Q: I want to know whether there is any cure/drugs for neuropathy. Does neuropathy always results in amputation of toes/feet. I am very worried. Please guide me. Can people suffering from neuropathy live a normal life by taking drugs?

A:The term neuropathy merely indicates disease of one or more peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves, as the name suggests, are situated in the periphery of the body as against cranial nerves that are sited inside the head or spinal nerves inside the vertebral column. I presume you are talking of diabetic neuropathy. This complication of diabetes can be troublesome as it follows narrowing of the small arteries that carry blood to the peripheral nerves. The nerves are starved of blood and are damaged. Once they are permanently damaged, there is little we can do to help. This is one of the reasons why everyone is exhorted to keep their diabetes strictly under check. Within the limitation imposed by the permanently damaged nerves, you should be able to lead a normal life if you now exercise caution and ensure that there is no further damage to your nerves.