About this topic
Your nerves carry information to and from the brain. They also carry signals to and from the spinal cord. You have many nerves outside of your spinal cord. They are all a part of your peripheral nervous system. They work with your brain and spinal cord. All of these parts give your body information about senses, moving, and the environment. Damage to any of the nerves outside of your brain or spinal cord is peripheral neuropathy. What you feel and where it is will depend on what nerves are affected. ‚
What are the causes?
Sometimes, the cause is not known. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Having a health problem for a long period of time. These illness may include:
- High blood sugar
- Chronic kidney disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- Drugs used to treat other diseases
- Toxins like heavy alcohol use or pesticides
- Pressure on a nerve or a broken bone
- Other things like problems with blood flow or swelling
What are the main signs?
The signs depend on what nerves are damaged. They may include: ‚
- Pain, numbness, and tingling that often starts in the feet or hands
- Not able to feel hot or cold
- More sensitive to touching things
- Poor coordination, muscle weakness, cramping, or twitching
- Bowel and bladder problems like loose or hard stools, leaking urine, not able to pass urine
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- Dizziness
- Lots of sweating
- Sex problems
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will do an exam and ask about your history. Your doctor will feel around the area of the body where you are having problems. Your doctor will check the feeling in your arms and legs. Your reflexes, motion, and strength will also be checked. If your problems are in your legs, your doctor may have you walk and stand on your heels and toes. The doctor may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- Nerve conduction velocity test (NCV) ¢ ˆ ’ to see how fast electrical signals go through nerves
- Electromyelogram (EMG) ¢ ˆ ’ to look at how well the nerves are working in the muscles
- Spinal tap
- CT or MRI scan
- Nerve or skin biopsy to look at nerve tissue
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Treating your neuropathy means treating the cause. This may include: ‚
- Controlling blood sugar
- Limiting use of beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol)
- Treating a vitamin deficiency
- Quitting smoking
- Brace or splint to keep pressure off the nerves
- Cane, walker, or wheelchair to help you get around safely
- Compression sleeves or stockings
- Exercises for strengthening weak muscles and stretching tight muscles
- Desensitization
- Ventilator if breathing is very poor
- Surgery
Are there other health problems to treat?
If neuropathy is causing trouble with certain things such as balance, digestion, and bladder and bowel function, these things will need to be treated. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Control blood sugar
- Help with pain
- Suppress the immune system
- Help with eating, bathroom, or sex problems
What problems could happen?
- Long-term pain or nerve damage
- Sores on the feet if you have high blood sugar
- Loss of balance, trouble walking, and a higher risk of falling
- Damage in the peripheral nerves affects the functions that control your blood flow and heartbeat
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Control high blood sugar.
- Limit alcohol use.
- If you are a smoker, quit. Smoking lessens the blood supply to peripheral nerves.
- If you have a vitamin deficiency, talk to your doctor to see if you need to add any vitamins to your diet.
- Keep a healthy weight. If you are overweight, lose weight.
- Avoid toxic chemicals, pesticides, and other toxins.
Where can I learn more?
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/246/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚