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Neuropathy- Causes, Symptoms and Treatment


In the medical dictionary, the term Neuropathy means any kind of nerve disorders. One of the common forms of Juvenile Diabetes Complications, Diabetic neuropathies are a host of nerve disorders that are caused by diabetes. It has been seen that a prolonged effect of diabetes leaves behind fatal ramifications like a sensation of numbness and sometimes pain and weakness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs, which further spread to internal organs like heart, digestive tract and also sex organs. All these are a result of the damage brought about in the nervous system. This

Causes of Neuropathy

Mononeuropathies are usually caused by pressure on a nerve just under the skin near the knee, elbow, shoulder, or wrist. Some nerves close to the surface of the body, such as the median nerve in the wrist, the ulnar nerve in the elbow, the radial nerve in the upper arm, and the peroneal nerve in the calf, are more easily injured than other nerves. The injuries result in the following mononeuropathies: carpal tunnel syndrome,ulnar nerve palsy, radial nerve palsy, and peroneal nerve palsy. For example, making the same wrist movement over and over can cause pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, causing carpal tunnel syndrome.

When peripheral nerves are damaged, communication between your central nervous system and the rest of your body is disrupted. The type of damage to the nerves influences the types of symptoms that will occur. For example, if the sensory nerve fibers are damaged, you will likely experience changes in sensation such as numbness or pain. However, if the motor fibers are damaged, your muscles will be affected, causing changes in your ability to move.

Symptoms and Complications

The symptoms of neuropathy depend on the location and seriousness of the nerve damage. The first symptom of neuropathy is often mild tingling, which gets worse over time until the area becomes numb. People with diabetes often have neuropathy of the feet. This is a serious condition because they could get an infection or injure a foot and not be able to feel it.

Along with the tingling and numbness, people with chronic polyneuropathy may feel burning or shooting pain. Since they can't sense changes in temperature or feel pain caused by injuries, they often burn themselves or develop open sores from injuries they don't realize they have. They also have trouble walking and standing because they can't tell what position their joints are in.

Some signs of neuropathy may appear suddenly, but loss of sensation increases gradually. Neuropathic pain is common in those with cancer or HIV, as a result of the disease or drugs used for treatment. Diabetics will develop nerve damage sooner or later. Research shows that millions of Americans are affected by neuropathy, and that diabetes is one of the primary causes, responsible for more than half of those affected.

Treatment

In many cases, prompt diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause can reduce the risk for permanent nerve damage. For example, controlling diabetes may reduce diabetic neuropathy and renal dialysis often improves neuropathy that develops as a result of chronic renal failure.

Injection Therapy

Injection therapy involves injecting a nerve block (e.g., lidocaine) into the area surrounding affected nerves, preventing the nerve from carrying impulses to the brain and temporarily reducing symptoms. Injection therapy is often used with other treatments (e.g., medication, physical therapy).

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