Health Update – Understand the Signs of Peripheral Neuropathy

January 24, 2015

Neuropathy is a short term introduced for “Peripheral Neuropathy”, its meaning is nerve damage in peripheral nerves system. This disease is mainly found in old age (55+) people, it affects the nerves due to which movement, sensation, organ function and other aspects of health get affected.

The disease affects three types of nerves: Autonomic Nerves, Motor Nerves and Sensory Nerves and also causes pain. It does not include nerve damage in the central nervous system and only nerves outside the brain and spinal cord are involved.

Various Neuropathy Symptoms and It’s Treatment

Basically the peripheral nerves makes a network which connects the brain and spinal cord with the muscles and internal organs, these nerves are arranged along the lines in the body making Dermatomes.

When a nerve gets damaged, then typically it affects one or more dermatomes.

This damage to the nerves interrupts the communication between the brain and other parts of body preventing normal sensation in the arms or legs, hence causing Neuropathy.

Neuropathy Symptoms Could be Classified Mainly in 2 Forms

• Mono-Neuropathy:-

It affects only one nerve, it causes tingling or pain or numbness in the fingers. In this condition excessive or lack of sweating is also possible.

• Poly-Neuropathy:-

It affects multiple nerves, normally same parts for both side of the body. People with chronic polyneuropathy, looses their ability to sense temperature and pain.

Causes of Neuropathy Include

• Vitamin Deficiency (mainly Vitamin B)
• HIV Infection
• Certain Medications
• Chronic Liver Disease
• Kidney or Thyroid Disease
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms Include

• Extreme Sensitivity to Touch
• Lack of Co-ordination and Falling
• Sharp or Burning Pain

When Autonomic Nerves are Affected Then Symptoms Include

• Change in Blood Pressure
• Digestive or Bladder Problem

Several Therapies or Methods May Lead to Effective Neuropathy Treatment Like

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Applying gentle electric current with various frequencies, using adhesive electrodes for 30 minutes daily could get you rid of pain.

Immune Globulin Therapy

Plasma exchange is done to suppress the immune system activity. It involves removing your blood and then antibodies and then proteins from the blood and then returning the blood with high levels of proteins back to the body.

Physical Therapy

If you have a muscle related weakness, physical therapy could help you to improve your movement. Regular physical therapy could result much better.

Surgery

If are caused neuropathy due to pressure on nerves like, pressure from tumors. You need to go for surgery to reduce the pressure.

A research conducted between 2005 and 2010 concluded that, synthetic cannabinoids and inhaled cannabis are effective treatments for a range of neuropathy. And a range of drugs which directly acts on central nervous system has been found playing an important role in managing neuropathic pain.

Actually, Neuropathy causes muscle loss, bone degeneration, painful cramps and changes in the skin, nail or hair. But by removing exposure to a toxin, we can halt further nerve damage.

See more details of Neuropathy from Diet and Fitness.