Neuropathy A Help Source For Beginners

Today's post from neurocentre.com (see link below) is a quick guide to neuropathy and a pointer to the British Neuropathy Trust (http://neurocentre.com/Neuropathy/) as a source of help. Most countries have their own neuropathy sites to help people new to the disease but this one, like the American Neuropathy Association, is international and people there will be able to answer most of your questions. Always useful to have this sort of resource at hand.

Welcome to the Neuropathy Trust
Posted on April 10, 2013

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?


If you have been told that you have peripheral neuropathy (PN) and / or neuropathic pain (NeP) the chances are that you will be pleased to to have found this web site. Many people in your situation feel confused and a little afraid. Uncertainty over the future course of your illness, along with pain, may feature highly as cause for concern. Being told that you have a condition which you may never have even heard of before can also lower your self confidence. It may surprise you to know that you are not on your own, far from it. Some authorities have estimated that at least up to 8% of the population may be affected by PN. That equates to approximately 4.7 million people in the UK alone.

Our first message to you is “don’t worry”; you are not on your own. The Neuropathy Trust began in 1998 with one individual who, like yourself, believed that he was just one of a few people affected. Learning more about these common conditions and their likely effects on yourself and others is one way to begin the process of regaining your confidence. It may become a turning point in your own life, as it has been for so many other people.

So, what exactly is Peripheral Neuropathy (PN)?

Peripheral Neuropathy [pron. - new-rop-athy] is a generic phrase denoting functional disturbances and/or pathological changes in the peripheral nervous system.

If the involvement is in one nerve it is commonly referred to as mononeuropathy, in several nerves, mononeuritis multiplex and if diffuse and bilateral, polyneuropathy.

Peripheral Neuropathy is not a specific disease but rather a manifestation of many conditions that cause damage to the peripheral nerves. There are believed to be in excess of one hundred different causes of peripheral neuropathy.

Many of our subscribers are affected by what is known as a cryptogenic or idiopathic neuropathy, which simply means that they have been diagnosed as having a peripheral neuropathy but the underlying cause has yet to be determined. We also have an ever-increasing number of subscribers who are affected by neuropathies of known origin, such as diabetes mellitus, HIV, nutritional deficiency, and as a result of the neurotoxic effects of certain prescribed treatments and therapies.

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy often affect the arms and legs. Common characteristics, depending on the type of neuropathy may include muscle weakness, chronic neuropathic pain (including – numbness, sensory disturbance, pins & needles, burning sensations etc.), and paralysis.

Additional complications reported by a significant number of our subscribers include amongst others; fatigue, memory retention deficit, mood swings, swallowing difficulty, acid reflux/generalised stomach complaints, and ataxia. Ataxia is a term used to describe a general lack of co-ordination, position sense and manual dexterity.

The symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy often vary from person to person and can affect people to a lesser or greater degree. However, in some cases, the symptoms may tend to necessitate a change in lifestyle which not only can affect the person directly, but also may possibly have a knock on effect on the family.

One of the hardest things about coming to terms with peripheral neuropathy is not necessarily the disabling effect that it can cause. It is quite natural to experience –

Feelings of isolation – because the chance of meeting other people with a similar condition may appear remote.

Feelings of frustration – because you quite naturally want to know what is happening to your body. These feelings can be exacerbated if no definitive diagnosis has been reached.

Peripheral Neuropathy affects people in different ways. It is quite natural to think that you are on your own and you may find it difficult to explain to others what it feels like.

The Neuropathy Trust. Registered Charity Number 1146892. Registered as a limited company in England and Wales 7632041

http://neurocentre.com/Neuropathy/2013/04/

A Beginners Guide To Neuropathy

Today's post from ourmidland.com (see link below) is another generic neuropathy post (of which there are many on this blog) but it's a good one and will provide even seasoned neuropathy patients with snippets of information they may not have come across before. Otherwise it's a very sensible introduction to the disease for people who have just been diagnosed, or suspect they may have nerve problems, or friends and family who are wondering what all the fuss is about. Worth a read.

Neuropathy: Getting to the nerve of the problem
Dr. Omar P. Haqqani, for the Daily News
Published  Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Stabbing or burning pain in your hands and feet, numbness, muscle fatigue, muscle twitching, decreased reflexes, and heat intolerance — these are the signs of neuropathy. Neuropathy is the term used to describe a problem with the peripheral nerves that communicate with the central nervous system — the brain and spinal cord. It is a common condition affecting upwards of 20 million Americans and is particularly prevalent in those people who have diabetes.

Neuropathy may affect a single nerve or a nerve group. It can also affect nerves in the whole body.

The problems caused by neuropathy depend on the type of nerves that are affected, as the term covers a wide area and many nerves, including autonomic nerves, motor nerves, and sensory nerves. Symptoms of neuropathy tend to start gradually, and then worsen over time.

Damage to nerves can be due to a number of reasons. In diabetes, high glucose circulating in the blood can attach to key components of nerves causing them to not send vital messages to the brain. In so doing, these nerves begin to malfunction and can cause a number of symptoms depending on the type of affected nerve fiber.

When autonomic nerves — nerves that control nearly every organ of the body — are affected, patients may lose the inability to sweat normally and develop a heat intolerance. An inability to properly regulate blood pressure is also common, which can lead to dangerous drops in blood pressure causing dizziness and fainting spells.

When motor nerves — nerves that control muscle movement — are affected, patients often experience muscle fatigue. Painful cramps, muscle twitching, muscle atrophy, and decreased reflexes are also common. Motor nerve damage often leads to inactivity and the health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

When sensory nerves — nerves that control sensation — are affected, patients can experience a variety of symptoms because sensory nerves serve a broad range of functions. The most common symptoms include loss of sensation, loss of reflexes, and inability to coordinate complex movements, such as fastening buttons.

Loss of sensation can lead to failure to sense a cut or a wound that is becoming infected and is a particularly serious problem for people who have diabetes, contributing to the high rate of limb amputations among diabetes sufferers.

Neuropathic pain is another common symptom of sensory nerve damage. This is often associated with an oversensitization of pain receptors in the skin causing people to feel severe pain from stimuli that are normally painless. Neuropathic pain is often worse at night and can disrupts sleep — imagine experiencing pain from the light touch of your bed sheets.

Neuropathy can be inherited, acquired through disease processes, or be the result of trauma. However, in about thirty percent of cases, a specific cause cannot be identified — this is referred to as idiopathic.

Most commonly, autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause neuropathy. Diabetes, however, is most closely associated with the condition. In fact, more than half the people with diabetes develop some form of neuropathy. Testing for neuropathy should be a routine part of your diabetes care.

Beyond family history or disease, other key risk factors for developing neuropathy include smoking, alcohol abuse, vitamin deficiency (particularly B vitamins), exposure to toxins, repetitive motions (such as those performed at your job), and kidney, liver, or thyroid disorders.

While there is no specific treatment for neuropathy, its underlying causes can be targeted.

Addressing any contributing causes such as infection, exposure to toxins, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, or compression that can lead to neuropathy is often the first step in treating the condition.

Incorporating healthy lifestyle habits can also prove beneficial. This can include smoking cessation, maintaining optimal weight, exercising, eating a balanced diet, and limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption.

Smoking cessation is particularly vital because smoking constricts the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the peripheral nerves which can worsen neuropathic symptoms.

Regular exercise can prevent muscle wasting, improve muscle strength, and reduce cramps. Various dietary strategies can prevent vitamin deficiencies. Partner with your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate exercise regimen and diet for you.

Self-care practices such as mindful foot care and careful wound treatment in people with diabetes can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Strict control of blood glucose levels can also reduce neuropathic symptoms and help people with diabetes avoid further nerve damage.

Various drugs and procedures are available to address inflammatory and autoimmune conditions leading to neuropathy. This may include immunosuppresives such as prednisone, or plasmapheresis — a procedure in which blood is removed, cleansed, and then returned to the body.

If you have neuropathy, it is vitally important, particularly if you have diabetes, that you partner with your physician to ensure any underlying causes are being addressed, and that you have a plan in place to make the appropriate lifestyle changes. Doing this will significantly reduce the chances of complications that can lessen your quality of life.

Dr. Omar P. Haqqani, MD is the Chief of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Vascular Health Clinics in Midland.

http://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Neuropathy-Getting-to-the-nerve-of-the-problem-10598700.php