For many Americans, living with neuropathy is one of the greatest challenges they face. Present in about 8% of people around the world, neuropathy - or peripheral neuropathy, to be more accurate - can affect anybody. In the United States alone, there are more than 40 million people with neuropathy, with health costs surpassing $4 billion each year. Approximately 10% of people over 40 years of age get neuropathy, as do 50% of diabetics and 20% of patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. In fact, the number of people with neuropathy is only increasing as diabetes becomes more common, the population ages and people with HIV/AIDS live longer.
While some patients have a higher risk of developing specific types of peripheral neuropathy, it does not discriminate between race, sex, age, personal circumstances, or medical history. Fortunately, neuropathy awareness is growing, and by proxy, so are new treatment options. If you've been suffering from the symptoms of neuropathy and are in search of a solution, Kennedy Health Clinic can help with our doctors preferred treatment for neuropathy in legs and feet in North Star, DE. From advanced therapies to state-of-the-art technology, we utilize the latest advancements in pain management to help you regain your quality of life.
But to truly understand how neuropathy treatment can help, it's important to first understand the disease and how it affects your nervous system.
Peripheral neuropathy is a term used to describe nerve disorders that affect a specific part of your nervous system. There are several conditions that can lead to peripheral neuropathy, resulting in a variety of symptoms. The symptoms and the body parts affected by peripheral neuropathy depend on the underlying cause.
Peripheral neuropathy can manifest in a variety of ways. It has the potential to impact a single nerve, a group of related nerves, or numerous nerves in several areas of the body. The specific symptoms will vary based on which type of nerve signals are affected, and it is possible for multiple signal types to be involved.
Symptom types include the following:
Now that we've covered some of the most difficult symptoms to live with when you have neuropathy, you're probably wondering how Kennedy Health Clinic can help. Before recommending treatment, your neuropathy doctor will suggest one or more diagnostic tests for a full-body analysis. Doing so will help our team provide better neuropathy treatment for both short and long-term needs.
People living with neuropathy have to deal with difficulties that most men and women in America don't ever think about. It's understandable, then, that they may become tired and even depressed because of their condition. That's where Kennedy Health Clinic steps in - to provide advanced neuropathy treatments and, ultimately, enhanced quality of life.
At Kennedy Health Clinic, we're dedicated to improving the overall health and well-being of our patients. We offer effective pain management treatments and holistic healing options to provide comprehensive care. Our commitment to our patients has made us a trusted partner in health and wellness - and we're ready to help you, too.
If you're suffering from nerve pain or other symptoms due to neuropathy, it's time to seek professional help. Our advanced neuropathy treatments are tailored to your body, your health needs, and your neuropathy goals. That way, we can give you the most effective and efficient care possible. When you trust our team of knowledgeable doctors, you're taking the first step toward a normal life without the painful surprises caused by neuropathy. Contact our office today to get started.
Peripheral neuropathy is a term used to describe nerve disorders that affect a specific part of your nervous system. There are several conditions that can lead to peripheral neuropathy, resulting in a variety of symptoms. The symptoms and the body parts affected by peripheral neuropathy depend on the underlying cause.
The nervous system in the human body is divided into two parts - the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system includes all other nerves present in the body. That includes those that travel from the spinal cord and brain to supply the face and other parts of the body.
Whenever there is any condition that affects the peripheral nerves, it is referred to as peripheral neuropathy. Healthcare providers often use the terms "neuropathy" and "polyneuropathy" interchangeably with "peripheral neuropathy." It is important to note that peripheral nerves, being the farthest from the central nervous system, tend to show the earliest and most severe effects of these conditions.
In order to comprehend the impact of peripheral neuropathy on your body, it's useful to have some knowledge about neurons - a crucial type of cell that forms your nerves. These neurons utilize electrical and chemical signals to transmit and relay messages throughout your nervous system. Each neuron in your body is made up of the following:
A cell body is the primary part of a cell.
An axon is a long, arm-like projection that extends from the cell body of a neuron. At the end of the axon, there are several finger-like extensions called synapses, which convert the electrical signal in the neuron into a chemical signal. These synapses then transmit the signal to other nearby nerve cells.
Dendrites are small, tree-like extensions on the cell body that receive chemical signals from nearby neurons' synapses.
This is a protective covering made up of thin, fatty chemical compounds that surround the axon of many neurons.
The development of peripheral neuropathy and how long it takes depends on its underlying cause. If the cause is an injury, it can develop instantly or within a few hours. However, some forms of peripheral neuropathy caused by toxins or inflammation may develop rapidly over days or weeks. In contrast, most other conditions that cause peripheral neuropathy take months, years, or even decades to develop. Regardless of the cause, modern advances in medicine give patients hope for recovery, using doctors preferred treatment for neuropathy in legs and feet in North Star, DE.
The peripheral nervous system in your body carries motor signals that originate in your brain and are sent to your muscles. These signals allow you to move around and carry out various physical activities. For your muscles to remain healthy and function properly, they require nerve connections to the brain. Some motor symptoms include:
Nerve connection loss causes your muscles to weaken and shrink. With peripheral neuropathy, this happens most often in your lower legs, feet, and hands. Occasionally, patients will experience deformities in their hands and feet due to muscle loss.
Muscle weakening is a common issue caused by nerve deterioration from peripheral neuropathy. This condition can result in paralysis, making it difficult to move toes or causing foot drop and hand weakness. Additionally, it can also affect muscles in other areas of the body, such as the thighs and arms.
When nerves lose a connection to your brain because of your neuropathy, they can become hyperactive, resulting in uncontrolled muscle movements and cramps.
Did you know that your body has several processes that happen automatically without your conscious effort? These automatic functions are known as autonomic processes, and they include things like sweating, digestion, and blood pressure control. Autonomic nerve fibers are responsible for carrying signals for these automatic processes. However, disruptions in these signals can cause your body's automatic processes to malfunction. Some of these processes may work intermittently, while others may not work at all.
Some autonomic symptoms of neuropathy include:
People living with neuropathy have to deal with difficulties that most men and women in America don't ever think about. It's understandable, then, that they may become tired and even depressed because of their condition. That's where Kennedy Health Clinic steps in - to provide advanced neuropathy treatments and, ultimately, enhanced quality of life.
Some of our most popular neuropathy treatments include:
This device is designed to improve blood and oxygen flow, which in turn promotes optimal nerve and nervous system functionality. As a result of the healthy, oxygenated blood, damaged or weak nerve endings receive a rejuvenating boost, which may be experienced as a slight tingling sensation.
Did you know that infrared lights have amazing benefits for our bodies? They can help repair cells and improve the circulation of oxygen-rich blood, which in turn promotes faster healing of deep tissues and relieves pain.
For individuals dealing with diabetic neuropathy, the primary objective is to either reverse diabetes or decelerate its progression. Functional medicine involves incorporating lifestyle modifications to maintain blood sugar levels consistently at a healthy range, which all but eliminates diabetes. Choosing functional medicine recommendations is almost always preferred over invasive and more complicated treatments, and our team is here to help you get started.
Our providers may suggest advanced cellular therapy as a final option for those who have tried other treatments without success and are suitable candidates. This therapy can assist in improving the healing and treatment process of individuals who are experiencing neuropathy.
Living a life free of neuropathy symptoms doesn't have to be a pipe dream - it can be an achievable goal with the help of our advanced neuropathy therapies. Contact Kennedy Health Clinic today to schedule your free initial consultation. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to long-term recovery and pain relief.
EducationA North Star Academy student from the class of 2037 attends orientation for kindergarten.Photo Credit: Courtesy of North Star AcademyHundreds of new North Star Academy families — many of them returning with their older children’s younger siblings — attended parent orientation this month.Photo Credit: Courtesy of North Star AcademyUna maestra de North Star Academy en la...
A North Star Academy student from the class of 2037 attends orientation for kindergarten.Photo Credit: Courtesy of North Star Academy
Hundreds of new North Star Academy families — many of them returning with their older children’s younger siblings — attended parent orientation this month.Photo Credit: Courtesy of North Star Academy
Una maestra de North Star Academy en la orientación para padres este mesPhoto Credit: Courtesy of North Star Academy
A North Star Academy student from the class of 2037 attends orientation for kindergarten.Photo Credit: Courtesy of North Star Academy
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By TAPinto Staff Report
Published June 18, 2024 at 4:40 PM
Last updated June 20, 2024 at 6:46 PM
Parents watched intently as Principal Keila Fernandez showed a picture of student writing when they first arrived in kindergarten this school year.
For the most part, the writing was just a series of doodles.
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Then Fernandez showed the same student’s writing six months later – a five-sentence story told with vibrant words. Some of the parents gasped, and most beamed.
“If that’s what we were able to do in six months, imagine what we can do in five years or 13 years,” Fernandez said during an orientation at North Star Academy West Side Elementary School, where she has worked for the last decade.
In many ways, she was preaching to the choir. Hundreds of new North Star families — and many of them returning with their older children’s younger siblings — are going through parent orientation this month.
Demand for North Star Academy. — one of the best performing charter schools in the country — has been on the rise.
For the upcoming school year, kindergarten registration is already up more than 9%, continuing a long-term trend of increasing enrollment at the school. During the 2023-24 school year, the school enrolled 6,474 students in Newark, up 124 students over the previous year.
The gains in enrollment are a reflection of an overall trend in Newark, where the number of students in both charter and district schools continues to grow annually.
An increasing number of North Star families are Latino and many are learning English for the first time. Second grader Brittany Villa was excited to have her little brother, Leam, meet her English as a Second Language teacher Ms. Watley at a recent parent orientation. Like other guardians at the orientation, her mother was able to listen to all of the presentations in Spanish with a live translator.
In the 2023-24 school year, Newark had 56,816 students, up 1,339 students, according to the state Department of Education. The district added 810 students, bringing its total to 36,176 while charters added 529, bringing the total number of students attending charters to 20,640.
North Star is a free public school and open to all students, including students with special needs and students learning English.
The majority of students enter kindergarten, though students can enter any grade if there are seats available. The vast majority of students go on to college with almost all of their tuition paid for with scholarships.
The school starts at 7:45 a.m. and students can stay until 3:40 p.m. through its aftercare program. The school year begins in late August.
Though there is no test or interview to get in, North Star’s students outperform the state’s most affluent districts in both literacy and math.
During orientation, parents get to meet their children’s teachers and principal and find out how they will work together with the school in order to put their children on the track for college or career.
“Social emotional learning is just as important as the academics, and here we focus on both,” Fernandez told the families, adding that opportunities for “self expression” are plentiful at North Star.
School officials said there are some seats still open for next school year and interested families can visit northstar.uncommonschools.org to learn more.