How many stages are there in peripheral neuropathy?
There are four stages of peripheral neuropathy: the early, intermediate, late, and very late stages. Early-stage symptoms may include tingling or pins-and-needles sensations in the ankles or hands. The intermediate stage is typically characterised by more pronounced symptoms, such as tingling, pain, and paralysis in the extremities. The advanced stage is characterised by an accelerated loss of function in the extremities and may result in disability. The very late stage is frequently accompanied by irreversible nerve injury. (6)
An early
At the onset of neuropathy, it is normal to experience discomfort and numbness. Symptoms will not persist, but will appear and disappear. You will recognise these initial pain and numbness symptoms despite their subtlety.
For instance, tingling or numbness may occur in the hands and feet, but it will eventually subside. In addition, if you have neuropathy, your equilibrium and reflexes may be out of whack compared to normal. The initial symptoms frequently recur every few weeks and become steadier over time. Since the initial symptoms of neuropathy are so subtle, it is common for people to disregard them.
Intermediate level
The second stage of peripheral neuropathy is reached when pain and paralysis become more regular and consistent. It is difficult to identify the second stage of neuropathy, but it is evident when patients experience pain and numbness more frequently than before. In the second stage, it becomes increasingly difficult to disregard the pains, numbness, and other symptoms.
When it becomes apparent that something may be awry, a significant number of individuals seek medical care. Most nerve damage is curable if detected and treated by the second stage, but nerve damage may become permanent if left neglected after the second stage.
Late
In the third stage of neuropathy, you experience nearly daily discomfort. Due to the discomfort, you are unable to perform normal daily activities at this point. It is possible that over-the-counter medications are no longer effective, and you are unable to alleviate your discomfort with them. In the third stage of neuropathy, you are likely experiencing additional nerve-related complaints and symptoms.
The legs and feet will become unresponsive to the touch. This is because your brain is not receiving signals from healthy nerves. The numbness and agony may diminish, but this is undesirable. When this occurs, a large number of nerve fibres have disintegrated, indicating that the nerves are decaying. Large nerve fibres are currently irreparably damaged. This stage is likely to effect your equilibrium, making it difficult to walk while maintaining balance. During this stage of neuropathy, you will experience irreversible numbness. To prevent numbness from worsening, it is imperative to obtain treatment as soon as possible.
Very tardy
At this stage of neuropathy, the lower legs and feet are completely devoid of sensation. The only sensation you experience is numbness, not agony. This prevents your brain from receiving signals from your nerves. You have difficulty walking at this time due to the difficulty of walking and your lack of equilibrium. If you become unstable, a wheelchair may be required. At this stage of neuropathy, the loss of sensation in your lower extremities requires urgent medical attention.
The prognosis
The prognosis for peripheral neuropathy can vary depending on the condition’s cause and severity. With treatment, peripheral neuropathy may be reversible in some instances. In many instances, however, the condition is permanent and may necessitate ongoing treatment to manage symptoms. Peripheral neuropathy can result in potentially severe complications if left untreated. (7)
