Because focal neuropathy is nerve specific, treatment varies according to the symptoms. Treatment of the underlying cause is the first step with neuropathies. In patients with diabetes, it is important to maintain the physician-prescribed glucose (blood sugar) level. A glycohemoglobin test result of 7 percent or less is a typical goal.

Controlling glucose helps prevent or delay the onset of neuropathy for people with diabetes. With focal neuropathy, it also means reducing or eliminating the symptoms.

Besides controlling glucose, other preventive treatments include:

• Proper diet for weight control
• Treating and preventing high blood pressure
• Exercise and active lifestyle
• Good skin care and foot care
• Avoiding smoking and limiting use of alcohol
• Close monitoring by medical professionals

Carpal tunnel syndrome, a common type of focal neuropathy, affects a nerve in the wrist. Often the cause is unknown, but risk of developing this painful condition can be reduced by practicing good posture and body mechanics (e.g., not bending the wrist too far up or down, relaxing the grip, taking rest breaks from tasks such as typing and use of hand tools).

The second focus of treatment is symptom relief. In focal neuropathy, pain in the torso, feet and hands may be significant. Physical and occupational therapy may help with muscle pain and weakness. In addition to exercises, the therapist may fit various splints to relieve pain, especially for compressed nerve damage in the hand.  Electrical stimulation may be provided to improve the muscle weakness in the face found in Bell’s palsy.

Physicians may recommend several over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin or other anti–inflammatory drugs, for pain relief. For severe cases, research has shown that certain antidepressant and antiseizure medications have been effective in reducing pain from neuropathy by blocking the pain receptors in the brain. Analgesic topical creams containing capsaicin may be rubbed on the skin to reduce the pain in a muscle or joint. These creams contain ingredients that produce a hot, cold or numbing sensation to calm the nerve endings and reduce discomfort.

In some cases of focal neuropathy, surgery may be an option for treatment. With a compression neuropathy, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, surgery can release the compressed nerve and reduce the pain or numbness. Other compressed nerves may benefit from surgical intervention. An orthopedic surgeon may determine if surgery is an option for treatment for the nerve damage.

Scientists are developing innovative ways of treating diabetic neuropathies, including gene therapy.

Because the symptoms from focal neuropathy are usually not longstanding, the faster the glucose is controlled in patients with diabetes, the quicker the symptoms may disappear. The risk factors for neuropathy are closely related. Improving one factor (diet and weight) will most likely improve another factor (glucose level). A healthy, active lifestyle is a cornerstone of treating and preventing focal neuropathy.