Speaker 1: Hello everyone, I'm Shamy's Tate, and today I'd like to
Speaker 1: talk about a condition that often develops gradually but can
Speaker 1: have a major impact on daily life, peripheral neuropathy. One
Speaker 1: of the biggest challenges with this condition is that many
Speaker 1: people overlook the early warning signs, assuming they'll simply go away.
Speaker 1: The truth is recognizing these symptoms early can make a
Speaker 1: meaningful difference. Let's start with one of the most common signs,
Speaker 1: tingling or numbness. Many people describe it as a pins
Speaker 1: and needles sensation in their hands or feet. At first,
Speaker 1: it may only happen occasionally, perhaps after sitting for a
Speaker 1: long time or at the end of a busy day,
Speaker 1: but if it keeps returning or becomes more noticeable, it's
Speaker 1: worth paying attention. Another symptom I often discusses burning or
Speaker 1: sharp nerve pain. This type of discomfort feels different from
Speaker 1: muscle soreness. Some people describe it as an electric shock,
Speaker 1: while others say it feels like burning or stabbing. Even
Speaker 1: something as simple as wearing socks or having a blanket
Speaker 1: touch your feet can become uncomfortable. These changes are your
Speaker 1: body's way of signaling that the nerves may not be
Speaker 1: functioning as they should. Peripheral neuropathy can also affect muscle strength.
Speaker 1: If you've noticed that you are dropping things more often,
Speaker 1: struggling to open jars, or feeling weakness in your legs,
Speaker 1: don't ignore it. The nerves that control movement can also
Speaker 1: be effected, making every day tasks more challenging than they
Speaker 1: used to be. Balance is another area I encourage people
Speaker 1: to think about. If you are finding yourself stumbling more often,
Speaker 1: feeling unsteady while walking, or avoiding stairs because you don't
Speaker 1: feel confident, those changes deserve attention. Healthy nerves help your
Speaker 1: brain understand where your body is in space, and when
Speaker 1: those signals are disrupted, balance can suffer. One symptom that
Speaker 1: surprises many people is the loss of sensation. While pain
Speaker 1: gets our attention, numbness can be just as concerning. If
Speaker 1: you can't feel a small cut, blister, or injury on
Speaker 1: your foot, it may go untreated and become more serious
Speaker 1: over time. That's why regular foot checks are especially important
Speaker 1: for people who are at higher risk of nerve damage.
Speaker 1: I also want to remind listeners that peripheral neuropathy isn't
Speaker 1: a disease with just one cause. It can be linked
Speaker 1: to diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, certain medications, infections, autoimmune conditions, or injuries.
Speaker 1: Finding the underlying cause is one of the most important
Speaker 1: steps because it helps guide the right treatment plan. My
Speaker 1: message today is simple, listen to your body. Small changes
Speaker 1: in sensation, strength, or balance shouldn't be ignored, especially if
Speaker 1: they continue or gradually worsen. Seeking medical advice early gives
Speaker 1: you more options for managing symptoms and protecting your nerve health.
Speaker 1: Thank you for listening. I hope today's conversation helps you
Speaker 1: better understand the warning signs of peripheral neuropathy and encourages
Speaker 1: you to take action if something doesn't feel right. Early
Speaker 1: awareness can make a real difference, and taking that first
Speaker 1: step toward evaluation is an investment in your long term health.