Isis Neuropathy Today Summer 2014

NEUROPATHY

TODAY S U M M E R 2 0 14 | W W W. I S I S N E U R O PAT H Y.C O M

Signs & symptoms Pain Numbness Tingling Burning Loss of balance Sleep loss Cutting edge treatments IMPROVE YOUR LIFESTYLE,

improve your pain

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DELICIOUS RECIPE FOR

summer Q&A

Expert answers questions about cancer and chemotherapy

Sharon Toth Nurse Practitioner, Isis Neuropathy

COVER STORY

Walking on pins and needles Symptoms such as numbness are signs of neuropathy

By Elise Riley

P

rickly toes and sleepy feet might sound as an annoyance for some, but for most patients these symptoms are quite serious affecting patients quality of life. Neuropathy is caused by damage to the peripheral nerves and affects more than 40 million Americans (Hovaguimian & Gibbons, 2011).

Neuropathy symptoms arise due to damage to the small nerve fibers causing a disruption to the electrical impulse transmission for one axon to another; this impaired signal transmission results in symptoms such as numbness, burning, tingling, and impaired sensation.

“Neuropathy can be insidious, with gradual unnoticable onset that can be easily dismissed by patients and providers as daily nuisance,” says Sharon Toth, NP-C, a Nurse Practitioner at Isis Neuropathy Treatment Centers of Arizona. “Circulatory problems are easier to identify unlike nerve damage complications.”

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SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Neuropathy signs and symptoms varies; ranging from numbness to severe pain in the extremities.

Isis Nurse Practitioner Toth treats patients experiencing an array of neuropathy symptoms ranging from numbness, difficulty grasping, severe pain, tingling, burning, spasms and cramps.

According to Toth, neuropathy pain is individualized and difficult to describe; some patients describe the feeling as having frostbite and placing toes under hot water with the resulting burning sensation. Some patients experience this pain on a daily basis. Neuropathy typically starts in the toes, fingers and as it progressively worsens spreads to the extremities.

Neuropathy damage arises from a variety of diseases, which include: diabetes, trauma, carpal tunnel, arthritis, thyroid diseases, vitamin B12 deficiencies, celiac disease, chemotherapy and antiviral agents. Nearly one-third of neuropathy diagnosis are from unknown causes.

Neuropathy symptoms not only affect the quality

NEUROPATHY TODAY Summer 2014

“The pain is very individual, so it can be hard to describe.

The best way to describe it is the feeling if you have frostbite and you put your toes under hot water and it burns.

Patients have that pain 24/7.”

— SHARON TOTH Nurse Practitioner, Isis Neuropathy Centers of Arizona

of life, they can be life threatening. Patients may develop severe infections leading to amputations, falls leading to prolong hospitalization, and in some cases death.

TREATMENT Neuropathy, as in most chronic diseases, has no cure; but there are a variety of drugs geared at management of neuropathic pain. For patients experiencing symptoms such as numbness or unable to tolerate pain medication, there was no hope until now.

Isis Neuropathy Centers of Arizona has adopted an FDA-approved treatment protocol that aims to manage all neuropathy symptoms, including numbness, improving strength, managing pain, burning, tingling and generalized discomfort with an 87 percent success rate.

Isis treatment protocol consists of a combination of electrical stimulation and local anesthetic

for pain management into the affected extremity. Nurse Practitioner Toth says: “We want to help improve our patients quality of life; our treatment protocol not only involves treatment but also includes a holistic approach aimed at healthy living, patient education, and reducing narcotic use.”

The treatment protocol involves twice weekly 45-minute sessions for approximately eight weeks. Treatments are FDA approved and covered by Medicare and most major insurance companies. “Our mission is to improved patients quality of life and we work with those patients who are unable to afford care,” Toth says.

Studies show peripheral nerve can be regenerated; the Isis treatment protocol reduces tissue inflammation, improves lymphatic circulation, reduces edema, stimulates muscle and tissue regeneration, and relieves pain.

QA &

Living with chemotherapyinduced neuropathy

By Meghann Finn Sepulveda

When certain chemotherapy drugs cause damage to the peripheral nerves, it is referred to as chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. The National Cancer Institute estimates 30 to 40 percent of all cancer patients experience chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.

Sharon Toth, nurse practitioner, Isis Neuropathy Centers of Arizona, answers some common questions related to this medical condition and provides tips on minimizing pain and treatment.

Q.What are the symptoms associated with neuropathy?

A. Patients often complain of numbness, tingling and loss of balance.

In more severe cases, patients have reported changes in heart rate or blood pressure, paralysis and even organ failure.

Q. How are cancer patients affected?

A. The chemical agents found in chemotherapy drugs can ultimately lead to neuropathy, and is considered to be a side effect of the medication. While there isn’t a clear trigger, we do know there is cause and effect which usually occurs within a short timeframe – less than two years — surrounding cancer diagnosis. Usually with proper treatment, we can stop the progression, if not reverse neuropathy completely.

Q. Is there a way to reduce risk?

A. Yes. Sometimes an oncologist will recommend patients receive smaller doses of chemo more frequently and over a longer period of time.

Small changes to improve your lifestyle

By Meghann Finn Sepulveda

What if you learned that making small dietary changes could significantly help in alleviating pain associated with neuropathy? Experts have identified five foods for achieving better health that contain immune system boosting compounds, help guard against hormonallydriven cancers, reduce inflammation, and protect your heart.

“We encourage, counsel and guide patients to incorporate balanced nutrition,” says Sharon Toth, nurse practitioner, Isis Neuropathy Centers of Arizona. “Our goal is to decrease or eliminate medication for neuropathy.”

Here are the foods that Toth and her colleagues recommend: Cooked Asian mushrooms: At less than 100 calories per cup, these can help boost your immune system and prevent illness.

Whole soy foods: Aim to consume 1 to 2 servings a day of items like tofu, soy milk or edamame. Not only good sources of

protein, they also guard against hormonally-driven cancers such as prostate and breast cancer.

Cruciferous vegetables: As part of the cabbage family, these green vegetables protect against cancer.

Healthy fats: Incorporate 5 to 7 servings a day of items like olive oil and eggs which include omega-3 fatty acids and reduce inflammation.

Whole and cracked grains: Stock up on basmati rice, barley and quinoa. Because they don’t contain flour or sugar, they won’t raise blood sugar levels.

Get Cookin'

Here's a delicious, and healthy recipe to try at home:

TURKEY STUFFED PEPPERS 1 pound lean chopped turkey meat 1 garlic, minced 1/4 onion, minced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon cumin powder Salt to taste 3 large sweet red bell peppers, washed 1 cup fat free chicken broth 1/4 cup tomato sauce 1 1/2 cups cooked rice Olive oil spray 1/4 cup reduced fat shredded cheese

Directions: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray non-stick spray in a medium size sauté pan and set to medium heat. Add onion, garlic and cilantro, and sauté about two minutes before adding ground turkey. Season with salt, garlic powder and cumin and brown meat for several minutes until cooked through. Add 1/4 cup of tomato sauce and 1/2 cup of chicken broth and mix well. Simmer on low for five minutes.

Combine cooked rice and meat.

Cut the bell peppers in half lengthwise, and remove all seeds. Place in a baking dish.

Spoon the meat mixture into each pepper half to fill. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth to the bottom of the dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.

Summer 2014 NEUROPATHY TODAY

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NEUROPATHY PAIN?

87% {

of Isis Neuropathy Center patients are able to reduce pain & eliminate medication.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or loss of balance, you could be suffering from Neuropathy!

There is a non-surgical solution available without the use of medicine for the pain!

Are you ready to live your life without pain?

To learn more about this exciting new treatment, make an appointment with an Isis Neuropathy Center expert today!

3049 E. McKellips Rd #6 Mesa, 85213

16601 N. 40th St #129 Phoenix, 85032

What patients say about Isis Neuropathy Centers My expectations from Isis were to get the tingling and burning down in my feet and legs and be able to sleep at night. My treatment has been great. I’m doing better, and a big thanks to Sharon and her staff for a good job done.—Robert

Symptoms can include: • Burning • Numbness • Loss of balance • Tingling • Sensitivity • Pain

TESTIMONIALS

My experience at Isis Neuropathy has been really great. The women who work there are amazing, friendly, polite and helpful. It has been a good experience. My leg and hip on the right side is rid of the pain.—Mary

New Peoria location coming soon!

13925 Meeker Blvd #9 Sun City West, 85375

602-428-0002 Phoenix • Mesa • Sun City West

Isisneuropathy.com

Hours: Mon–Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Isis Neuropathy Centers accept the majority of most insurance plans, plus Medicare