Peripheral neuropathy, also called as peripheral neuritis, is a medical condition in which a single or a group of peripheral nerve(s) are damaged. There are four main types of peripheral neuropathy and it is classified according to the degree of damage of the peripheral nervous system. They are: mononeuropathy, polyneuropathy, autonomic neuropathy and mononeuritis multiplex. The patient with peripheral neuropathy often experiences pain, numbness, and burning sensation in the affected parts of the body, mostly in the palmar regions of the hands and legs.
Causes
Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by a number of conditions such as diabetes, hormonal causes such as thyroid dysfunctions, vitamin deficiency, autoimmune diseases, drug toxicity, circulatory problems, compression on the peripheral nerve, genetic causes and accidental trauma, or by infections such as HIV, and shingles. Some of the reports suggest that electric shocks and inflammatory diseases such as leprosy and chronic renal failures can cause peripheral neuropathy.
Symptoms
• Numbness or pain/burning sensation in the palms of the hands and legs
• Muscular pain and cramps
• Tremors
• Gait anomalies
• Increased skin sensitivity
• Tiredness and muscular fatigue
• Muscular sprains and twitching
• Abnormal sexual dysfunction
• Inability to wear shoe, socks, gloves and, in some patients, even inability to use the bed sheets.
Diagnosis
The conventional diagnosis is by neurological examination of the patient. The physician can diagnose loss of sensory or motor function in the patient. The peripheral neuropathy patient always complains burning, numbness, tingling and pain sensations in the hands and legs, and the symptoms are clinically correlated with the existing medical problems.
Treatment Options
The medical treatment is mainly targeted on the central nervous system. Some of the drugs commonly prescribed for peripheral neuropathy are Pregabalin, Duloxetin, Amitriptyline, Gabapentin, Valproate, etc. Also, opiates can relieve the neural pain, and medical marijuana and cannabis can be helpful in some types of peripheral neuropathy. Vitamins and nutritional supplements are prescribed, if the peripheral neuropathy is caused by vitamin deficiency, and synthetic thyroid hormones can be useful in the thyroid dysfunction-related peripheral neuropathy, etc. However, most of the treatments for the peripheral neuropathy patients are tailor-made and it depends on the underlying cause peripheral neuropathy.
Prognosis
The disease prognosis usually depends on the degree of the nerve damage and its type and causes. Some of the incidences of peripheral neuropathy with genetic causes are difficult to treat and the prognosis is usually poor, if left untreated. In some neuropathies, there will be permanent damage to the peripheral nervous system and there will be no use by medical treatment and the complications will remain for the lifetime of the peripheral neuropathy patient.
Prevention
To prevent the incidence or recurrence of peripheral neuropathy, you must control diabetes mellitus and high sugar levels. If the underlying condition of your peripheral neuropathy is treatable such as that caused by vitamin deficiency, try to take medicines regularly. Avoid smoking habits and alcohol habits, which may worsen the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Regular physical exercise may improve the prognosis and decrease the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. If you're diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, try to avoid handling electrical components and hot or too cold particles; wearing protective covering to your hands and feet can be useful.
When to see a doctor
If you have uncontrolled diabetes with pain, numbness or burning sensation in the legs and hands, gaits, cramp-like events or if you experience these symptoms even after you took the medicines, you should consult your physician right away.
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