Clinical Trial Reported by AARM

Geranium Oil

Clinical studies have shown that using the essential oils of geranium and clove topically can temporarily decrease neuropathy pain. One research trial compared three strengths of geranium oil (100%, 50%, and 10%) with a mineral oil placebo and Zostrix, a capsaicin ointment. Subjects with post-herpetic neuralgia and moderate or greater pain were recruited. The patients completed pain assessments at times 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes following medication.

Results:

• Treatment with geranium oil produced a highly significant reduction in pain (p  £ 0.002) compared to treatment with the placebo.
• The reduction in pain produced by geranium oil appears to increase as its concentration increases (p Â£ 0.003). The observed increase is roughly linear, but a formal dose-response function cannot be defined because of the subjective nature of pain intensity.
• These conclusions were true both for spontaneous pain and for evoked pain.
• The response of an individual patient to treatment with geranium oil was similar for spontaneous pain and evoked pain (p £ .008): those who experienced relief with one kind of pain also experienced relief with the other.

The trial demonstrates that patients with neuralgia experience less spontaneous pain when treated with 100% and 50% geranium oil than when treated with a placebo, p £ 0.002. The averaged pain relief across all evaluated patients increased with increasing dosage of geranium oil, p £ 0.003. The same conclusions hold for the evoked pain (allodynia), p £ 0.0002.

Approximately one third of the patients had major relief, with little or no pain remaining; another third had some relief, such as reduction from severe to moderate pain; and the remaining third did not experience any benefit from geranium oil. There were no significant adverse events from the use of geranium oil. Only four patients of 30 had any adverse reactions, all mild, which were either a transient rash that resolved within the hour, or a burning sensation in the eyes that resolved within minutes.

Generally, users of geranium oil have reported that relief is experienced within 5 minutes and lasts for between 45 minutes and 6 hours, depending on the type and severity of the neuropathy.

Healthcare professionals have reported that geranium oil is useful for the following conditions:66

• Shingles (Herpes zoster)
• Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)
• Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathies
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophies (RSD)
• Spinal Compression Pain, including Sciatica
• Causalgias
• Radiculopathies
• Phantom Limb Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Bells Palsy
• Trigeminal Neuralgias
• Myofacial Pain

Note:  While this Clinical Trial is informative, it leaves out vital information.  There are 185 varieties of geranium oils in the world.  Only 3 have any medicinal properties.  Further, many "geranium" oils that are sold are either synthetic and/or diluted.  Treating yourself with off the shelf geranium oil can be a dangerous exercise and you should never treat yourself with 100% pure essential oils!

Reunion contains only the finest pharma grade geranium oil as ONE of the active ingredients.  Other oils are used that are anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, etc.  Reunion users report numerous additional disorders where Reunion has been helpful.  (see below)

Diabetic Foot and Amputation Statistics

1. Diabetes affects 26 million people in the US and more than 250 million people worldwide.

1. 60-70% of those with diabetes will develop peripheral neuropathy, or lose sensation in their feet.

1. Up to 25% of those with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer.

1. More than half of all foot ulcers (wounds) will become infected, requiring hospitalization and 1 in 5 will require an amputation.

1. Diabetes contributes to approximately 80% of the 120,000 nontraumatic amputations performed yearly in the United States.

1. "Every 20 seconds, somewhere in the world, a limb is lost as a consequence of diabetes"

1. After a major amputation, 50% of patient will have their other limb amputated within 2 years.

1. The relative 5-year mortality rate after limb amputation is 68%. When compared with cancer – it is second only to lung cancer (86%).  (Colorectal cancer 39%, Breast cancer 23%, Hodgkin's disease 18%, Prostate cancer 8%)

1. People with a history of a diabetic foot ulcer have a 40% greater 10 year mortality than people with diabetes alone.
2. Iversen, et al, Diabetes Care 32:2193-2199, 2009

1. Every 30 minutes a limb is lost due to a landmine.
   Every 30 seconds, a limb is lost due to diabetes.

1. Having a wound immediately doubles ones chances of dying at 10 years compared with those without diabetes.
2. Iversen, et al, Diabetes Care 32:2193-2199, 200

Topical Pain Relief Treatments Explained.

While skin covers our entire bodies serving as a critical wall against germs, it does not act as the origination point of pain sensations sent to our brains through our central nerve systems which lies just under your skin.  There are numerous theories regarding the origination and transmission of pain.  The truth likely lies within several of these theories, or maybe just one, depending upon the individual.  There are hundreds of known causes of pain and if it can not be identified it is referred to as idiopathic.

Of course many systemic (pills) solutions are available such as Cymbalta, Neurontin, NSAID (i.e. aspirin) each with their benefits and side effects to some extent or another.  Unfortunately, the same systemic drug in the same dosage does not work for everyone and there are many pain suffers who do not want to take more drugs for whatever reasons.

There are alternatives to prescription systemic solutions.  Usually Over the Counter (OTC) topical pain relievers are moderately effective for a short period of time, are relatively inexpensive compared to prescription meds and may or may not be convenient to use.  Topical applications have the inherent advantage that they bypass your stomach, kidneys and pancreas.  They do not need to transverse 90 miles of your blood system to find the point of discomfort.  Topical relievers apply the analgesic transdermally through your skin applying analgesics directly at the point of need.

Some use oils, menthol, camphor, wintergreen to make your skin feel hot or cold.  While the sensation may be soothing, they are not long lasting.  Generally used for muscular pain, they may reduce inflammation and serve as a diversion away from the pain itself.  Products using these counterirritants include Icy Hot, Biofreeze and Flexall  454.

Other products have salicylates as ingredients … the pain relief found in aspirin.  There may be side effects to salicylate products, including blood thinning and allergic reactions.  You will find these in Bengay, Aspercreme, Sportscreme and Mobisyl.

A third type of topical pain relievers use Capsaicin, finely ground chili pepper seeds.  The effect is an extremely strong burning sensation and you might want to consider using gloves for application.  Avoid using Capsaicin products such as Capzasin or Zostrix after bathing.

A new category completely apart from the above boasts of being all-natural essential oil and skin care solution.  Leading this breakthrough is Pure Biomed with their Reunion product line.  Reunion quickly penetrates your skin and appears to neutralize the neuro sensors sending pain signals to your brain.  Not only does Reunion come in highly concentrated Intense Spot Relief oil, Pure Biomed has also combined ISR into Daily Use premium lotions and creams specifically for hands, feet, body and facial needs.  Generally no side effects have been reported other than some fibromyalgia sufferers are more comfortable with creams and lotions than Intense Spot Relief oil.  Reunion is not especially effective on rheumatoid arthritis, gout and related bone damaging maladies.  However, people with peripheral neuropathy, osteoarthritis and muscular pain will find relief within minutes of application. The pain relief effect generally last from 4 to 24 hours.  Reunion is not sold in retail stores; you can find the Full-Spectrum line at www.ReunionPN.com

When to use Reunion topical pain relief products:

Thousands of users are reporting excellent pain relief results using Reunion pain relief products.  Because skin on different parts of your body has different needs and absorbsency, Reunion Full Spectrum Relief products deliver the correct amount of skin conditioning as well as Intense Spot Relief as needed.  Aside from the pain relief properties of various oil, creams, lotions and gels, the conditioning properties of Reunion products are superb.  The cosmetic base of each product is super-premium grade.  Many users report the cosmetic side of the products as Best I have ever used!

Aside from the skin conditioning, users also report extraordinary temporary pain relief for a host of pain maladies.  Severe and/or constant pain is your body telling you something is wrong.  Seeking temporary relief is not a substitute for working with your health professional.  Reunion products do NOT cure any malady, although they may provide temporary (usually 4-24 hours) of relief which can be repeated at will.  You are encourage to read the many 5-star Customer Reviews on the ReunionPN.com website that may be accessed from the product information pages or the synopses at the bottom left of the any page.  Every Review is 100% authentic!

A significant innovation in the treatment of pain is laser technology.  Low powered laser and other light therapies can penetrate as much as 2" to treat nerve conditions.  Light therapy is now used by chiropractors, acupuncturists, physical therapists and other health professionals.  Practitioners using laser therapy report applying Reunion ISR after the treatment dramatically increases the pain relief and patient experience by "Quantum Leaps" over using either the light therapy or Reunion ISR by themselves.

Customers have reported excellent results for thefollowing:

Musculoskeletal Pain:

• Chronic Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Muscular Pain
• Upper and Lower Back Pain
• Hip Pain
• Knee Pain
• Acute Pain         

Nerve Pain:

• Peripheral Neuropathy Chronic Nerve Pain (Central Nervous System)
• Carpal Tunnel
• Chemo-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)
• Pinched Nerve and Degenerative Spine
• Fibromyalgia
• RSD/CRPS
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Sciatica

 Miscellaneous Conditions:

• Osteoarthritis
• Migraine Headaches (apply to temples)
• Insect Bites
• Lyme Disease
• Varicose Veins
  
• Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) Scarring from Shingles

1. Temporary relief from pain without side effects.
2. Relief from stress caused by pain.
3. Ability to sleep uninterrupted by pain.
   

Applies in Seconds, Works in Minutes, Lasts for Hours!

FDA Warns Companies About Marketing Unapproved Topical Pain Relievers

The Food and Drug Administration today is warning companies about selling over-the-counter topical pain relief products containing ibuprofen , which have not been reviewed or approved by the agency.

Eight companies have been sent warning letters from the FDA informing them that their products require approval of a new drug application in order to be legally offered for sale in the United States. While the FDA allows some over-the-counter drugs to be sold without agency approval, that exemption does not apply to products containing the pain-killer ibuprofen, the FDA said..

These companies have an obligation to the public to demonstrate to the FDA that their products are safe and effective, and they have failed to do so, said Deborah M. Autor, director of the Office of Compliance at the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Ordered to Stop Selling

The FDA warning letters advise the companies to immediately stop marketing their products without agency approval. The companies have 15 business days after receiving the warning letter to tell the FDA how they will correct the violations and prevent similar violations in the future, officials said.

The FDA has not approved any topical ibuprofen products, billed by companies as safer alternatives for pain relief than oral ibuprofen, which can cause stomach ulcers, cardiovascular effects, and other side effects after prolonged use.

However, manufacturer claims that topical creams containing ibuprofen are safer than pills containing the drug have not be evaluated or reviewed by the FDA, officials said. Also, the agency has not determined the side effects of the topical ibuprofen treatments.

The following products and manufacturers have been sent FDA warning letters:

• Emuprofen (Progressive Emu, Inc.)
• BioEntopic 15% Ibuprofen Creme (BioCentric Laboratories, Inc.)
• Ibunex Topical Ibuprofen (Core Products International, Inc.)
• LoPain AF 15% Ibuprofen Creme (Geromatrix Health Products)
• IB-RELIEF (MEKT LLC)
• Profen HP (Ridge Medical Products)
• IbuPRO-10 Plus (Meditrend, Inc. dba Progena Professional Formulations)
• IBU-RELIEF 12 (Wonder Laboratories)

Note:  Reunion products contain NO ibuprofen, menthol, camphor, aspirin (salicylate), capsaicin or wintergreen.  Reunion ISR ingredients can be found under the product description.

Misuse of Over-The-Counter Pain Medication Is Potential Health Threat

ScienceDaily (May 30, 2012) — A significant number of adults are at risk of unintentionally overdosing on over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication, according to a new study in the US by Dr. Michael Wolf, from Northwestern University in Chicago, and his colleagues. Their work, looking at the prevalence and potential misuse of pain medication containing the active ingredient acetaminophen (Tylenol) as well as the likelihood of overdosing, appears online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, published by Springer.

Many adults in the US regularly use OTC pain medication containing the active ingredient acetaminophen, the most commonly used OTC pain medication in the US (Tylenol.) They take it either on its own or in combination with other drugs, which may also contain acetaminophen. The ease of access to OTC drugs presents a challenge to patient safety as many individuals may lack the necessary health literacy skills to self-administer these medicines appropriately. Indeed, individuals make independent decisions that match an OTC product to a self-diagnosed symptom or condition. Worryingly, acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure

FDA alert: OTC topical pain relievers linked to serious burns

Note:  Reunion contains no menthol, capsaicin or salicylates.  Reunion has never had even a single report of an allergic reaction.                      

Do topical pain relievers really work?

December 23, 2008

When something like a knee hurts, there's a natural tendency to rub it. And if it really hurts, most of us will think about popping a pain-relieving pill of some kind - acetaminophen (Tylenol) for starters, or perhaps one of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).

But there are also dozens of topical pain relievers - creams, ointments, and oils that let us rub and get our pain medication. The over-the-counter products are sometimes grouped into a "muscle rub" section at the drugstore. The cortisone creams and other products for dealing with minor skin irritations are in a different section and aren't covered in this article.

Applying medicine right to where it hurts certainly has a lot of intuitive appeal. And for people whose gastrointestinal tracts don't react well to NSAIDs (a common problem), or who are reluctant to take pills for whatever reason, the topical approach is tempting.

The rub? Lingering doubts about whether these remedies work. And it can be hard to figure out whether a treatment is effective. The bar can be set pretty low: an ointment that provides a soothing sensation for a short while might be said to work by some definitions. And the placebo effect - benefit that comes from the patient's expectations rather than the treatment itself - is a major complicating factor in treatment of something as subjective as pain.

On the other hand, there's no question that active medicine can penetrate the skin and get into the body (how much is absorbed is a separate question). And, at least in theory, exposing just a painful area to a medication should mean fewer side effects than taking a pill, which involves gastrointestinal absorption and circulation of the drug in the blood.

Here's a quick rundown of some of the active ingredients in commonly available topical pain relievers:

NSAIDs

NSAID gels and ointments are not new, but they're getting a closer look these days. Rofecoxib (Vioxx) and other drugs in the COX-2 class had been positioned as safer, "gut-sparing" alternatives to the oral NSAIDs, but rofecoxib was pulled off the market in 2004, so there's now a gap that the topical NSAIDs might fill. (Celebrex, a different COX-2 inhibitor, is still on the market.) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a gel form of an NSAID called diclofenac (pronounced dye-KLOE-fen-ak) for osteoarthritis and there are diclofenac patches. Several ibuprofen creams are available.

The gastrointestinal problems (stomach upset, ulcers, bleeding) caused by oral NSAIDs are the result of both direct irritation of the gut's mucosal lining and systemic effects - chiefly the lowering of prostaglandin levels in the blood, which may reduce the integrity of the gastrointestinal lining. So if an NSAID delivered topically gets into the blood in large amounts and lowers prostaglandin levels, it might very well have a similar side effect profile as one that has been swallowed - even in the absence of direct contact with gastrointestinal tissue. But from what has been seen so far, gels and ointments result in lower NSAID blood levels than the pill forms of the drugs. For example, blood level from topical diclofenac is about 6 percent of the level that results from the same dose of the drug in oral form.

The research is spotty, but those lower blood levels seem to translate into fewer side effects, aside from local skin irritation. In a study comparing an ibuprofen ointment to ibuprofen pills published in 2008 in the journal BMJ, people in the ointment group suffered fewer side effects than those who took pills.

Note:  The FDA has banned the use of ibuprofen in topical pain relievers.

Fewer side effects don't mean much if topical NSAIDs don't work to ease pain. Indeed, some experts look at the low blood levels and say that topical drugs can't be very effective in such low concentrations, aside from perhaps having some skin-deep, anti-inflammatory effect.

The data from clinical trials are mixed and open to multiple interpretations. A 2004 meta-analysis published in BMJ came to the conclusion that after the first two weeks of use, there was no evidence that topical NSAIDs were any more effective than a placebo. The Medical Letter, a well-regarded newsletter on new therapies, said the diclofenac gel might be modestly effective but also noted that the high placebo response leaves room for doubt. The ibuprofen pill and ointment study published in BMJ ended in a tie in terms of pain relief effectiveness, but researchers noted in their conclusion that one interpretation of the results could be that neither preparation is particularly effective.

The bottom line: NSAID ointments and gels probably are less likely to cause side effects than the oral versions, but there are doubts about how effective they are.

MENTHOL

Menthol's familiar cooling sensation is the flip side to capsaicin's burning, although it's not expected to "max out" neurons and cause desensitization like capsaicin. Essentially, it creates a pleasant diversion from pain or other irritations - a reasonable goal, particularly if it can outlast the pain, but not really a treatment for pain or inflammation. Camphor has a similar effect.

Menthol is an active ingredient in most of the traditional rub-in products, like Absorbine Jr. and Bengay, so in addition to the cooling sensation, the first whiff brings back memories. The only active ingredients in the IcyHot products are menthol and methyl salicylate. It's unclear what would cause a hot sensation.

Like capsaicin, menthol doesn't change the skin's temperature; it creates a cooling sensation by attaching to a certain neuronal receptor. Scientists have found that receptor in cancers, so there's some hope that menthol could be used to make cancer treatment more effective. File this, though, under very preliminary.

The bottom line: Menthol used in topical pain relievers is a harmless substance that causes a pleasing sensation that counteracts pain, but it doesn't influence the underlying cause or inflammation.

METHYL SALICYLATE

Methyl salicylate is a wintergreen-scented compound that's an active ingredient in many over-the-counter pain-relief ointments, including some varieties of Bengay. Scientists have discovered that for the plants that produce it, methyl salicylate seems to be part of a warning system that helps the plant fend off disease. It's one of a group of chemicals known collectively as salicylates because salicylic acid is their shared, root compound. Aspirin - salicylic acid with an acetyl group attached (thus its formal chemical name, acetylsalicylic acid) - is the best known of the salicylates. Trolamine salicylate, the active ingredient in Aspercreme, is another salicylate used in topical pain-relief medications.

There's little, if any, rigorous research into methyl salicylate's effectiveness as a pain reliever. On the other hand, there's not much question that once a salicylate compound is absorbed and metabolized into salicylic acid, it has some effect on pain and inflammation, and studies have found that methyl salicylate is well absorbed.

The bottom line: Products that contain methyl salicylate might provide some pain relief, but there's no solid proof. Anyone with an aspirin allergy or who is taking blood thinners for cardiovascular disease should consult a doctor before regularly using topical medications that contain salicylates.

CAPSAICIN

Capsaicin is the chemical found in chili peppers that gives them their hot, spicy taste. It's also the active ingredient in several over-the-counter pain products, including Capzasin HP, Sloan's Liniment, and Zostrix. The burning sensation from capsaicin is supposed to do more than just get your mind off the pain, although it does that quite well. In theory, neurons shut down after they've been stimulated by the chemical, so the burning and other unrelated sensations - including pain - cease. We say "in theory" because the results from studies testing the low concentrations of capsaicin present in most over-the-counter products (0.075 percent or less) haven't been impressive.

Note:  Reunion products contain no NSAIDs, ibuprofen, menthol, methyl salicylate, capsaicin or benzocaine.  This article was published in 2008, well before all-natural, botanical, essential oil-based Reunion was available to the public.  Reunion is 100% guaranteed to Apply in Seconds, Work in Minutes and Last for Hours!  

Neuropathy treatments for feet very important

Treatment for Neuropathy in feet is one of the most frequent complications of diabetes. But unluckily that is something which is challenging to look after. You can get hurt without even knowing as the nerve endings in the foot dies. The high blood sugar levels, low circulation, and lack of sensation make it much more likely that this injury will become severely infected. This is why many diabetics need lower limb amputations. Treatment for foot peripheral neuropathy are many and people may choose a natural option. The most common and frequent prescription is regular cardiovascular exercise. Exercise helps to get the blood moving in the feet again and assists raisjing nerve activity and helps to prevent further worsening. It won't reverse the condition, regrettably.

Neuropathy treatment has shown great results worldwide

A small study performed at Harvard using a few test subjects showed enough success to assure the user additional research will be performed down line.   As per the experiential and anecdotal evidences chemotherapy (CIPN) and other types of pain respond to treatments.  There are some natural compounds that are beneficial in treating the anguish and burning connected with neuropathy. One is capsaicin, a derivitive of hot chiles, in cream or ointment form.  The application of capsaicin must be mild as it may lead to rashes and and extreme burning sensation. To ease neuropathy pain, magnesium, evening primrose oil, and vitamin b-6 in addition have been used in homeopathic therapy.  The primary problem with the treatment for neuropathy in legs is the two different facets of it. There is the pain and burning associated with the nerve damage that the feet are going through, but there is also a loss of sensation that happens when those nerves are destroyed. So the best is to go to your doctor to ascertain the best course for you.

Neuropathy (Diabetic)

Millions of people are living with some form of neuropathy. The term neuropathy means a condition in a nerve or group of nerves that causes pain and dysfunction. There are many different causes of neuropathy and a broad range of symptoms.

Unfortunately, there is no single good treatment for most of the neuropathies, and many neuropathies have no known cause. A number of prescription drugs are used, but all have side effects, and none can actually correct the underlying nerve defect that causes the pain. Nutrient therapy offers a promising alternative for people who want to avoid the side effects of prescription drugs.

Neuropathies can originate either within the central nervous system (these are called central neuropathies, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome), or in the peripheral nerves, which lie outside the central nervous system. These are called peripheral neuropathies and account for the majority of cases. They can have many causes, such as toxins, including alcohol, and metabolic diseases. Diabetes is the cause of the most common peripheral neuropathies.

Why Neuropathy Hurts

In all forms of neuropathy, there is abnormal stimulation of nerves or damage that results in pain. Peripheral nerves are sensitive conduits that carry impulses from the extremities back to the central nervous system (i.e., the spinal cord and brain). Impulses are transmitted along nerves by changes in the electrical charge of the cell membrane caused by movement of ions such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. Impulses are transmitted between nerves by neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and substance P, which is responsible for transmitting pain impulses. For protection, most nerves are covered with a thin sheath called myelin, which is made from choline and lipids. The myelin functions like the rubber wrapping around an electrical cord: it insulates the nerve fibers and prevents abnormal transmissions.

Depending on the nature of the specific neuropathy, some part of this system breaks down. In diabetic neuropathy, for example, there is a change in the microvascular network that supplies the nerve with nutrients. This lack of blood supply and nutrients causes the nerve to function abnormally. Diabetic neuropathy tends to occur in more than one nerve area (this condition is called polyneuropathy) and may cause loss of sensation and pain that typically worsens at night. In severe cases, diabetics can suffer from a kind of neuropathy called autonomic neuropathy. In this case, the autonomic nervous system, which controls automatic body functions, is affected with possibly serious consequences, including gastrointestinal problems, bladder-emptying problems, abnormal heart rhythms, and even sudden death (El-Atat FA et al 2004).

Neuropathies can also be caused by specific nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B12 deficiency, and infectious diseases such as syphilis.

Pain associated with neuropathy can be very intense and may be described as cutting, stabbing, crushing, burning, shooting, gnawing, or grinding. In some cases, a minimal stimulus such as a light touch can trigger severe pain, or pain may be felt even in the absence of any stimulus. If a problem with the motor nerve has continued over a length of time, muscle shrinkage (atrophy), or lack of muscle tone, may be noticeable.

Options for Treating Neuropathies

Unfortunately, treatment options for most neuropathies are less than ideal. The following are some of the common strategies:

• For diabetic neuropathy, blood glucose control is essential because glucose causes high levels of oxidative stress throughout the body. In animals, antioxidant therapy, with glutathione and other antioxidants, has been shown to help prevent neuropathy (Osawa T et al 2005).
• Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause peripheral neuropathies, optic neuropathies, and pernicious anemia. This condition is typically treated with vitamin B12 shots. Additionally, folic acid deficiency has been linked to various neuropathies and is usually treated with supplementation (Sadun AA 2002).
• For neuropathies that are caused by an autoimmune disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Guillain-Barre, treatment is generally aimed at the underlying inflammatory condition.
• For neuropathies caused by nerve pressure, treatment focuses on relieving the source of the pressure. This strategy may include ergonomic changes to alter any repetitive motions or positions (such as at a keyboard) that caused the neuropathy, or even surgery to relieve internal pressure. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of neuropathies in the wrist and hand.
• For neuropathy caused by exposure to toxic metals such as lead or mercury, or to medications, treatment focuses on reducing exposure to the offending substance and reducing blood levels of any toxins. Antioxidants ar also frequently used to reduce oxidative stress.

A number of medications may also be prescribed or recommended to help deal with the pain. The most common ones are pain relievers, including over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Because of the risk of serious liver and kidney toxicity, The long-term use of acetaminophen for treatment of neuropathies is not recommended. Aspirin is also frequently suggested for mild neuropathy.

For more serious neuropathies, drugs such as gabapentin (Neurontin®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), and phenytoin (Dilantin®) may be prescribed. Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a prescription drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat peripheral vascular disease.  Research also suggests that Cytomel®, a drug used to treat hypothyroidism, is also effective at regenerating damaged peripheral nerves.  Finally, antidepressants are sometimes used. These drugs may have side effects that discourage people from continuing their medication.

Unfortunately, none of these medications can actually fix the underlying nerve damage. They can only reduce the pain associated with neuropathies.

Vitamin Supplements for Neuropathy

Vitamin B1 (thiamin) and benfotiamine. Some animal studies have shown a decrease in pain with a combination of vitamin B1, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 (Franca DS et al 2001; Jurna I 1998; Wang ZB et al 2005). The fat-soluble form of vitamin B1, called benfotiamine, has been used effectively to treat alcoholic and diabetic neuropathies. The most marked pain relief from benfotiamine occurred in patients with diabetic neuropathy after only a three-week trial period (Anisimova EI et al 2001; Haupt E et al 2005; Winkler G et al 1999).

Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 inhibits glycosylation of proteins (Solomon LR et al 1989), one the major risk factors for developing diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes patients with neuropathy have been shown to be deficient in vitamin B6 and to benefit from supplementation (Jones CL et al 1978). Interestingly, the neuropathy caused by vitamin B6 deficiency is indistinguishable from diabetic neuropathy.

Vitamin B12. A neuropathy caused by vitamin B12 deficiency is characterized by numbness of the feet, pins-and-needles sensations, or a burning feeling (Davidson S 1954; Sancetta SM et al 1951). Supplementation that restores normal B12 levels is a part of successful treatment of diabetic neuropathy (Bhatt HR et al 1983). In a review of clinical trials conducted between 1954 and 2004, vitamin B12, as well as combination therapy of vitamin B12 and methylcobalamin, was shown to reduce pain (Sun Y et al 2005).

The most common forms of supplemental B12 are cyanocobalamin or hydroxycobalamin. The natural form of B12 found in food is methylcobalamin (or a similar form, adenosylcobalamin). The structure of B12 is very complex, with numerous methyl groups attached. Methyl groups (CH3) are used in beneficial methylation reactions, such as those that reduce homocysteine. Methylcobalamin appears to be the most effective form of vitamin B12 to protect the nerves.

Vitamin C. Insulin facilitates the transport of vitamin C into cells, decreasing capillary permeability and improving wound healing. Diabetes depletes intracellular vitamin C, which deprives a diabetic of vitamin C’s cellular protection (Sinclair AJ et al 1994). Vitamin C levels have been shown to be reduced in diabetic patients (Ziegler D et al 2004).

Vitamin E. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that reduces levels of free radicals and oxidative stress. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study of 21 patients with type 2 diabetes, large doses of vitamin E were studied for their ability to reduce neuropathy. During the six-month study, patients were either given placebo or 900 mg vitamin E, then measured for nerve conduction and function. The researchers found that mild to moderate defective nerve conduction was improved with high-dose vitamin E, which suggested that patients with neuropathy might experience a reduction in symptoms (Tutuncu NB et al 1998).

Neuropathy treatments best suited to fight the symptoms of pain

As treatment of neuropathy which are both key components to coping with neuropathy pain to keep a positive attitude and outlook, exercise can help you .For diabetic neuropathy treatment as a remedy, alcohol, drugs, organic and heavy metals as a toxins can be given often times although all of that are harmful in any quantity and they can come in lot of forms .Toxins can contaminate drinking water, old paints and imported goods occasionally, although to avoid ingesting or handling toxins is easy the majority of the periods . Diabetic neuropathy treatment is helped by using a water filter and buying certified toxin free imported goods.  Progressive and irreversible are looked upon as pain, disability, vascular disease, and nerve degeneration as with diabetic neuropathy are associated the peripheral complications . By and large progression of the disease is the prognosis but pheripheral neuropathy treatments is the better to fight against ongoing pain, amputation of digits or limbs, and increased disability .Problems that are an effect of or co-contributors to these disturbed biochemical processes include altered gene expression with altered cellular phenotypes and decrease in neurotropins. Human recombinant nerve growth factor were disappointing for clinical trials of the best studied neurotropin . In that instance focal or asymmetrical diabetic neuropathy syndromes, vascular injury or autoimmunity may play more significant roles.