Treat Peripheral Neuropathy With Thiamine

Neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy is a medical term signifying damage to the peripheral nervous system. Patients with this type of disease experience pain, numbness, or weakness of the hands and feet. Pain is usually referred to as a tingling or burning sensation, while numbness is described as wearing of a glove.

There are several causes that can damage the peripheral nerves like an infection, direct physical injury to the nerve or trauma, toxins and metabolic problems, but the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes.

The nervous system is composed of two parts. The central nervous system, which is composed of the brain and spinal cord, and the rest of the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord are the peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerve damage affects the nerves that receive feelings like pain, heat or touch. It also affects the nerves that are responsible for muscle movement causing muscle weakness.

Typically, the first nerves affected by peripheral neuropathy are the long nerves, a good example are the nerves going to the tip of the toes. Symptoms differ depending on which type of nerves are affected. The signs and symptoms are: Slow onset of tingling and numbness of the feet or hands, burning pain, sharp jabbing pain, sensitivity to touch, lack of coordination and weakness or paralysis of the foot or arm. 

With the right neuropathy supplement, peripheral neuropathy can be treated and the symptoms can improve with time, especially if the underlying condition is treatable. Usually, a patient can improve his or her neurologic function with thiamine intake.

Thiamine or vitamin B1 is part of the B-complex water soluble vitamins. Thiamine has numerous roles in the body. It helps carry electrolytes to travel in and out of the muscle and nervous cells, ensuring proper functioning of the muscles and nervous system. So it is important to take thiamine daily to counter the effects of peripheral neuropathy.

 

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Our nervous system comprises a complex network of nerves fibers that sends out and receives signals from other structures of the body. This signal exchange is vital for regulatory, defense and overall homeostasis of the body.

The nervous system is generally composed of two major parts: The central nervous system which consists of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system which involves any nerves outside the central nervous system.

The central nervous system functions as the main processor of the whole nervous system and controls all bodily functions. The peripheral nerves on the other hand have two segments. One segment sends out nerve signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, organs and other bodily structures. The other segment sends back signals from the joints, skin and other organs back to the central nervous system. 

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of peripheral nerves and does not involve the spinal cord and brain. There are several causes that can damage the peripheral nerves like cancer, vitamin deficiency,  alchololism and many more.

The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is a major concern because it mainly involves legs and feet. 50% of all foot amputations are due to this condition.

How does diabetic neuropathy occur?

Our nerves and blood vessels work hand in hand to function properly. The blood vessels supply nourishment to the nerves and the nerves give out signals to the brain whether to increase or decrease blood flow to a certain area of the body. In diabetes mellitus, the blood vessels especially the small distal blood vessels get obstructed, minimizing blood flow, this is called microvasculinization. This causes the nerves to malfunction and fail to send important sensory messages to the brain.

Of all the structures of the body, the foot is most prone to this condition because it is most distal to the heart. Decreased sensory function on the foot is dangerous and can be fatal if not treated properly.

First of all, small cuts or blisters could not be felt by a patient with neuropathy of the foot. Since there is minimal blood supply to the foot, there is delayed would healing. This will cause opportunistic bacterium that normally live on the skin to flourish and can infect the wound without the patient knowing it. And since diabetics have high sugar content in the blood, this is a perfect medium for bacterial growth and can lead to septicemia. Septicemia is a life threatening condition where a bacterium are able to penetrate and live within the circulatory system, overwhelming the body’s immune system.

Treatment Modalities in Managing Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is condition where the nerves of the peripheral nervous system get damaged. There are different signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, but the more common ones are numbness, sensitivity to touch, tingling sensation, or muscle weakness on the arms, legs, hands and feet. In some cases, patients experience paralysis or burning pain.

Fortunately, there are ways to effectively control and manage these symptoms. There are many treatment modalities that neuropathy patients choose and seek out the right treatment that works for them.

Thiamine 

Thiamine deficiency is a very common cause of peripheral neuropathy. Thiamine or vitamins B1 have various roles in keeping the body working properly. Lack to thiamine can cause tingling sensations, burning sensation, sharp pain or numbness to the hands and feet. To counter this, a neuropathy supplement with thiamine and other nutrients and vitamins are needed like cobalamine (vitamin B12), DHEA and alpha lipoic acid.

Medications

Over the counter pain relievers can sometimes relieve mild symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. For nerve pain, physicians usually prescribe anti seizure medications like garbapentin and phenytoin. Some anti depressants like amitriptyline has also properties to relieve pain. Lidocaine patches can be applied to the painful area. Tramadol is an opiate based painkiller reserved for patients who do not respond to any other treatment.  All drug based medications might have side effects so be aware if any of these products have serious adverse results.

Injection Therapy

This involves injecting a numbing agent like lidocane to the affected area. This technique provides instant but temporary relief. Lidocane or other anesthetic agent blocks the nerve impulses from reaching the brain. Injection therapy is usually done with other treatment modalities like physical therapy.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is essential to improve blood circulation, strength and function in areas affected by peripheral neuropathy.  This involves active and passive exercises.  Stretching and passive range of motion exercise are done to maintain range of motion. Muscle strengthening includes active and resistive and isometric exercise.

Surgery

Surgery is done for certain conditions that may cause peripheral neuropathy. Carpal tunnel syndrome and a nerve compressing tumor are good examples that cause peripheral neuropathy and the only effective treatment is to surgically remove the compressing entity. In this case, the carpal ligament is permanently cut and the tumor is removed both of with relieve pressure to the nerves.

Reversing thiamine deficiency with thiamine supplement  is a well known and often highly successful way to nutritionally manage peripheral neuropathy.