Healthy Foot Blog/Peripheral Neuropathy/Exploring the Role of Age in the Development of Peripheral Neuropathy

Exploring the Role of Age in the Development of Peripheral Neuropathy

Sunday, January 21, 2024

Peripheral neuropathy, a condition characterized by nerve damage, has been linked with over 150 different possible causes. In my studies, my reading and the patients I have worked with, one possible cause that is usually forgotten (or even underestimated) is age. But the truth is, peripheral neuropathy is increasingly common in older adults.

Let me help you understand why:

Repeated Nerve Damage: As we age our nerves become more susceptible to damage due to factors like decreased blood flow, accumulated toxic exposure from the environment, toxic medications or even toxic substance (such as sugar and alcohol).

Loss of Repair Mechanisms: When we are born, we have all the Adult Stem Cells we ever have. As we age these cells also age and lose their ability to repair damaged tissues including nerves. This is the reason we lose the elasticity of our tissues, get wrinkles and ultimately one of the reasons we get peripheral neuropathy.

Health Status: Often as we age, we also lose much of our health including disease processes that damage nerves or reduce our nutrition status. In fact, many of the other causes of peripheral neuropathy correlated directly with the aging body!

Recognizing symptoms early, managing underlying disease processes and providing the necessary nutrition and exercise to optimize overall nerve health can be key to preventing or slowing the progression of neuropathy in the elderly.

The Good News: Even age can be managed and treated as a cause of peripheral neuropathy...usually with amazing results!