Peripheral neuropathy is "distant nerve damage." It affects the nerves in the limbs, torso, and face. Learn about its causes and treatment options.
Peripheral neuropathy is a neurological disorder that means "distant nerve damage", or problems with nerve signals from the spinal cord to distant parts of the body. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, so the rest of the nervous system includes those nerves which span out from the spinal cord into the arms, legs, torso, and face. Damage to such nerves causes distinct problems with sensation, pain, and motor functions. The three types of neuropathy cause the three distinct types of above-mentioned problems.
The Three Types of Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is defined by the type of nerve that is damaged. Sensory neuropathy affects nerves which sense pain, touch, temperature, etc. Motor neuropathy affects the nerves which control voluntary muscle movements, such as the flexing and extending of the arms and legs. Autonomic neuropathy affects involuntary bodily functions such as breathing, digestion, blood pressure, and other organ functions.
Peripheral neuropathy can be broken down further into single area disturbance (mononeuropathy) or multi-area disturbances (polyneuropathy.) An example of the first type would be carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the nerves of the upper limbs. The second type of neuropathy would be that suffered by someone with diabetes, who has several areas of nerve damage (arms, legs, torso, etc.)
Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms
Neuropathy can cause problems in the limbs, torso, and/or face, including:
- tingling
- numbness
- pain
- burning
- itching
- weakness
- unusual sensations such as buzzing or tightening
- decreased blood pressure (autonomic)
- constipation or loss of bowel or bladder control (autonomic)
- muscle spasms/rigidity (motor)
Peripheral Neuropathy Causes
Neuropathy can be the result of various conditions, illnesses, or situations. It can also be idiopathic, or from no known cause. Some situations that might cause peripheral neuropathy include:
- diabetes (one of the leading causes)
- cancer
- autoimmune disorders (Guillain-Barre syndrome, MS)
- nerve compression (carpal tunnel syndrome)
- medications
- liver or kidney failure
- vitamin deficiencies
- Bell's palsy
- metabolic disorders (amyloidosis)
- alcoholism
Neuropathy Treatments
To treat peripheral neuropathy, it might be necessary to control the cause. If a person has an illness such as diabetes or MS, the goal is to regulate that illness to minimize the nerve damage. If a nerve is being compressed (carpal tunnel syndrome), a person might need to change his posture or routine in order to relieve the stress placed on those nerves. Occasionally, surgery is performed to correct a case of nerve compression. Vitamin deficiencies can be treated with oral vitamins or a better diet. If a person is having a reaction to a medication, then that med might be discontinued.
To relieve the symptoms of neuropathy, a doctor might prescibe any of the following medications: pain relievers, certain antidepressants (which block pain receptors in the brain), anti-seizure meds (they can calm burning, tingling sensations), lidocaine patches to numb pain, or stronger prescription pain meds.
Another treatment for peripheral neuropathy is counseling and relaxation tricks to calm the body. This type of treatment helps patients cope with their conditions.
- For related neurological information, check out the Neurological ARTICLE INDEX and Blog
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