Yes, many things can worsen neuropathy, including poorly managed blood sugar (diabetes), heavy alcohol use, certain vitamin imbalances (especially B6), some medications, infections, exposure to toxins, high sugar/sodium/processed foods, and even cold temperatures, with symptoms often worsening at night due to natural body rhythms. Essentially, anything that damages nerves or increases inflammation can aggravate existing nerve damage.
Neuropathy can be triggered by various factors such as diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, medication side effects, alcohol use, and autoimmune conditions. Identifying these triggers is key to managing symptoms effectively.
Some less common types of peripheral neuropathy may be treated with medicines, such as: steroids – powerful anti-inflammatory medicines. immunosuppressants – medicines that reduce the activity of the immune system. injections of immunoglobulin – a mixture of blood proteins called antibodies made by the immune system.
Essential Things To Avoid If You Have Neuropathy
"Patients with established neuropathy can have fluctuating symptoms, as their nerves are even more vulnerable to factors that typically cause neuropathy, such as poor glycemic control or excessive alcohol consumption," Dr. Vo explains. "Any secondary factor — even something very small — can aggravate symptoms."
Certain foods can worsen neuropathy by increasing inflammation, raising blood sugar, or depleting key nutrients. These include processed foods, added sugars, alcohol, refined grains, and trans fats. Inflammatory and high-glycemic foods may aggravate nerve damage.
The most effective treatment for neuropathy depends on the cause, but often involves a multi-faceted approach: medications like gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, or amitriptyline for pain; physical therapy for strength and balance; treating the underlying condition (like diabetes control); and lifestyle changes like gentle exercise, stress management (meditation, yoga), and topical treatments (lidocaine, capsaicin). A comprehensive plan combines these strategies to manage symptoms, improve function, and potentially slow progression.
One of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes. People with peripheral neuropathy usually describe the pain as stabbing, burning or tingling. Sometimes symptoms get better, especially if caused by a condition that can be treated. Medicines can reduce the pain of peripheral neuropathy.
Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, can lower neuropathy pain, improve muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi also might help. If you have painful neuropathy in your feet, you may want to try pool-based exercise such as swimming. Quit smoking.
Common toxins that cause neuropathy include: exposure to lead, mercury, arsenic and thalium. Some organic insecticides and solvents can result in neuropathies. Sniffing glue or other toxic compounds can also cause peripheral neuropathy.
Lidocaine injections and patches may help with pain in other instances. And in extreme cases, surgery can be used to destroy nerves or repair injuries that are causing neuropathic pain and symptoms.
Stage 1: In the early stage, you may notice mild numbness and pain in your hands and feet. Something will feel “off.” During this stage, symptoms may be so mild you ignore them. Stage 2: In this stage your pain will become more noticeable and consistent that you can't ignore it.
Some of the drugs that may cause peripheral neuropathy include:
Inflammatory neuropathies can be caused by infections or an autoimmune process. There are several specific causes of this neuropathy. However, in most cases the immune system begins attacking the nerves, which causes neuropathy. Patients can complain of sensory symptoms like burning, tingling or numbness.
Foods That May Heal Nerve Damage
Escalating burning or electric-shock-like pain suggests that injured nerve fibers are firing spontaneously, a clear sign of worsening neuropathic pain. Frequent episodes of intense pain often correlate with higher levels of inflammation and may require advanced therapies to manage the pain signals.
Alcohol – Alcohol is a toxin that can damage nerve cells and worsen neuropathy symptoms. It is best to avoid alcohol if you are living with neuropathy. caffeine – Caffeine can irritate the nerves and make neuropathy symptoms worse. It is best to limit or avoid caffeine if you are experiencing nerve pain.
Vicks Vapor Rub® – Massaging one's feet with Vicks, particularly at night, soothes neuropathic pain and distress in one's feet and legs.
A lack of B12 damages the myelin sheath that surrounds and protect nerves. Without this protection, nerves cease to function properly and conditions such as peripheral neuropathy occur. Even B12 deficiency that is relatively mild may affect the nervous system and the proper functioning of the brain.
When a nerve root in the spinal cord becomes pinched, it is referred to as radiculopathy. This affects the spinal vertebrae, tendons, and intervertebral discs. Radiculopathy is often mistaken for neuropathy because both conditions cause similar symptoms, such as pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling.
Eating a balanced diet. Certain vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamin B12 deficiency, can affect your nervous system and cause major problems. Other vitamins, especially B6, are toxic and cause peripheral neuropathy at high levels. Staying physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.
Deficiencies in vitamins B1 (thiamin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), and B6 (pyridoxine) are also linked to neuropathy, as is a deficiency in a type of vitamin E called alpha-tocopherol. Alcohol misuse can cause a thiamin deficiency and lead to neuropathy as well.
Physical Therapy and Exercises
Your podiatrist might recommend exercises to help with your neuropathy. These exercises can improve blood flow to your feet, which is important for nerve health. They can also help maintain muscle strength and flexibility in your feet and ankles.
Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is when blood does not flow properly to your eye's optic nerve, eventually causing lasting damage to this nerve. With ION, you suddenly lose your vision in one or both of your eyes.
Tramadol, classified as an opioid analgesic, is primarily used for moderate to severe pain, often post-surgery or for chronic conditions like arthritis. Gabapentin, initially developed for epilepsy, has found extensive use in treating neuropathic pain conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia.