Nerve damage and disease can be debilitating. Peripheral neuropathy most commonly affects people over 55, and up to 4% of people in this age group experience symptoms. If untreated, peripheral neuropathy can severely affect your quality of life, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Vladimir Fiks, MD, is a leading interventional pain management physician at Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon. With his team, he treats all peripheral neuropathies to provide ongoing pain relief. Book your appointment through this website or over the phone.
Peripheral nerves are nerves outside of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). They carry messages between the central nervous system and the rest of the body — tissues such as the internal organs, muscles, and skin.
Peripheral neuropathy is a term used to describe the problems that occur when the peripheral nerves become diseased or damaged. Dr. Fiks has advanced training in treating the varied symptoms that result from peripheral neuropathy.
Doctors classify peripheral neuropathy in two ways: by severity or by the type of nerve they affect.
Severity
There are specific terms to describe the severity of peripheral neuropathy. Mononeuropathy affects one type of nerve in one area, while multiple mononeuropathy affects one type of nerve but in two or more unique areas. Polyneuropathy affects many types of nerves at the same time.
Nerve type
Each nerve in the peripheral system has a unique function. Motor nerves control muscle movement. Autonomic nerves control internal organs and affect functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion. Sensory nerves determine sensations, like temperature, touch, and pain.
Through his thorough evaluation, Dr. Fiks identifies the nerves affected and the severity of your peripheral neuropathy to create a comprehensive treatment program.
Because each nerve has a unique function, your symptoms will depend on which nerves are damaged. You might experience:
If you experience these symptoms, speak with Dr. Fiks. He treats pain and other symptoms to make life more comfortable for you.
Some people are more at risk of developing peripheral neuropathy than others. Common contributing factors include:
Peripheral neuropathy can cause uncomfortable, often painful symptoms. Advanced Pain Management Center offers expert corrective measures to treat pain and target the root cause. Call the practice today or book through the online scheduling tool.