|
|
|
 |
What is peripheral neuropathy?? |
| |
The brain and spinal cord constitute the central nervous system while the nerves coming from them and connecting to the muscle constitute the peripheral nervous system. These nerves allow you to move your body parts and also to appreciate feelings such as pain, temperature, touch and limb position from the surface of your body. They also connect to internal organs that allow involuntary actions such as breathing, sexual function and digestion. Any damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system is called peripheral neuropathy.
|
|
|
|
What are the symptoms? |
| |
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy depend on which nerves are damaged and the function of the damaged nerves.
- Nerves that help you move your muscles are called motor nerves. If motor nerves are damaged, you may have muscle weakness.
- Nerves that conduct feelings, such as touch, are called sensory nerves. When these nerves are affected, you may have numbness, tingling, pain or extreme sensitivity to touch.
- The nerves connecting to internal organs constitute the autonomic nervous system. Depending on which organs are affected, you may have vision problems, dizziness, problems with digestion such as bloating, constipation or diarrhoea, leaking of urine from the bladder or incomplete bladder emptying and erectile dysfunction.
|
|
|
|
What are the causes of neuropathy? |
| |
Peripheral neuropathy can have many different causes. Any disease that interferes with the functioning of a nerve can lead to neuropathy. Many times the cause cannot be found. Some common causes are:
- Diseases such as diabetes or vasculitis
- Auto immune demyelination
- Infections such as leprosy and herpes zoster
- A lack of vitamins or minerals
- Pressure on a nerve by tissue swelling, as in carpal tunnel syndrome
- Direct injury to the nerve
- Hereditary causes
Your doctor will examine you to assess which nerves are affected and also look for evidence for other diseases. A test called ENMG (electroneuromyography) will document the extent and severity of peripheral neuropathy. Lab tests are done to look for the cause. Sometimes a nerve biopsy may be done if the cause is not evident. |
|
|
|
How is neuropathy treated? |
| |
The treatment of peripheral neuropathy depends on the cause. For example if it is caused by diabetes, the treatment is focused on better control of diabetes. If the cause is a vitamin deficiency, your doctor may prescribe vitamin supplements.
The symptoms of neuropathy can be treated with medicines that stabilize the damaged nerve membrane. Proper foot care is important.
|
|
|
