Why is it important to treat PN if it is “not really bothering me”… what is the optimal timing for intervention?
In our experience and that of many experts in the field, many symptoms of PN are due to nerves that have swollen (due to diabetes or other factors) or otherwise become “compressed” as they travel through certain narrow anatomical tunnels, in the arms, legs, hands and feet, similar in many ways to Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. As these swollen nerves pass through these tunnels, they are “pinched off”, thereby cutting off the flow of oxygen and other vital nutrients (“ischemia”) to the part of the nerves coming out of the tunnel (“proximal nerve”). The symptoms of burning, tingling, pain, loss of sensation, etc. are signs that the nerves are being deprived of oxygen and nutrients, etc. and that the nerves may be in some stage of dying or death. It is important to treat PN early to prevent too much nerve tissue from dying. Once a certain amount of nerve tissue has died, it is difficult or not possible to reverse the symptoms. Left untreated, PN may lead to infections, ulcers, amputation and dis
