycemia also called low blood sugar is another mechanism that affects both diabetics and cancer patients. The patient with cancer or diabetes now has to contend with a weakened immune system that is really confused by uncontrolled blood sugar levels. These patients are dealing with a compromised immune response and now have to deal with a system that is running out of control. Imagine the body as a car with a transmission problem overheating on a hot day and to top things off you have a flat tire. There is only so much that a body can take.

Treating the major pathology makes sense, this is where it gets tricky. The immune system is compromised already. The typical treatment is to add another medication. This is often unsuccessful and the person continues a downward spiral. We have found that by addressing neuropathy on several levels using near-infrared light therapy and a home unit called Rebuilder we can effect positive change over a several month period. In addition, certain nutritional therapies will help stimulate the immune system. The healthier immune system creates a healing environment. It should be noted that there is no cure for neuropathy. There are treatments available that most doctors are not aware of. They exist and you need to educate yourself to avail yourself. In many cases, we see a reversal of the symptoms of neuropathy. We cannot address diabetes or post chemo issues but feel you should know what can be helped. Call us @ 203-875-0846. Core Health Darien is locates at 551 Post Road in Darien.