Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral Neuropathy

Are you struggling with neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy in Surprise? Neuropathy is defined as a group of disorders that begin due to damage to the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is a part of the nervous system excluding the brain and spinal cord. This means that this is the collection of nerves that connects your limbs and organs to the central nervous system. This condition is also known as peripheral neuropathy and generally occurs because damage to the nerve axons has occurred. The nerve axon is what conducts the electrical impulses to different places. For example, if damage occurs within the axon of a sensory neuron, then a person’s sense of touch and warmth will be impaired. Generally, neuropathy creates pain, numbness, and tingling in the extremities (hands and feet). There are several different causes of this condition, including:

The most common: diabetes

Traumatic injury

Infection

Metabolic Disorders

Toxins

Types of Neuropathy in Surprise AZ

Sensorimotor polyneuropathy

Affects the sensory and motor nerves

Autonomic neuropathy

Affects nerves that control processes such as breathing, heartbeat, perspiration, etc.

Peripheral neuropathy often creates painful sensations described as tingling, burning, and prickling. With a condition such as this, a specific duration of the pain varies but generally improves in time. There is a better chance of improving the symptoms if proper treatment for an underlying condition is received. It is common to see the condition correlating with several life factors, such as poor nutrition, various diseases, trauma, or pressure on the nerves. In some cases, there is an unknown cause. This is referred to as idiopathic neuropathy.

According to the Neuropathy Association, more than 20 million Americans are suffering from a form of neuropathy. That means that more people suffer from this one condition than Alzheimer’s, Epilepsy, Rheumatoid Arthritis, HIV, Parkinson’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis combined. Of those 20 million Americans suffering from neuropathy, an estimated 15-18 million of those people have this condition due to a form of diabetes.

There are over 100 different types of neuropathy, but peripheral neuropathy can be further categorized into one of the following groups. The group is defined according to how many nerves are involved.

A single nerve involved would be classified as mononeuropathy. When this occurs, conditions like carpel tunnel syndrome and bell’s palsy may manifest.

Two or more individual nerves involved would be classified as multiple mononeuropathy.

Involvement of a board range of peripheral nerves would be classified as polyneuropathy. When is occurs, conditions like diabetes may be associated.

There are several other ways to categorize these conditions, including:

Functional classification: motor, sensory, autonomic or a combination

Type of onset: hours, days, weeks, months, years

Peripheral neuropathy, affecting the extremities like the arms, wrists, hands, legs, ankles and feet, is the most common.

Causes of Neuropathy

There is not a single underlying cause for neuropathy. In fact, there may be no known cause that is referred to as idiopathic and makes up nearly 40% of all neuropathy . Also, nearly 35% of the remaining Americans suffering from neuropathy have diabetes. In fact, almost 70% of Americans with diabetes have developed a form of neuropathy due to the disease. The remaining percent of neuropathy is composed of a group called acquired neuropathy . This group consists of causes such as:

Alcoholism

Poor nutrition and nutritional deficiencies

Trauma

Pressure on nerves

Repetitive movements for extended periods of time

Various autoimmune diseases

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Lupus

Toxins

Heavy metal poisoning

Various medications

Certain cancer treatments

Hereditary neuropathy (from inherited disorders)

Tumors

Other diseases, including but not limited to:

HIV/AIDS

Lyme disease

Liver disease

Kidney disease

Hypothyroidism

Who can Develop Neuropathy?

Neuropathy affects all people of all ages in Surprise. It is more commonly found in men and Caucasians as well as those who have jobs consisting of a lot of repetitive movements. Other risk factors can range from lifestyle choices, behaviors, and conditions. As previously stated, those who have poor nutrition are likely to develop Type II Diabetes which will cause neuropathy. If a person suffers from an autoimmune disease, they have a predisposition for the development of various types of neuropathy. If a person has a compromised immune system (organ transplant recipient, HIV/AIDS patients, or due to medication), they are at an increased risk for developing a type of neuropathy. If a person suffers from alcoholism or has a vitamin deficiency, they are likely to develop a form of neuropathy. Also, if a person has kidney disease, liver disease, or a thyroid disorder they are more susceptible to developing neuropathy.

Diagnosis of Neuropathy

This condition is generally not a simple diagnosis to make. It is difficult because it is not often that it is a disease present alone rather a symptom of an underlying disease. There is a process that occurs before the diagnosis is made. The process may consist of:

Full medical history

Physical exam

Neurological exam

Tendon reflexes

Muscular strength

Muscular tone

Sensory tests

Postural analysis

Coordination analysis

Blood tests (check vitamin B-12)

Urinalysis

Thyroid function tests

Nerve conduction test

In some cases, a nerve biopsy may be requested by a physician.

As always remember that if you have questions you can call the team at Array Medical Center in Suprise for help.

“Omg the best of the best!!!!!! I will always go here!!!!!!”

Anonymous

QUICK CONTACT

Please fill out the form below, including all required fields, and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Peripheral Neuropathy