Help for Caregivers Coping With Neuropathy

Your life should be charmed and relatively stress-free. You’ve worked hard for it! But then health problems get in the way. They may not even be yours. The slow creep into a caretaker role is a real phenomenon — whether you’re caring for an aging relative or spouse. But even if you (or a loved one) hesitate to acknowledge this role, there’s no immunity from its stress. 

Whether you’re a caregiver or an individual suffering from peripheral neuropathy, getting proactive is essential to less stress and a better life in Reno-Tahoe.​

​Understanding Peripheral Neuropathy

More than 20 million people in America suffer from peripheral neuropathy. But this figure remains conservative because the condition often goes undiagnosed. The reason for this? The condition’s complex variety of symptoms. 

Scientists have documented more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy. Each comes with a unique prognosis and set of symptoms. Neuropathy’s impacts may differ from patient to patient, depending on the nerves affected. 

Recognizing the Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Watching a loved one suffer remains one of the most psychologically devastating parts of caretaking. When left unaddressed, neuropathy can lead to near-constant discomfort, loss of function, and amputation. Symptoms may include:

• Prickling, tingling, and numbness in extremities
• Pain described as sharp, burning, or throbbing
• Difficulty sleeping
• Lack of coordination and increased falls
• Extreme touch sensitivity 
• Muscle weakness
• Pain completing daily tasks
• Heat intolerance
• Paralysis 
• Excessive perspiration or inability to sweat
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Problems with digestion, the bowels, or bladder

Proactive management of neuropathy’s symptoms includes healthy eating and regular exercise. Daily habits, like checking feet for signs of calluses, blisters, and cuts, are also vital. Massaging hands and feet can stimulate nerves, improving circulation and providing temporary pain relief. Loose-fitting cotton socks and padded shoes also mitigate discomfort and injuries. 

Get Proactive About Neuropathy

Today’s caretakers have an overwhelming pile of responsibilities on their plates. Many belong to the sandwich generation, caring simultaneously for young children and older relatives or spouses. As a result, caregiver burnout is real.  

Cutting-edge, at-home therapies like the NeuropaCalm Care Program provide symptomatic relief for many suffering from peripheral neuropathy. Contact us if life has become painful or stressful. We’ll help you get back to enjoying what matters, whether you’re a caregiver or individual suffering from neuropathy.