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If you’ve been told you have neuropathy, you may not initially know what this means.  For some, this can be a moment of confusion. Others may go into “fix -it” mode. For others, this diagnosis can sound absolutely terrifying. First, let me assure you that you are not alone. An estimated 50 million Americans suffer some form of chronic pain or neuropathy.

The summer season is upon us, and you know what that means — it’s time for picnics, graduations, weddings, theme parks and the outdoors. Summer brings the opportunity to share laughs, indulge in treats and enjoy quality time with those we care about.

Don’t let your nerve pain keep you from enjoying the summer holidays! Celebrate this Fourth of July by taking steps to regain independence from your neuropathy.  Be it a holiday, vacation or everyday activities, no one wants to feel hindered from the things that matter because of their pain. As we celebrate the Fourth of July, let’s not forget that freedom from neuropathy is achievable.

An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from some form of chronic pain severe enough to frequently limit life and work activities, according to a Centers for Disease Control 2018 report. Chronic pain can be debilitating and hinder independence, making it one of the most common reasons adults seek medical attention. ​ Neuropathy or chronic nerve pain can be tortuous to those who suffer from it. Treating this kind of pain can be tricky, while physical treatments such as INF™ have been proven an effective way to reduce the pain that patients experience.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that sickle cell disease affects approximately 100,000 Americans. The disease occurs in 1 out of every 365 African-American births and the trait is found in about 1 in 13 African-American babies. ​ With April being National Minority Health month, we’re taking this opportunity to specifically focus on diseases that most affect minority groups, such as sickle cell disease and the nerve pain that can accompany its effects. ​ What is sickle cell disease exactly?

One of the number one complaints from people living with neuropathy is heightened nerve pain during the night. Restless, seemingly endless nights of little to no sleep not only disrupt your life but increase your nerve pain over all. Living with chronic nerve pain, it’s important to understand why your pain is worse at night and how you can help it. In a previous blog post, we discussed some of the common reasons why nerve pain takes a stronger hold after the sun goes down. First, you have fewer distractions — no meetings, phone calls, events or errands to fill your brain.

Happy New Year 2019 from all of us here at the Neuropathic Therapy Center. The new year often comes with new beginnings and new resolutions but also new challenges. Whether you’ve been living with it for years or you’re just newly dealing with symptoms, life with chronic nerve pain can present daily challenges. Here are three tips to help combat the challenges and face 2019 with a positive handle on your nerve pain. Stay active It may be difficult to want to socialize, exercise or even leave your home when your nerve pain is severe.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. But if you experience chronic pain, lower temperatures can make it one of the most difficult times of the year. Neuropathy — like most chronic pain — often gets worse as temperatures drop. Blood flow slows in your outer extremities when your body is exposed to cold. Nerve pain — especially in your hands and feet — increases as your circulation decreases. The change in barometric pressure — due to temperature drops — intensifies pressure on the nerves, which send pain signals to the brain.

If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, you know it’s a daily routine of closely monitoring what you eat, trying to fit in regular exercise, taking medications and testing your blood sugar. The added stress and discomfort brought on by nerve pain can be exhausting and even unbearable — a struggle that up to 50 percent of people with diabetes face every day. Diabetes can cause diabetic neuropathy if blood sugar levels aren’t monitored and controlled.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and we’re taking this opportunity to specifically focus on the nerve pain of those fighting breast cancer and other cancers alike. ​ While there are many highly recognized side-effects from chemotherapy treatment — including fatigue, hair loss, nausea and vomiting — nerve pain isn’t necessarily at the top of the list. However, some chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer can cause nerve damage. This is specifically called “chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy” (CIPN).