Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms | Causes
of Peripheral Neuropathy | Peripheral Neuropathy
Treatment | Peripheral Neuropathy Cure | Peripheral
Neuropathy Research
Peripheral neuropathy describes damage to the peripheral nervous system,
which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other
part of the body and vice versa.
More than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy
have been identified, each with its own characteristic set of symptoms,
pattern of development, and prognosis. The types of problems perceived
by a patient with peripheral neuropathy will depend on the type of nerves
-- motor, sensory, or autonomic -- that are damaged. Some people may
experience numbness, tingling, and pricking sensations, sensitivity to
touch, or muscle weakness. Others may suffer more extreme symptoms, including
burning pain (especially at night), muscle wasting, paralysis, or organ
or gland dysfunction. Peripheral neuropathy may be either inherited or
acquired.
There are numerous causes for peripheral neuropathy including: (trauma)
to a nerve, exposure to toxins, autoimmune diseases, nutritional deficiencies
(such as Vitamin B12 deficiency), alcoholism, and metabolic disorders
(such as diabetes). Acquired peripheral neuropathies are caused by systemic
disease, trauma from external agents, or infections or autoimmune disorders
affecting nerve tissue. If the specific cause for the
neuropathy can
be identified then there may be treatment to
reverse the symptoms. Inherited forms of peripheral neuropathy are caused
by inborn mistakes in the genetic code or by new genetic mutations and
at present have no known therapies. Unfortunately at present as many
as 50% of all neuropathies will have no identifiable cause.
Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms
Peripheral neuropathy is a descriptive term relating to any disease
which damages the peripheral nervous system. These nerves transmit information
from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body and vice
versa. The types of problems perceived by a patient with peripheral neuropathy
will depend on the type of nerves -- motor, sensory, or autonomic --
that are damaged. Some people may experience numbness, tingling, and
pricking sensations, sensitivity to touch, or muscle weakness. Balance
problems can often be a symptom of peripheral neuropathies as well. Other
patients may suffer more extreme symptoms, including burning pain (especially
at night), paralysis, or organ or gland dysfunction.
Peripheral Neuropathy Cause
Peripheral neuropathies may be inherited from one’s parents or occur
as a result of an acquired disease during one’s life. There are hundreds
of causes of peripheral neuropathy. The first step in trying to treat
a patient’s peripheral neuropathy is to identify the cause. This is
done by having a thorough general and neurologic examination. If there
are symptoms to suggest a peripheral neuropathy then EMG/ Nerve Conduction
Studies can be ordered. These tests allow a physician to study how a
patient’s nerves are conducting electricity. Once a neuropathy is confirmed
then a physician will usually order a number of blood tests to look for
specific diseases which can cause neuropathy. If these tests are unrevealing
then some patients will undergo a muscle and nerve biopsy which can reveal
a cause for their peripheral neuropathy in some cases.
While some neuropathies
have very unique features, many neuropathies will have similar symptoms
and therefore even in the most sophisticated hands over 50% of patients
will have no specific cause identified. These patients are then labeled
as having an idiopathic neuropathy, each with its own characteristic
set of symptoms, pattern of development, and prognosis.
The numerous causes
for neuropathies include trauma to a nerve, exposure to toxins, autoimmune
responses, nutritional deficiencies (such as Vitamin B12 deficiency),
alcoholism, and metabolic disorders (such as diabetes).
Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment
No medical treatments exist that can cure inherited peripheral neuropathy.
However, there are therapies for many other acquired forms. The specific
treament will depend on the cause for the neuropathy. In general, adopting
healthy habits -- such as maintaining optimal weight, avoiding exposure
to toxins, following a physician-supervised exercise program, eating
a balanced diet, correcting vitamin deficiencies, and limiting or avoiding
alcohol consumption -- can reduce the physical and emotional effects
of peripheral neuropathy.
Even if no specific cause is identified there
are numerous medications that we employ to help control a patient’s symptoms.
While these drug treatments do not reverse the nerve damage they are
very effective in terms of reducing the unpleasant sensory symptoms
associated with peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral Neuropathy Cure
If the specific cause for the neuropathy can be identified then there
may be treatment to reverse the symptoms or even cure the peripheral
neuropathy. Once the nerve disease is treated peripheral nerves will
start to regrow. This process may take 6 months to several years but
is very effective.
Inherited forms of peripheral neuropathy are caused
by inborn mistakes in the genetic code or by new genetic mutations and
at present have no known therapies.
Peripheral Neuropathy Research
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