Peripheral neuropathy occurs when there is nerve damage that causes weakness, pain, and numbness in areas of the body, especially the feet and hands. It can result from traumatic injuries to the affected area as well as be linked to certain diseases such as diabetes. Evaluating your loved one’s current diet might provide some additional relief. Having an in-home care provider help with grocery shopping during this time will be useful in assisting your loved one in finding those good replacements as well as avoiding hidden amounts of these foods in less known food and beverages.
The symptoms of neuropathy can vary depending on which nerves are affected. It can cause a sharp, jabbing pain, a sensitivity to touch, or a gradual onset of numbness that starts in the hand or foot and gradually moves up the arm or leg. While finding the underlying cause will help address the effects of the neuropathy, the symptoms may continue to persist and bother your loved one.
You don’t need to have your loved one quit all of these foods at first. It helps to keep a food diary and eliminate one at a time to see if your loved one has noticed reduced symptoms when he isn’t eating or drinking a specific item. It can be beneficial to have your in-home care provider keep a diary for your loved one to write in each day about his nerve pain while eliminating a certain food. His in-home care provider can also help him find good food supplements for the ones he eliminates.
Here are five foods to consider eliminating from his diet.
- Artificial Sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners have been linked to causing nerve damage that contributes to neuropathy. Your loved one may find them in his soda, sweeteners, and yogurt.
- Alcohol. Drinking alcohol can damage the nerves that control the feet and legs, leading to numbness and tingling, especially if your loved one partakes in regular consumption of alcohol. While an occasional drink here or there may not cause issues, try having your loved one eliminate it for a month to see if he feels any better.
- Caffeine. Caffeine is another ingredient mostly found in beverages that can increase the amount of nerve pain your loved one feels. Caffeine can increase heart rate and blood pressure, both of which can contribute to nerve pain. It can damage nerves and exacerbate neuropathy symptoms, especially if your loved one is gluten into
- Gluten. Gluten is a protein that is in wheat, barley, and rye. Even if your loved one isn’t gluten sensitive, he may find that reducing it, it’ll help with his neuropathy symptoms.
- Fried Foods. Fried foods increase inflammation in the body which can increase neuropathy symptoms. Those high levels of unhealthy fats damage the nerves.
By making small changes to his diet, your loved one can protect his nerves, reduce inflammation, and manage his pain better.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care Services in Tustin CA, please contact the caring staff at Canaan Home Care today! 1-844-CANAAN-1 (1-844-226-2261)
Canaan Home Care – A Premier Provider of Senior Home Care in the La Jolla, Del Mar, San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Tustin, and Manhattan Beach areas.
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