2. Introduction
Peripheral Neuropathy symptoms usually start with numbness,
prickling or tingling in the toes or fingers. It may spread up to the feet
or hands and cause burning, freezing, throbbing and/or shooting pain
that is often worse at night.
The pain can be either constant or periodic, but usually the pain is felt
equally on both sides of the body in both hands or in both feet.
Some types of peripheral neuropathy develop suddenly, while others
progress more slowly over many years.
3. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy
A sensation of wearing an invisible glove or sock
Burning sensation or freezing pain
Sharp, jabbing, shooting, or electric-like pain
Extreme sensitivity to touch
Difficulty sleeping because of feet and leg pain
Loss of balance and coordination
Muscle weakness
Muscle cramping/twitching
Difficulty walking or moving the arms
Unusual sweating
Abnormalities in blood pressure or pulse
4. Symptoms contd..
Symptoms such as experiencing weakness or not
being able to hold something, not knowing where
your feet are, and experiencing pain that feels as if it
is stabbing or burning in your limbs, can be common
signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
5. Symptoms contd..
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may depend on the kind of
peripheral nerves that have been damaged.
There are three types of peripheral nerves: motor, sensory and
autonomic.
Some neuropathies affect all three types of nerves, while others
involve only one or two.
The majority of people, however, suffer from polyneuropathy, an
umbrella term for damage involving many nerves at the same time.
6. Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy
People who have a family history of peripheral neuropathy are more likely
to develop the disorder.
However, a variety of factors and underlying conditions may also cause
this condition.
Nerve damage caused by diabetes is one of the most common forms of
neuropathy. This leads to numbness, pain, and a loss of sensation in the
extremities. The risk of neuropathy increases for people who:
are overweight
have high blood pressure
are over the age of 40 and have diabetes
8. Motor Nerves
Motor nerves send impulses from the brain and spinal cord to all of
the muscles in the body.
This permits people to do activities like walking, catching a baseball,
or moving the fingers to pick something up.
Motor nerve damage can lead to muscle weakness, difficulty walking
or moving the arms, cramps and spasms.
9. Sensory Nerves
Sensory nerves send messages in the other direction from the
muscles back to the spinal cord and the brain.
Special sensors in the skin and deep inside the body help people
identify if an object is sharp, rough, or smooth; if its hot or cold; or if
its standing still or in motion.
Sensory nerve damage often results in tingling, numbness, pain, and
extreme sensitivity to touch.
10. Autonomic Nerves
Autonomic nerves control involuntary or semi-voluntary functions,
such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and sweating.
When the autonomic nerves are damaged, a persons heart may beat
faster or slower.
They may get dizzy when standing up; sweat excessively; or have
difficulty sweating at all.
In addition, autonomic nerve damage may result in difficulty
swallowing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, problems
with urination, abnormal pupil size, and sexual dysfunction.
11. Diagnosis
Peripheral neuropathy has many potential causes. Besides a physical
exam, which may include blood tests, diagnosis usually requires:
A full medical history. Your doctor will review your medical history,
including your symptoms, your lifestyle, exposure to toxins,
drinking habits and a family history of nervous system
(neurological) diseases.
Neurological examination. Your doctor might check your tendon
reflexes, your muscle strength and tone, your ability to feel certain
sensations, and your posture and coordination.
12. Treatment
Medicine to treat the pain of peripheral neuropathy can include:
Steroids for a short time until a long-term treatment plan is in place
Numbing creams or patches
Antidepressant medicines, often in smaller doses than are used to
treat depression
Anti-seizure medicines, which are used to help many types of nerve
pain
Opioids or narcotics, for when pain is severe
13. Pain Medications
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications like
acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can be
very helpful in controlling moderate pain.
If you take them in excess, these drugs can affect your
liver or stomach function.
Its important to avoid using them for an extended period,
especially if you drink alcohol regularly.
14. Other Treatments
Other treatments that have helped some people with nerve pain and its effects
include:
Electrical nerve stimulation
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Relaxation therapy
Guided imagery
Distraction
Acupuncture
Biofeedback
15. Self-care
In addition to OTC pain relievers, many people have found relief for
peripheral neuropathy through:
chiropractic care, acupuncture
Massage, meditation and yoga.
Moderate, regular exercise can also help lessen discomfort.
16. Precautions at home
If you have peripheral neuropathy, youre potentially at greater risk for accidents in
the home. You can do the following to improve your safety:
Always wear shoes to protect your feet.
Keep your floor clear of things that you could trip on.
Check the temperature of your bath or dishwater with your elbow, not your hand
or foot.
Install handrails in your bathtub or shower.
Use bath mats that can prevent slipping.
Dont stay in one position for too long. Get up and move around a couple of times
each hour. This is especially important for those whose work involves sitting for
long periods at a desk.
17. Prevention
You can help prevent its onset by doing the following:
avoiding alcohol or drinking it only in moderation
avoiding smoking or quitting smoking if you smoke
eating a healthy diet, getting regular, moderate exercise
Further, you can lower your risk of peripheral neuropathy by:
knowing what toxins you might be exposed to at work or school
protecting your feet during sports, especially those that involve kicking
never inhaling toxins like glue to get high
If you have diabetes, take special care of your feet. Wash and inspect your feet daily, and
keep the skin moist with lotion.