From the laugh lines that linger and crow’s feet in the eye area, to the first gray hair, these are some of the obvious manifestations that age is creeping up on you.  However, there are also sneaking signs of ageing that are not visible to other people; you simply feel it.  One of them might be peripheral neuropathy, the first signs of which are known to many Filipinos as pamamanhid (numbness), and tusok-tusok (tingling sensation or the feeling of pins and needles) mostly in the hands and feet, according to experts.

Was there a time you felt some numbness on your feet as soon as you lie down at night?  Perhaps, you have been cooking for quite some time and the prolonged grip on the ladle becomes challenging for you? Or while running for a while, were you suddenly jolted by some ‘pins and needles’ on your feet?  Nerve damage symptoms such as these are quite diverse, and they can appear rather slowly. Because the signs of nerve damage are gradual, there is a good chance these will catch you off guard.

Filipinos #KnowTheFeeling but how do they perceive nerve damage?

While many Filipinos experience these symptoms, they are not aware that these could be signs of early nerve damage and are most likely confused about whether it is something that needs serious attention or not.  Most of them pass it up as a normal part of ageing or simply something they typically feel in between their day-to-day routine.  Given the current new normal set-up—a homemaker who experiences ‘pamamanhid’ and ‘tusok-tusok’ after doing the laundry and cooking—they simply relegate it on the backburner and not pay much attention to it. 

In the recently concluded 2022 Philippines Neuropathy Survey1 (conducted nationwide through face-to-face interviews and sampled 400 men and women aged 35 to 65), 80% have confessed to have experienced the two common nerve damage symptoms—pamamanhid, and tusok-tusok while most said they have felt at least one of these symptoms, especially when they reached the age between 36 to 40 years old. 

The study showed that Filipinos are more concerned about their mobility, heart health, and body pain, among many others, including blood pressure, sugar level, and their general health and well-being than about their nerve health. When asked if they are aware of the term ‘neuropathy’, 80% of the respondents admitted that they have never seen nor heard of it but know the term ‘nerve damage’, which they only come across on TV, through a doctor, or from friends. For these respondents, experiencing pamamanhid, and tusok-tusok is just an effect of their lifestyle and activities, and they further admitted that it has limited not only their basic mobility or completing household chores, but it has also affected their work and productivity, impacting their income and their daily tasks at home.

Knowing the possible symptoms of nerve damage, like pamamanhid, and tusok-tusok, paying attention to these tell-tale signs, and opting for preventive health care measures should be everyone’s priority.  And one of the best ways to help prevent nerve damage is to maintain a healthy diet, follow a regular exercise routine, and take neurotropic B vitamins.  

#FeelLife not the symptoms of nerve damage

Nerve damage limits your ability to enjoy the simplest things that give you and your family joy.  To feel and enjoy life again, begin your proper nerve care with having healthy habits that include relaxation techniques, hand and feet massage, daily physical exercise, and a balanced diet, then complement all these by taking B vitamins.  Vitamins B1+B6+B12 (Neurobion) contains a balance formulation of B vitamins: Vitamin B1 that helps energize the nerves, Vitamin B6 which helps nerve signal transmission, and Vitamin B12 that helps nerve regeneration.

Vitamins B1+B6+B12 (Neurobion) can help stop recurring pamamanhid and tusok-tusok from bothering you again with regular use and, proper diet and exercise.

While our lives are slowly returning to former routines, and the social and health restrictions are easing up, we should never let neuropathy or nerve damage be part of our new normal health and lifestyle. Let’s all say yes to nerve care and feel life again with our new normal nerve care habits, so we could go about our daily chores, continue to be productive at work, and enjoy more memorable moments with the ones we love.

Already experiencing the early warning signs of nerve damage? Check out Neuri to help assess your risk level for nerve damage through https://www.neurobion-neuri.com/ or visit your physician.  For more information, visit https://www.neurobion.com/en-ph. To avail of Vitamins B1+B6+B12 (Neurobion), visit any drugstore nationwide or purchase via the Watsons app, Southstar Drug website and the P&G Health Official Shopee store. 

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

ASC Reference Code: P0037P060623N

This article is produced by INQUIRER.net BrandRoom/JC in partnership with P&G Neurobion.

 

References:

1. BrandWorks Market Intelligence & Consulting. (May 2022). 2022 Neuropathy Study: Metro Manila and VisMin survey.

The consumer study cited had a sample size of 400 respondents aged 35 to 65, based in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. SEC ABCDE was gathered for this study. Interviews were conducted via face-to-face interviews within May 2022.