Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral Neuropathy

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy – is damage to the peripheral nerves, connecting the spinal cord and the rest of the body.

Peripheral neuropathy – causes

The appearance of peripheral neuropathy can cause a number of different reasons:

• Injury of nerve compression or inflammation;
• Taking certain medications, such as chemotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment;
• Vitamin deficiencies;
• Hereditary syndromes;
• Exposure to toxins and heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, or pesticides;
• Exposure to cold or radiation;
• Prolonged treatment in the intensive care.

Health conditions, which may damage the peripheral nerves include:

• Diabetes Type 1 or Type 2;
• Infection, such as Lyme disease, cancer or HIV;
• Chronic renal failure;
• Alcoholism;
• Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis;
• Acute or chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy;
• Porphyria;
• Paraneoplastic syndromes.

Risk factors for peripheral neuropathy

The presence of certain health problems may increase the likelihood of developing peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy – symptoms

Peripheral nerve injury often causes sensory and motor symptoms:

• Hands;
• Feet;
• Feet.

Other parts of the body can also be affected by the disease. Symptoms depend on the affected nerves. They can range from mild to severe and may worsen at night. Pain may occur in the upper or lower limbs and move toward the spine, eg, from the feet to the calves.

Signs of peripheral neuropathy include :

• Numbness or reduced sensitivity;
• Pricking;
• Pain, often a burning or sharp, cutting sensation;
• Vellication;
• Muscular weakness;
• Difficulty walking;
• Loss of coordination or balance;
• Paralysis.

If untreated, peripheral neuropathy may cause the following problems:

• Loss of reflexes and muscle control;
• Amyotrophy – loss of muscle mass;
• Cyllosis;
• Foot Injury, that go unnoticed and become infected.

If you have a motor or sensory neuropathy, may cause autonomic neuropathy, causing the following symptoms:

• Problems with blood pressure;
• Constipation;
• Erectile dysfunction;
• Labored breathing.

Diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. They will be checked:

• Animal force;
• Reflexes;
• Balance;
• Coordination;
• The ability to feel the vibration, temperature and light touch;
• Sensitivity study using monofilament – feeling in his legs checked using a thin, flexible wire, bent at a defined force.

Additional tests may also include:

• Analysis of body fluids and tissues:
  • Blood tests, To measure the level of glucose, B12, and thyroid function;
  • Electrophoresis of serum / urine;
  • Genetic testing;
  • Poyasnichnaya puncture;
  • The density of nerve fibers – It applies a skin biopsy;
  • Biopsy nerves or muscles;
• Test of nerves and muscles:
  • Rheotachygraphy (DOH);
  • Nerve conduction studies;
• Pictures structural body, Why apply:
  • MRT;
  • CT scan;
• The doctor may need to conduct a survey of other family members in the presence of peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy – treatment

Treatment of peripheral neuropathy include:

Treatment of the underlying disease

Treatment of the underlying disease can reduce or relieve symptoms. For Example, If peripheral neuropathy occurred due to diabetes, control the level of sugar in the blood can help cure diseases. In some cases, neuropathies, caused by drugs or exposure to toxins is completely tested after stopping or avoiding these substances. Correction of vitamin B12 deficiency often relieves symptoms.

Physiotherapy

Some exercises can contribute to stretch the muscles and increase joint flexibility. In most cases, it may require splinting on the joint to protect and maintain the correct position.

Orthopedic devices help:

• Avoid strain;
• Improve Balance;
• Remove the muscle weakness.

Maintaining physical activity is also important in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy.

Medication peripheral neuropathy

To alleviate the discomfort, commonly used painkillers.

Medicines, used to treat depression and prevent convulsions help relieve the symptoms of neuropathy.

In severe and potentially life-threatening cases, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, treatment includes:

• Intravenous immunoglobulin;
• Plasmapheresis – It is performed for replacing blood plasma.

Other treatments for peripheral neuropathy

These techniques are aimed at reducing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy:

• Relaxation training;
• Biofeedback;
• Walking and other physical exercises;
• Yoga;
• Warm baths;
• Massage;
• Acupuncture;
• Transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation.

The operation for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy

The operation will help relieve the pressure on nerves. For Example, Surgery is usually spends muscle incision in the wrist to treat carpal tunnel syndrome.

Prevention of peripheral neuropathy

To reduce the risk of peripheral neuropathy:

• Control chronic diseases. If you have diabetes, Inspect feet regularly for injuries and infections;
• Eat a healthy diet low in saturated fat and rich in whole grains; Eat fruits and vegetables;
• Limit your alcohol intake to a moderate level – no more 70 grams per day for men, and 40 grams or less for women;
• Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals.