neuropathy

Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves that transmit commands from the brain and spinal cord to various organs in the body become damaged or diseased. It can cause symptoms such as weakness, pain, and numbness in the hands and feet or other parts of the body. Pain and numbness caused by some diseases can be relieved by taking medication.

Symptoms of neuropathy There are three types of neuropathy, and neuropathy can occur in any of them:

• Sensory nerves, which are the nerves connected to the skin.
• Motor or conductive nerves, which are nerves that connect to muscles.
• The autonomic nervous system, which is the nerves that connect to internal organs.

Common symptoms of neuropathy include:

• There is tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.
• There is a burning or stinging sensation in the affected area.
• Muscle weakness, especially in the feet
• Loss of balance and coordination of body organs

Other symptoms that may occur include:

• Blood pressure drops to low levels
• Erectile dysfunction
• constipation
• Food that is difficult to digest
• diarrhea
• Sweating more than usual

All of the above symptoms occur all the time, but may go away on their own or come and go.

When should you see a doctor?

If you experience numbness, weakness, or unusual pain in your hands or feet, you should see a doctor immediately. If diagnosed and treated promptly, it can help control symptoms and prevent damage to the peripheral nerves.

Causes of neuropathy Causes of neuropathy can be caused by a number of diseases or conditions, including :

• Diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy, with half of people with diabetes having neuropathy.
• Injuries or compression on the nerves. Injuries that can damage the nerves include motor vehicle accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Compression that can damage the nerves includes splints, crutches, or repetitive motions, such as heavy typing.
• Autoimmune diseases include Sjogren’s Syndrome, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIPD), and Necrotizing Vasculitis.
• Genetic disorders such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a genetic neurological disorder
• Infections , whether viral or bacterial, including Lyme disease, shingles, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C  , leprosy ,diphtheria , or HIV, can all cause neuropathy .
• Exposure to toxins : Exposure to toxic chemicals or heavy metals can cause neuropathy.
• The use of certain medications , especially those who are being treated for cancer with chemotherapy, can increase the risk of developing neuropathy.
• Alcoholism, poor diet choices or poor nutrition in alcoholics can lead to vitamin deficiencies in the body, which can lead to neuropathy.
• Tumorsand cancers can occur on or compress nerves. In addition, certain cancers that involve the body’s immune response can cause polyneuropathy, which refers to paraneoplastic syndrome.
• Vitamin deficiencies, including vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin E, and niacin, are major factors that can lead to neuropathy or abnormal neurological health.
• Bone marrow disorders , including neuropathy caused by the accumulation of abnormal proteins, bone cancer, lymphoma, and amyloidosis.
• Other diseases include kidney disease, liver disease, connective tissue disorders, and hyperthyroidism.

In addition, there are many patients with neuropathy whose cause cannot be identified.

Diagnosing Peripheral Neuropathy To diagnose peripheral neuropathy, your doctor will begin by asking about your symptoms and performing a physical examination of the affected area. This may include testing your senses, strength, and autonomic nervous system reflexes. Your doctor may also order blood tests to rule out possible causes, such as diabetes or vitamin B12 deficiency.

Some patients may need to see a neurologist for further tests, such as:

• Nerve Conduction Test (NCS) is a test that uses electrical stimulation to stimulate the nerves. Electrodes are attached to the skin, which allows measurements of nerve signal speed and strength.
• Electromyography (EMG) is a test that uses electrical signals to measure muscle activity. It is usually done in conjunction with a nerve conduction test (NCS).

Other tests include:

• Detailed tests such as X-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can help identify the cause more easily.
• A section of nerve tissue is removed to examine for abnormalities, usually of a sensory nerve.
• A biopsy of some of the abnormal skin area for examination.
• Other neurological function tests Nerve Fiber Function Test Sweat Test

Treatment of neuropathy Treatment of neuropathy aims to treat the underlying disease or condition and relieve the symptoms.

Use of medication

• Pain relievers. Over-the-counter medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),can relieve mild symptoms, but if symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend a pain reliever. In addition, medications that contain opioids, such as Tramadol and Oxycodone, can be addictive. These medications are prescribed by a doctor only and are used when other treatments have not worked.
• Anticonvulsants , such as gabapentin and pregabalin, have been developed to treat epilepsy, but can cause side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness.
• Topical medications such as capsaicin cream can help reduce symptoms caused by neuropathy. Using creams can cause skin irritation and stinging, but symptoms usually improve over time. Another treatment option is lidocaine patches, which are applied to the affected area of ​​the skin to relieve pain. However, they can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and numbness.
• Antidepressants and tricyclic drugs, such as amitriptyline, doxepin, and nortriptyline, are used to relieve pain related to chemical processes in the brain and spinal cord that cause pain sensations. There are also drugs used to treat diabetic neuropathy, such as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and venlafaxine, but they can have side effects such as dry mouth, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, loss of appetite, and constipation.

Therapy

Treatment to help relieve symptoms of neuropathy may include the following:

• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a pain-relieving technique that uses electrical nerve stimulation through the skin to reduce pain. Electrodes are placed on the skin and deliver mild electrical currents at varying frequencies. It’s typically used for 30 minutes a day for about a month.
• Plasma exchange and intravenous immune globulin therapy are procedures that help suppress the immune system, which can be helpful for people with certain inflammatory conditions. Plasma exchange involves removing blood, removing antibodies and proteins from the blood, and returning the filtered blood to the body. With immunoglobulin therapy, patients receive high levels of proteins that act like antibodies.
• Physical therapy For patients with weak bodies, physical therapy can help improve body movement. In addition, patients may need to use a walker, a cane, a wheelchair , or a walker.
• Surgery For patients with a cause of compression on a nerve, such as compression from a tumor, surgery may be necessary to relieve the compression.

Complications of neuropathy Possible complications of neuropathy include:

• Skin wounds and burns occur, and the patient may not feel changes in temperature or pain at the wound site due to numbness.
• Infection Whether it is the feet or other parts of the body that are deprived of sensation from neuropathy, the patient may be injured without the patient knowing. Therefore, the patient should always check the area and treat any wounds or injuries that occur before they become infected, especially in people with diabetes.
• Falls because when the body is weak and has no feeling, it can cause the body to lose its balance and make it easy for the patient to fall.

Prevention of neuropathy

Here are some ways to prevent neuropathy:

• Treat and control the underlying cause. An effective way to prevent neuropathy is to treat and control diseases that increase the risk of neuropathy, such as diabetes, alcoholism, or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Choose to live a healthy life, such as:
  • Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, grains and low-fat proteins because they help maintain nerve health and prevent vitamin B12 deficiency. Eat beef, fish, eggs, low-fat foods and fortified grains. In addition, if you are a vegetarian, eat fortified grains because they are a source of vitamin B12. However, you should consult your doctor about taking vitamin B12 supplements first.
  • Exercise regularly. If the doctor has diagnosed the patient as being able to exercise, they should exercise for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour at a time, at least 3 times a week.
  • Avoid factors that can cause nerve damage, such as repetitive activities, restricted postures, exposure to toxic chemicals, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.