8 Characteristics and symptoms of nerve damage

The human nervous system is a network of nerve cells that is responsible for transferring implants from the brain to the rest of the body in order to carry out organ functions. Therefore, it is not surprising that a damaged nervous system can affect bodily functions. This nerve damage can be caused by many reasons such as injury, autoimmune disease, diabetes, stroke, or drug side effects.

Traits that indicate you have nerve damage

1. You feel numb or numb

You feel numbness, numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation that radiates around the hands and feet, especially the fingers. If you feel these symptoms while sleeping and are temporary, this is still relatively normal. But if you feel it recurring and for a long time, consult a doctor immediately.

2. It is difficult to move

Nerve damage can reduce blood flow to certain parts of the body, so you will feel stiffness that makes it difficult to move. According to R. Glenn Smith, MD, PhD, a neurologist at the Houston Methodist, if nerve damage occurs in the motor nerves it will cause the sufferer to experience paralysis. These symptoms can also provide a signal if there is a serious problem that requires quick action, such as a stroke.

3. Feet is very painful

If you have persistent intense pain, burning, or tingling that starts in the lower back and radiates to the legs, you may feel sciatica. This indicates if your sciatic nerve is being compressed or damaged, either from a fall or fatigue in the spine.

4. Losing balance

Do you often feel off balance? Like suddenly tripping or even falling? This indicates that there is nerve damage due to lack of coordination. However, the possibility could be a sign of Parkinson's, which is damage to nerve cells in the brain.

5. Frequent urination

Nerve damage can also signal if your bladder is damaged. As a result, you urinate frequently. Especially if you give birth to children normally or have diabetes, then you are more at risk of nerve damage.

6. Frequent headaches

If you experience headaches that occur repeatedly and for a long period of time, you may have one occipital neuralgia which is a condition that can occur when the nerves in your neck are pinched. Immediately see a doctor to determine the condition of the nerves in the brain.

7. Excess sweating

If you sweat excessively or sweat too little without any clear explanation, this could be an information signal that the nerves that carry information from the brain to the sweat glands are being disturbed.

8. The brain's response slows down

Sensory nerves are supposed to alert your brain when things are dangerous and threatening. But in this case, the sensory nerves just don't work as they should. For example, you have had a burn, cut, or trauma because you didn't realize you touched something hot, sharp, or something you didn't feel comfortable with.

What to do if you have nerve damage?

If you experience some of the signs mentioned above, here are some ways you can do it:

1. Consult a doctor

Doctors are your best friends for treating nerve damage. Be a cooperative patient, by answering all the common questions asked by doctors such as how the pain is felt, how long do you feel the pain, and how much it affects your daily activities, you have helped the doctor to determine the cause of pain and how to treat it.

2. Over-the-counter drugs for nerve pain

There are various types of over-the-counter pain relievers. This drug is often used as the first drug to reduce or stop nerve pain. The components in pain medications usually contain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen. Some of these pain relievers can take the form of creams, gels, ointments, oils, or sprays that are applied to the skin over the area where the pain or soreness is felt.

3. Natural treatment for nerve pain

Some people with nerve pain take other medications, such as complementary or natural medicine. For example, doing acupuncture can help heal nerve pain. There are also some people who take dietary supplements (such as vitamin B-12). However, you and your doctor should discuss using these treatments first to ensure that these natural remedies do not interfere with other medical therapies you may be undergoing.

4. Adopting a healthy lifestyle

Although medical treatment can reduce nerve pain, most doctors agree that when the patient is committed to a healthy lifestyle such as exercise, proper diet, and maintaining a healthy weight, it increases the chances of further pain control.