Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the nervous system. People who have it may have constant or frequent pain and discomfort. Some forms of neuropathy are curable, while some are not. Regardless, there are plenty of ways to manage and prevent future damage to nerves.

What Is Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy happens when there is damage to the peripheral nerves, especially in the hands and feet. Other areas of the body may be affected as well, according to MayoClinic. Traumatic injuries, metabolism issues, toxins, genetics, and infections may all cause this disorder. The most common cause, however, is diabetes.

In the nervous system, there are three types of nerves. Sensory nerves take in sensations, such as pain and temperature. Motor nerves carry signals to muscles so that the muscles move. Autonomic nerves control bodily functions, such as blood pressure and the bladder. Each type of nerve will have slightly different symptoms.

Sensory nerves will have numbness or tingling that starts localized and may become widespread. An oversensitivity to touch may also be present. One of the most common symptoms from sensory nerves is a burning, freezing, stabbing, or throbbing pain. Motor nerve neuropathy will likely present itself as muscle weakness or paralysis. Autonomic nerves will exhibit symptoms like heat intolerance, changed sweating patterns, issues with the digestive and/or urinary systems, and changes in blood pressure.

Neuropathy can affect nerves in different ways. In few cases, peripheral neuropathy will affect only one nerve (called mononeuropathy). Carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of mononeuropathy. When the neuropathy affects two or more nerves in one or more areas, it is called multiple neuropathy or polyneuropathy. Most people have polyneuropathy.

When any sort of unusual pain or tingling presents itself, it is best to seek medical attention. The sooner neuropathy is diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated, and damage stopped or reversed. Once diagnosed, the doctor may prescribe painkillers to relieve pain. Certain therapies may be used to stop the neuropathy from spreading, and surgery may be needed to reduce pressure on a nerve.

Shoes for Neuropathy

People whose peripheral neuropathy affects mainly the feet may find that regular shoes are uncomfortable and prevent them from getting out of the house often. The feet are a common place for neuropathy to begin because of how much stress is placed upon a person’s feet. For this reason, it can be important to invest in a pair of shoes that combat the symptoms of neuropathy.

Each person will respond to a pair of shoes differently than someone else. In any case, there are some overarching traits a person should look for in finding shoes for their neuropathy. Shoes should have good traction, and the soles should relieve pressure and stress on the feet. Breathability may be necessary for people who are sensitive to heat. Some people may need ankle support in the shoes if the damage is spread out far enough.

Shoes made of a soft leather or some other stretchable material can provide flexibility and support while helping to decrease heat trapped within the shoe. A wide toe box is preferable so that toes are not constantly squished together. The insole should provide proper arch support and shock resistance; it may become one of the most important factors in finding a good shoe.

Deciding to get a pair of shoes designed for this condition can be a good choice for a lot of people. They can help prevent symptoms and help improve overall health of the feet. Before making any decisions, a it is always advisable to discuss options with a podiatrist (a doctor who specializes in the feet and ankles) or a neurologist (a doctor who specializes in the nervous system) who is familiar with foot neuropathy.

Whether or not you experience back pain, you likely agree it’s a given that we all feel better after a restful night’s sleep. But do we realize how much our bed plays a part in how rested we feel and how much our back hurts (or doesn’t)? If you have back pain, the first thing you should try is a new mattress. The benefit is less back pain. The bonus is restful sleep, night after night. Win-win.

Comfort

Experts agree that the best mattress for you is the one you feel most comfortable in. The degree of firmness the mattress has or the amount of padding can vary a little and you will still experience the same benefits of better sleep and less pain.

The more padding a mattress has the more comfortable it is. Padding is what protects you from feeling the inner springs or coils, which is what supports your body.

Short of spending the night in the showroom of the mattress store, how do you know if the mattress you’re buying is the right one for you?

Your best bet, experts say, is to purchase your new mattress from a store that offers a free trial period in your own home. The length of the free trial time varies and there is no industry standard, but 30 days is probably the most common trial period offered.

Before you take one home, feel free to give the mattresses in the showroom a test drive, so to speak. Choose one that feels firm enough to support you, but not so firm that your hips and shoulders feel stressed when you lay on your side. Bring home the mattress that you feel the most relaxed on; in other words, the one on which you and your partner did the fewest turn-overs and position-adjusters.

Then go ahead a give it 30 days to make sure the short-term comfort in the showroom translates into long-term comfort in the bedroom.

Firmness

Surprisingly, the firmest mattresses are not necessarily the most comfortable, nor are they the best at minimizing back pain. It turns out that medium-firm mattresses offer the greatest relief of low back pain and the most comfortable night’s sleep.

If you are choosing between an extra firm and any other mattress with less firmness, go with the mattress that is less firm. How much less firm is a matter of personal preference and something you can find out for yourself using a free trial from a reputable store.

A mattress is filled with inner springs, or coils, which are what support you as you sleep. The coils are fashioned from lengths of wire and the diameter, or “gauge” of the wire determines how firm the mattress is. The lower the gauge of the wire, the thicker it is, so the better it supports humans and the firmer the mattress.

Of course there is such a thing as too much firmness. If you lay down on a sample bed and immediately feel the need to change position, there’s a good chance that particular mattress is too firm for you.

The firmest mattresses also have the most internal padding and often the deepest external topper pad. All of this is to keep your body supported without you feeling the actual inner springs or coils.

Construction

Some mattress stores display a cross-section of their mattresses. These are helpful in comparing price, quality, firmness and level of comfort. Although the most expensive mattresses usually contain the largest number of inner springs or coils, they are not necessarily the most comfortable or the best mattresses for back pain.

The inner spring coils are covered with insulation padding, which purpose is to insulate your body from feeling the presence of the springs from the top of the mattress.

On top of the insulation padding is a layer of cotton padding. Its thickness can vary across the top of the mattress. The cotton padding provides firmness and extra support in the middle of the mattress, the part that supports the most weight.

The cotton padding is covered by the middle padding which varies in texture with the firmness of the mattress. The foam used in less firm mattresses feels almost moist to the touch and is quick to return to its original shape. Foam in firmer mattresses bounces back slowly when pressure is applied.

The top padding is referred to as a “mattress topper” and its thickness varies with the firmness of the mattress and its price and quality. The thicker the top padding, the less pressure on your body and the more perceived comfort.

The final layer of the mattress is the ticking and quilting. The ticking is the top layer, usually polyester or cotton-polyester. The ticking is attached to the top layers of the mattresses padding by the quilting.

The biggest consideration in getting a new mattress to minimize back pain is to find one firm enough to support you without being overly-firm, and that has enough padding so you never know the inner springs are there.

We don’t know about you but 24 hours seem so short to fit everything in one day. That’s why we came up with some handy life hacks to make things easier and hopefully quicker for your day-to-day to-dos.

From tips that apply to household-related matters to beauty tricks that will save you time and money, these hacks should help you get the most out of your 24 hours each day and live a better, healthier life.

Save Money On Starbucks Lattes

Maybe you’re one of those people that needs an iced latte from Starbucks to get you going in the morning. That’s understandable, but the cost can add up quickly.

If you want to save a couple of bucks, avoid ordering those iced lattes. Instead, try a double shot of espresso with ice and add your own milk and sugar to turn it into your staple drink. Now, that’s a big brain move!

Use Non-Gel White Toothpaste To Clean Dirty Sneakers

In case you didn’t know, toothpaste can do a lot of things besides getting your pearly whites looking clean and smelling fresh. Got dirty shoes? Squeeze some onto an old toothbrush and scrub the dark spots on your white soles.

Always make sure to use white, non-gel toothpaste on white soles or sneakers. Using colored toothpaste may have a discoloring effect.

Use Shaving Cream To Heal A Sunburn

Let’s face it, there will come a time when you have too much fun under the sun without your trusty aloe Vera in your purse. Don’t panic! Shaving cream is just as effective.

Shaving creams have menthol that can give you a cooling effect, as well as moisturizing properties that can help with sunburns. Use a bit of caution though, as leaving it on your skin for a long time may cause irritation. This hack is only applicable to minor sunburns.

Score better car deals at the end of the month

Buying a new vehicle is a big decision and waiting for the end of the month (even year, if possible) may help you score a better bargain. The reason behind this is at the end of a month or year, salespeople are rushing to meet their quotas and will be more likely to strike a deal.

See? Sometimes, not striking while the iron is hot pays off!

Make your dishwasher clean more than just plates

Getting a dishwasher can be an extra cost, especially if you think that it only washes plates and glasses. But, it can do way more than that. For example, running a rinse cycle for your vegetables is more efficient and effective than washing them by hand. You can also throw in some toys and kitchen sponges to sanitize them if you’r behind on your other chores!

Make Siri Pronounce Names Correctly

As much as we want, Siri does not know it all. As a matter of fact, Siri cannot pronounce most names. Instead of getting annoyed and foregoing the AI, teach her how to say it properly by saying, “Siri, learn to say my name.” If she mispronounces it, you can follow up with, “Siri, that’s not how you pronounce…” This will save you from waiting on your Siri commands.

Zip up and protect your other clothes

Before throwing in your slacks or any item with a zipper into the washer, make sure you zip them up first. This is to protect other pieces of clothing from getting snagged or torn, which can save you money down the road when you’re not having to purchase new clothing.

Clean Your Microwave Without Scrubbing

Scrubbing a microwave from the inside out is quite the task. Make your life easier by pouring equal parts water and vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl and then microwave it for 7 minutes or so to loosen any debris.

Keep Your Garden Plants Watered

A fancy drip irrigation system isn’t needed if the only thing you’ll be using it on is your garden. Use a clean soda bottle to save money and recycle!

Just puncture the bottle with small holes and put in your garden. That should allow the water to seep out slowly and water your plans as much as necessary.

Cool down your car quickly

When things get hot, don’t blast the AC just yet! Cool you car off in a jiffy by rolling the windows down and repeatedly opening and closing the passenger door several times. This can save you from using up your fuel to cool down your car.

Light candles without burning a finger

Spaghetti isn’t just for your belly, it can also be used in lighting candles. An uncooked strand of spaghetti is just a long matchstick!

This way, you don’t have to worry about burning your fingers anymore. It also works if you have quite a number of candles to light all at once.

Lighten your foundation with moisturizer

For those who wear makeup, finding the right foundation shade can be a challenge. Just in case the foundation you bought is a bit too dark, a little moisturizer should help lighten it. Of course, be careful and don’t put a lot in one go because the more you put, the lighter the color will become.

Avoid awkward situations by swatching foundations, concealers and other cosmetic products to see which shade works for you!

Keep your dog calm through every thunderstorm

For pet parents, it’s a common thing to have a dog get anxious during thunderstorms. Help calm your dog by lightly rubbing them with a dryer sheet. Dogs can feel the static electricity in the air so doing this should help them relax.

Repair small car dents with hot water

Got a dent in your car? Before going to a car shop, fix that fender-bender situation by pouring hot water on it. Afterwards, use a plunger to pull the dent out. Not only can this hack save you from the trouble of taking your car into a repair shop, but it can also save you money.

Peel your boiled egg by shaking it

Did you know that the most efficient way to peel an egg is to shake it? It’s true! Put a hard-boiled egg inside a glass jar with just an inch of water and start shaking. Your hard-boiled egg will be ready to peel in no time.

Use a fitted sheet as a beach blanket

It’s the worst when sand gets all over your beach towels and you’re left with a beach-day mess. Prevent this by using a fitted sheet as a beach blanket!

Just pull the fitted part up and secure it with coolers or other items with a bit of weight to stop sand from entering your personal space.

Take the grease out of your dishes with teabags

If you have a sink filled with greasy dishes and dont want to waste water by keeping it running, fill the sink with hot water and add about a dozen of used teabags before scrubbing. The astringent properties of tannins found in tea can help cut grease, plus you won’t be running water.

Make your trash can smell better with bread and vinegar

Tired of taking out the trash over and over again, before the bag fills up? Regardless of how often you take out the trash, chances are your bins will start to smell after awhile. An easy fix for that is to pour vinegar over a slice of bread, drop it to the bottom of the bin and let it sit overnight. You’ll notice the difference the next morning!

Unclog the drain with common household items

Before you call the plumber to unclog your drain, put the phone down and prepare some boiling water, baking soda, and white vinegar.

To unclog the drain without leaving any residue, pour boiling water down the drain, then pour half a cup of baking soda, and finish it off with half a cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes and your drain should be unclogged!

Fall asleep faster

To ensure a good night’s sleep, experts advise to lower the temperature in your home to 60-67 degrees. This can help regulate your body’s temperature and prepare it for rest. You might want to put socks on if that’s too cold for you.

However, if you’re not comfortable sleeping with your socks on, leave them on while you’re getting comfortable and remove them after you’ve warmed up.