Dysesthesia refers to an altered or unexpected feeling in one or more parts of the body. It may be present all the time or the dysesthesia may only happen when the affected area is touched. The sensation may be felt as a burning, numbness, tingling or itching. Dysesthesias happen most often when nerves are irritated, pinched or damaged.
In most cases, there is no single, curative treatment for neuropathy of the feet.
For the most common neuropathies affecting the feet, typical treatments include:
• treating any contributing condition – For example
o diabetic neuropathy – good control of blood sugar can reduce the chance it will worsen (though tight blood sugar control will not necessarily improve symptoms once neuropathy is present)
o inflammatory or autoimmune neuropathy – treatment targeting the immune system and anti-inflammatory medications can improve symptoms or even eliminate them in people with conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome or neuropathy due to vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation)
o vitamin deficiency – treatment with supplemental vitamin B12 deficiency can halt progression or even reverse symptoms of related neuropathy
o thyroid deficiency – treatment with supplemental thyroid hormone usually eliminates related neuropathy symptoms
• Treatments to reduce pain or other symptoms, such as
o gabapentin or pregabalin
o amitriptyline or other tricyclic antidepressants
o duloxetine
o many others (including carbamazepine, tramadol and baclofen)
• Treatments to reduce the impact or complications of neuropathy, including:
o Physical therapy
o Bracing, splints, assistive devices, shoe inserts
o Proper foot care
In most people with neuropathy involving the feet, a combination of 2 or more of these approaches is most helpful.
There are many causes of low back pain and in many cases, the cause is unknown even after full evaluation. When a cause can be identified, some of the most common are:
• trauma – injuries to bones can lead to fracture; muscle injury, strain and tears are also common and may lead to muscle spasm
• disc disease – one or more discs may bulge out of its normal location between spinal bones; this is also called a herniated disc or “slipped disc”
• osteoarthritis (also called degenerative joint disease)
• scoliosis
• spinal stenosis – this is a narrowing of the spinal canal, where the spinal cord is located
• nerve compression or irritation – this may complicate any of the conditions above)
Dangerous conditions, such as infection or tumor, are much rarer causes of back pain.
In many cases, low back pain is not caused by a single cause; instead, 2 or more of the conditions noted above contribute to symptoms.
The whooshing sound in one ear is known as pulsatile tinnitus. Some people describe it as a thumbing in the ear. Usually pulsatile tinnitus is not a cause for concern, especially if it lasts just a short time. However, you should contact your doctor. High blood pressure, ear problems, severe anemia and an overactive thyroid gland can cause pulsatile tinnitus. On rare occasions, pulsatile tinnitus can be a symptom of an abnormality of the carotid artery or other blood vessel close to the affected ear.
Pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs indicate nervous system abnormalities. Pyramidal signs can be identified on neurological exam and can include weakness, hyperreflexia, and the Babinski reflex. Extrapyramidal signs are involuntary muscle movements such as muscle contractions, muscle stiffness, facial contortions, an inability to sit still, and tremors.
Trismus refers to very tight jaw muscles that stop a person from opening their mouth. It can happen without an underlying cause. However, new onset trismus needs prompt medical evaluation. Underlying causes include a severe throat infection, tetanus, temporal mandibular joint disorders, and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
The term "neuropathy" means nerve disease. Polyneuropathy means that multiple nerves in the body are affected. Peripheral neuropathy is a subtype of polyneuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is nerve disease involving branches of nerves that are farthest away from their origins in the spinal cord. For example, peripheral neuropathy most commonly affects the hands or feet. It causes burning, tingling, or numbness.
A hydrocele is a fluid collection surrounding the testicle due either to overproduction or poor absorption of fluid. The hydrocele does not affect the function of the testicle. Hydroceles don’t require any treatment unless they are large enough to be embarrassing or uncomfortable. Doctors can draw off the fluid through a needle and syringe, then inject a sclerosing solution to cause inflammation and scarring, obliterating the space. Because the procedure can be painful and the hydrocele can recur, men often prefer having a minor surgical procedure to repair it permanently.
Huntington’s disease is an inherited nervous system disease that affects muscle function, mental health and leads to progressive cognitive decline. There is no treatment to cure Huntington’s disease or slow its progression. Therapies that may lessen the severity of symptoms include speech therapy and physical therapy and medications to help to control mood and involuntary movements.
Unfortunately, there are no exercises known to reliably benefit someone with an inguinal hernia. In fact, certain exercises that increase pressure within the abdomen (such as lifting weights or sit-ups) may worsen the condition. Exercises that may be better tolerated include low-impact, low-intensity activities, such as cycling, walking, swimming or yoga.
An inguinal hernia can cause serious complications so rather than rely on exercise, it is important for people with an inguinal hernia to seek specific advice from their doctor regarding activities to favor or avoid and for monitoring.