Small Fiber Neuropathy Symptoms

Small fiber neuropathy is a disease which is caused due to damage to the tiny nerve fibers of the peripheral nervous system that are present below the skin surface. These small fibers enable us to sense change in temperature, pain, discomfort and other such sensations. When the nerve endings are damaged, it leads to loss of sensation. Small fiber neuropathy symptoms are first felt in the extremities of the body like the toes and fingers. Later on, one may experience them in other parts of the body as well.

Causes

There are a number of underlying health disorders that can trigger small fiber neuropathy problems. Diabetic patients are highly susceptible to this condition. This is because increase in blood sugar level has a damaging effect on various nerve fibers of the body including the small fibers. This is also referred to as diabetic neuropathy. Various autoimmune disorders and chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS that affect the immune system often have an adverse effect on the overall nervous system. Besides, injury to the small nerve fibers, nutritional deficiency, thyroid problems, excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking are some of the other factors that are responsible for this problem.

Symptoms

One of the early symptoms of small fiber neuropathy is loss of sensitivity towards heat and cold. Numbness and tingling in hands and feet are the other obvious signs of damage in the small fibers of the body. As the condition of the patient worsens, he or she may lose sensation in the feet and toes completely which makes it difficult to maintain the body balance while walking or standing.

These patients often complain about a burning feet sensation. It is not like any typical pain but is more like a stabbing or stinging sensation that tends to get aggravated when they wear socks or shoes. It can also be felt in the arms, face, back and head which may intensify further when the area comes in contact with clothing.

Damage in small fibers can weaken various muscles of the body. When muscles of arms, legs and hands becomes weak, normal activities like lifting, walking become a challenging task. Weakness in bladder muscles often causes urinary incontinence. Some men suffer from erectile dysfunction because of weakness in muscles.

Some general symptoms of small fiber peripheral neuropathy include low blood pressure, lightheadedness, dizziness, excessive sweating, constipation, diarrhea, skin discoloration, swelling in the affected area, hair loss, brittle nails and so on.

Treatment

The main aim of the treatment is to provide relief from the symptoms. There are a number of medicines that are used to control the burning pain sensation in various parts of the body. It includes anti-inflammatory medicines, narcotic pain relievers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, etc. As these medicines have adverse side effects, their dosage is usually kept low. In some cases, a special technique named Intravenous immunoglobulin (or IVIG) is used to strengthen the immune system. Physical therapy has been proved to be highly beneficial for the purpose of strengthening the weak muscles. Moreover, prognosis also depends on the underlying cause. Hence, the specific health condition needs to be treated with suitable medicines and diet. Like, those who are suffering from diabetes should make efforts to keep the blood sugar level low. One should strictly stay away from drinking alcohol and smoking.

Unfortunately, you cannot get rid of symptoms permanently. However, you can reduce their severity by leading a healthy lifestyle. You must follow a proper diet, maintain a healthy bodyweight and exercise regularly to prevent any further damage to the small fibers.