Peripheral Neuropathy
Ranked #3,330 in Healthy Living, #61,254 overall
Peripheral neuropathy can affect every aspect of your life
Peripheral neuropathy frequently begins with a gradual numbness in your feet or hands, which then spreads toward the trunk of your body. There is pain - sharp or burning - and sensitivity to light touch.
When there is damage to the peripheral nervous system, it affects how information from the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) are sent to every other part of the body. It's like static on a telephone line, with the peripheral neuropathy distorting and sometimes interrupting messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
Broken down, here is the meaning:
Peripheral means distant from the brain and spinal cord.
Neuro means nerves.
Pathy means abnormal.
Peripheral Neuropathy Causes
Peripheral neuropathy may be either inherited or acquired.
Acquired peripheral neuropathies are grouped into three broad categories: those caused by systemic disease, those caused by trauma from external agents, and those caused by infections or autoimmune disorders affecting nerve tissue.
Physical injury (trauma) is the most common cause of injury to a nerve.
Systemic diseases - disorders that affect the entire body - often cause peripheral neuropathy. These disorders may include metabolic and endocrine disorders.
Other Systemic Disorders:
· Kidney disorders
· Hormonal imbalances
· Vitamin deficiencies and alcoholism
· Vascular damage and blood diseases
· Connective tissue disorders and chronic inflammation
· Cancers and benign tumors
· Repetitive stress (aka: entrapment neuropathy)
Infections and autoimmune disorders can cause peripheral neuropathy. Including:
· HIV/Aids
· Lyme disease, diphtheria, and leprosy
· Herpes varicella-zoster (shingles), Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex
Inherited Forms Of Neuropathy
Inherited forms of peripheral neuropathy are caused by inborn mistakes in the genetic code or by new genetic mutations.
Some genetic errors lead to mild neuropathies with symptoms that begin in early adulthood and result in little, if any, significant impairment. More severe hereditary neuropathies often appear in infancy or childhood.
The most common inherited neuropathies are a group of disorders collectively referred to as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. These neuropathies result from flaws in genes.
Symptoms Of Peripheral Neuropathy
Muscle weakness is the most common symptom of motor nerve damage. Other symptoms may include painful cramps and fasciculations (uncontrolled muscle twitching visible under the skin), muscle loss, bone degeneration, and changes in the skin, hair, and nails.
Sensory nerve damage causes a more complex range of symptoms because sensory nerves have a wider, more highly specialized range of functions. Damage to large sensory fibers lessens the ability to feel vibrations and touch, resulting in a general sense of numbness, especially in the hands and feet.
This damage to sensory fibers may contribute to the loss of reflexes (as can motor nerve damage).
Loss of position sense often makes people unable to coordinate complex movements like walking or fastening buttons, or to maintain their balance when their eyes are shut.
The Nervous System
There are more than 100 different kinds of peripheral neuropathy, with various causes, severities and symptoms.
Impaired function and symptoms depend on the type of nerves - motor, sensory, or autonomic - that are damaged.
Motor nerves control movements of all muscles under conscious control, such as those used for walking, grasping things, or talking.
Sensory nerves transmit information about sensory experiences, such as the feeling of a light touch or the pain resulting from a cut.
Autonomic nerves regulate biological activities that people do not control consciously, such as breathing, digesting food, and heart and gland functions.
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain is difficult to control and can seriously affect emotional well-being and overall quality of life.
Neuropathic pain is often worse at night, seriously disrupting sleep.
The Peripheral Nervous System
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) resides or extends outside the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. The main function of the PNS is to connect the CNS to the limbs and organs. Unlike the central nervous system, the PNS is not protected by bone or by the blood-brain barrier, leaving it exposed to toxins and mechanical injuries. The peripheral nervous system is divided into the somatic nervous system, the autonomic nervous system, and the sensory system.
Read the rest of the Wikipedia article
Numb Toes and Aching Soles: Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy
Amazon Price: $18.74 (as of 06/04/2012)
List Price: $24.95
The book is written from a patient's point of view with over 200 patient comments on treatments. A comprehensive guide for the millions who have painful and disabling peripheral neuropathy. Covered are causes, symptoms, tests and treatments- both conventional and alternative- and ways of coping day to day.
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Online Resources
Places that provide more information
- American Pain Foundation
Founded in 1997, the American Pain Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization serving people with pain through information, advocacy, and support.
- National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain
We are a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing support for patients who are suffering from intractable pain, their families, and friends.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
The mission of NINDS is to reduce the burden of neurological disease - a burden borne by every age group, by every segment of society, by people all over the world.
- The Neuropathy Association, Inc
The Neuropathy Association website, dedicated to raising awareness and seeking a cure for CIDP, peripheral neuropathy and other nerve diseases in North America.
In The News
- EpiCept Corporation Receives Scientific Advice from European Medicines Agency ...
- AmiKet(TM) is a topical cream intended for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain. In general the CHMP's requirements are closely aligned with the recent guidance given EpiCept by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Duloxetine reduced painful neuropathy in majority of patients
- Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect of certain chemotherapy drugs. The tingling feeling -- usually felt in the toes, feet, fingers and hands -- can be uncomfortable for many patients, but for about 30 percent of patients, ...
- New Drug-Free Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy
- The treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy has always been frustrating, for both the physician and the patient. While powerful pain medications and antidepressants are often used, the results have been poor. Dr. JG Moellendorf, DC, ND, LCP has found that ...
- Seattle Genetics Announces ADCETRIS(R) Clinical Data to be Reported in ...
- The most common adverse events were peripheral neuropathy (46 percent), nausea (42 percent), fatigue (38 percent), diarrhea (33 percent) and fever (29 percent). -- First author: Dr. Nancy L. Bartlett, Washington University, Siteman Cancer Center, ...
Comments?
-
-
Bob52
Aug 13, 2011 @ 12:37 pm | delete
- Diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy. This is sad because most of the time it can be avoided by taking proper care of yourself.
-
-
-
Gloriousconfusion
May 7, 2011 @ 3:01 am | delete
- This is the sort of disorder that many people have never heard of until someone close to them suffers from it. Helpful and clear information, so here are some Angel Blessings
-
-
-
Bemused-in-Tasmania
Oct 21, 2009 @ 6:38 pm | delete
- Well done! As a fellow sufferer of peripheral neuropathy, I appreciate the nicely balanced presentation. Excellent lens.
-
-
-
stargazer00
Sep 1, 2009 @ 2:15 pm | delete
- Very helpful lens on peripheral neuropathy.
-
-
-
Photahsiamirabel Aug 31, 2009 @ 7:03 pm | delete
- Going to lensroll this to my diabetes lens. Neuropathy features there too! 5* favourite. Thank you :)
-
- Load More
Macs Bio
by Macs
Hello and welcome! My name is Tammi, but you can call me Tam to keep it simple.
I'm married and currently living in Washington. We have 3 cats and a dog;...
more »
- 94 featured lenses
- Winner of 12 trophies!
- Top lens » Fun Photo Effects
Explore related pages
- Living With Charcot Marie Tooth Living With Charcot Marie Tooth
- Charcot Marie Tooth Disease Charcot Marie Tooth Disease
- Medical Marijuana Facts Medical Marijuana Facts
- My Visionaire Knee Replacement My Visionaire Knee Replacement
- Poisonous Garden Plants: Iris, Azalea, Hydrangea Poisonous Garden Plants: Iris, Azalea, Hydrangea
- Costochondritis Costochondritis
