Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy, caused by damage to the peripheral nerves, often causes weakness, numbness, and pain in the feet and hands. The condition is found in other parts of the body as well
The peripheral nervous system sends information from the head and spinal cord (central nervous system) to the rest of the body. Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by traumatic injury, infection, metabolic problems, hereditary diseases, and exposure to toxins. One of the common causes of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes
Patients with the disease describe the pain as cutting and burning It is marked by a tingling sensation In many cases, symptoms improve, especially if the cause of the pain is treatable Pain caused by peripheral neuropathy can be relieved with medication
Various factors are involved in the development of neuropathy:
- Alcoholism Choosing the wrong diet by alcoholics leads to a lack of vitamins
- Autoimmune diseases: Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and necrotizing vasculitis
- Diabetes More than half of patients with diabetes develop some form of neuropathy
- Poisons Toxic substances, including heavy metals and chemicals
- Medications Some medications, especially those used in cancer treatment (chemotherapy), cause peripheral neuropathy
- Infections Some viral and bacterial infections: Lyme disease, herpes zoster, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C, leprosy, diphtheria, and AIDS
- Hereditary diseases Hereditary pathologies causing neuropathy, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Traumatic injury or pressure on the nerve Trauma from traffic accidents, falls, or sports injuries cause damage to peripheral nerves Pressure on the nerve may develop after repetitively performing the same movement, such as typing
- tumors Benign and malignant tumors can form in the nerves themselves or in surrounding tissues and burn the nerves.
- Lack of vitamins B vitamins, including B-1, B-6, B-12, vitamin E, and niacin are essential for nerve health.
- Diseases of the bone marrow Neuropathy is caused by the presence of an abnormal protein in the blood (monoclonal gomopathies), a form of bone cancer (osteosclerosis myeloma), lymphoma and amyloidosis.
- Other diseases, including kidney disease, liver disease, connective tissue disease, and an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
Each nerve in the peripheral nervous system has a specific function, so the symptoms depend on the type of nerve that is damaged Classification of nerves:
- Sensory nerves which perceive sensations from the skin: temperature, pain, vibration or touch
- Motor nerves which control muscle movement
- Autonomic
- Sharp, piercing or burning pain
- Extremely heightened sensitivity to touch
- Balance and falls
- Muscle weakness or paralysis in case of motor nerve damage
Symptoms developed in case of autonomic nerve damage:
When to see a doctor Seek immediate medical attention if you notice unusual tingling sensations, weakness, or pain in the wrists or feet. Early diagnosis and treatment increases the chance of controlling symptoms and preventing further damage to peripheral nerves.
