Neuropathy of the lower extremities: treatment with drugs and folk remedies

Lower limb neuropathy is a problem that many people face. Under this term, many pathologies are combined, which are accompanied by the defeat of certain branches of the peripheral nervous system. The disease leads to pain, cramping and other unpleasant symptoms.

Of course, many people are looking for any available information about the pathology, including photos. Symptoms and treatment of lower limb neuropathy, causes and possible complications are important points that are worth exploring. So why does the disease develop and can it be somehow prevented?

What is a disease?

Neuropathy of the lower extremities is a term under which a number of diseases are combined, accompanied by impaired functioning of the structures of the peripheral nervous system.

If one or another nerve fiber is damaged, then there is a violation of muscle sensitivity, the development of paralysis and a change in other functions of various organs. According to statistics, most often the disease affects the nerve fibers of the lower extremities.

The main reasons for the development

Neuropathy of the lower extremities is a very dangerous disease, which is accompanied by serious disorders and extremely unpleasant symptoms. The reasons for the development of pathology can be very different. In modern medicine, several risk factors are distinguished:

• various metabolic disorders caused by various chronic diseases, in particular, renal failure;
• the presence of endocrine pathologies, namely: impaired thyroid function, diabetes mellitus (diabetic lower limb neuropathy is considered the most common);
• trauma, damage to certain structures of the peripheral nervous system;
• long-term effects of toxic substances on the body (drugs, alcohol, acetone, arsenic, lead, mercury are potentially dangerous);
• severe chronic deficiency of vitamins;
• uncontrolled use of certain drugs, for example, antitumor drugs, antibiotics;
• severe forms of infectious diseases, including mumps, diphtheria, chickenpox, HIV infection;
• systemic autoimmune pathologies in which antibodies of their own immune system attack nerve cells, destroy myelin sheaths;
• the presence in the body of malignant tumors;
• it is proved that there is a hereditary predisposition (for example, a genetic disease such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth amyotrophy, accompanied by the development of neuropathies).

Any of the above conditions can lead to the development of severe damage to nerve structures. During the diagnosis, by the way, it is not enough just to confirm the presence of neuropathy of the lower extremities, it is important to determine the cause of the development of the disease.

Classification: forms and types of neuropathies

To date, there are a huge number of schemes to classify such a pathology. If we take into account the causes of the development of the disease, then several forms:

• Toxic neuropathy develops against the background of intoxication of the body with hazardous substances, poisons, salts of heavy metals, etc.
• Dysmetabolic - a pathology associated with metabolic disorders.
• The most common is diabetic lower limb neuropathy, the symptoms and treatment of which will also be described in the article.
• Separately, it is worth mentioning alcohol neuropathy, from which people who abuse alcohol often suffer. Symptoms increase gradually: first, the muscles in the legs become weak, sensitivity decreases, pain appears, the intensity of which increases as the disease progresses.
• An allergic form of the disease is possible.
• Some patients are diagnosed with inflammatory neuropathy, which is associated with some form of inflammatory process.

Depending on the mechanism of development of the disease, there are:

• primary neuropathy, which develops against the background of genetic diseases (idiopathic forms of the disease are also referred to this group when it is impossible to determine the cause of the development of neuropathy);
• the secondary form of the disease - develops against the background of infections, intoxications, metabolic disorders, etc.

If you take into account the location of the pathological process, then allocate:

• distal neuropathy, which is accompanied by a symmetric lesion of the nerve trunks of both legs, patients in this case complain of pain and decreased sensitivity of the feet, ankles (by the way, these are the symptoms of diabetic lower limb neuropathy);
• proximal form of the disease, which is accompanied by nerve damage in the upper legs and hips (patients feel pain in the buttocks and hips, often lose the ability to walk independently).

The nature of damage to nerve structures is also taken into account. As you know, the nerve fiber consists of axons (long processes of neurons) and the myelin sheath.

• Axonal neuropathy is accompanied by direct damage to the axons. The disease develops slowly, accompanied by severe pain and progressive muscle atrophy.
• Sometimes neuropathy of the myelin sheaths also develops . First of all, damage to the membranes of motor and sensory fibers is observed.

The type of fibers that pathology affects is also important.

• Motor neuropathy is accompanied by damage to motor nerve fibers. Patients suffer from muscle weakness and gradual tissue atrophy. If untreated, the person completely loses the ability to move.
• Sensory neuropathy is characterized by damage to sensitive fibers. The ability to move is preserved, but the sensitivity is significantly reduced or, conversely, increased. Patients suffer from constant pain and tingling. Sometimes even the slightest touch causes an attack of sharp pain.
• If the pathological process affects the autonomic fibers (autonomic neuropathy), then the patient has abnormalities from different organ systems. For example, in men against the background of the disease, impotence develops. Perhaps a violation of the urinary system, increased sweating, etc.
• There are mixed forms of the disease that combine all of the above symptoms. Against the background of the disease, both axons and myelin sheaths are damaged.

Motor disorders

Symptoms of lower limb neuropathy can be different - it all depends on which particular nerve fibers were affected. If motor fibers were involved in the pathological process, then the signs will be as follows:

• there is a decrease in reflexes, in particular, of the knee and Achilles (such a symptom needs to be detected only during a neurological examination);
• patients note the periodic appearance of spasms and muscle cramps in the affected areas;
• muscle weakness appears, which gradually increases (it is difficult for the patient to move, his gait changes, sometimes his ability to move is completely lost);
• since the muscles stop functioning normally, their fibers begin to gradually atrophy (this process can last for years, but in the absence of therapy will inevitably lead to disability).

Sensory Disorders

Sometimes neuropathy is accompanied by damage to sensitive fibers, which leads to the appearance of very characteristic symptoms:

• Patients complain of constant aching pain that spreads along the affected nerve.
• Other disorders appear, for example, a tingling sensation or the presence of a foreign body under the skin. Such discomfort is present constantly, which affects the emotional state of a person. Patients become irritable and nervous, because it is almost impossible to get rid of unpleasant sensations.
• Sometimes there are violations of a certain form of sensitivity. For example, sometimes in patients the pain threshold decreases or rises. Some people say they stop feeling skin heat and cold, touch and pressure. Violation of the sensitivity of the skin of the feet greatly complicates the movement of a person, because it is difficult for him to maintain balance while walking.

Vegetative-trophic symptoms of lower limb neuropathy: photo and description

It is worth noting that these symptoms are most often accompanied by a diabetic form of the disease. To begin with, tissue trophism is impaired, which leads to thinning of skin tissues. The integuments become dry, more susceptible to external factors. As the disease progresses, fissures, abrasions, erosions and ulcers can appear on the affected areas of the skin, which are difficult to treat.

The appearance of other symptoms is possible:

• the appearance of age spots;
• hair loss;
• the formation of persistent swelling of the legs;
• weakening of the regenerative properties of skin tissues;
• sweating disorder.

Such symptoms can by no means be ignored - it is important to consult a doctor on time. Only a specialist will be able to draw up an effective treatment regimen for lower limb neuropathy.

Diagnostic Methods

Symptoms of lower limb neuropathy can be different. If you notice any violations in yourself, you should definitely consult a doctor. Diagnosis in this case includes several procedures.

• First, information is collected on the symptoms, as well as a physical examination.
• The doctor also checks for the presence of certain reflexes.
• The patient gives blood samples for general and biochemical analysis. It is also important to check your blood sugar if you suspect a diabetic lower limb neuropathy (treatment depends largely on the nature of the primary disease).
• Electroneuromyography is performed. A similar procedure allows you to detect existing deviations and changes in the speed of electrical impulses along nerve fibers.
• Patients are often sent for spinal puncture. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid allows to detect the presence of infection or inflammatory process.
• An ultrasound of the pelvic organs and abdominal cavity is performed (this procedure allows you to detect the presence of concomitant pathologies).
• Mandatory is an X-ray examination of the spinal column.
• If an inflammatory and malignant process is suspected, a biopsy is sometimes performed.

The results of the above studies help the doctor make a final diagnosis.

Neuropathy of the lower extremities: treatment with drugs

In no case should such a problem be ignored. Be sure to consult a doctor - only a specialist can determine the presence of neuropathy of the lower extremities. Symptoms and treatment in this case are closely related, therefore, medications are selected individually.

For example, with toxic damage, it is necessary to quickly remove hazardous substances and their metabolites from the body. Treatment with diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities involves the use of hormonal agents (synthetic insulin) and the preparation of a proper diet.

• First of all, patients are prescribed drugs that improve the conductivity of nerve fibers - this helps to restore sensitive and motor functions.
• Severe pain and inflammation are relieved with steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients are usually prescribed drugs containing methylprednisolone.
• Severe pain can be stopped with the help of Analgin (used as a solution) or Tramadol.
• If the pain syndrome is not so pronounced, then the discomfort can be removed with the help of special ointments (for example, means with lidocaine) or even pepper plasters.
• Such drugs as Pentoxifylline, Trental, Vazonit are also used. Medications improve blood circulation in the vessels, which positively affects the nutrition of tissues.
• Injections of B vitamins help relieve pain, improve nutrition in tissues and nerves, and eliminate spasm.
• Medications such as Piracetam and Mildronate also improve tissue nutrient intake.
• With spasms and convulsions, muscle relaxants, such as Baclofen, are indicated.
• Additional recommendations are given to patients with diabetic lower limb neuropathy. Treatment with drugs that help control blood sugar and insulin levels is also necessary.
• Sometimes antidepressants are additionally used.

It is these drugs that are taken by patients who are diagnosed with lower limb neuropathy. Treatment with drugs, of course, makes it possible to cope with the symptoms of the disease and stop the further development of the pathological process.

Physiotherapy for neuropathy

The treatment of lower limb neuropathy can be supplemented by various physiotherapeutic procedures.

• If there is a toxic damage to the body, then plasmapheresis is mandatory, which ensures the rapid elimination of toxins.
• Regular therapeutic massage sessions help relieve muscle spasm, improve blood circulation and, accordingly, tissue nutrition.
• The treatment regimen also includes special therapeutic exercises. Regular exercises help maintain muscle tone, prevent the development of atrophy.
• A good effect is magnetotherapy.
• Sometimes patients are prescribed nerve stimulation sessions using special electrical appliances.
• Some methods of alternative therapy are also effective. Sometimes patients are recommended acupuncture, stone massage, treatment with leeches.
• An important part of treatment is a proper diet. Patients are advised to include more fruits, vegetables and dairy products in their diet. It is worth giving up spices, preservatives, spicy, fatty and fried foods. Alcohol is banned. It is also worth giving up smoking, chewing tobacco.

As a rule, such procedures, coupled with correctly selected drugs, help slow down the development of the pathological process, and sometimes even restore sensitivity and motor function.

Traditional medicine recipes

Some home remedies will help to cope with the symptoms:

• Salt is considered effective. It is simple to prepare it - you just need to fill the bucket halfway with hot water, add 150 ml of table vinegar (9%) and 200 g of ordinary salt there. Such a foot bath should be carried out daily for a month.
• Blue clay compresses will also help. By the way, the powder can be purchased at any pharmacy.
• It is useful to add a decoction of needles to the bathing bath.

Such remedies help relieve pain and eliminate some other symptoms. Nevertheless, they cannot replace full-fledged drug therapy - you can not refuse the help of a doctor.

Preventive actions

Today, many people are interested in information about this disease and its symptoms, looking for photos. Neuropathy of the lower extremities is a dangerous and extremely unpleasant disease. Unfortunately, specific prophylactic drugs do not exist. But there are some medical prescriptions that should be done in order to protect yourself:

• if you are forced to work with toxic substances, then you need to take protective drugs, follow safety precautions;
• all inflammatory and infectious diseases should be treatable on time;
• need to abandon alcohol, drugs, tobacco;
• any drugs can be taken only with the permission of the doctor, observing the correct dosage;
• it is important to wear comfortable shoes, avoid injuries and hypothermia of the feet, monitor hygiene;
• it is necessary to maintain good physical shape, keep body weight normal;
• proper nutrition and an active lifestyle will help strengthen the body;
• it is important to control blood pressure, take appropriate medications.

This is a very dangerous disease that should not be ignored. With timely and correct treatment, the symptoms of lower limb neuropathy begin to disappear, so the prognosis for patients is favorable. However, severe forms of pathologies lead to disability.