Children And Neuropathy

Today's post from aidsmap.com (see link below) looks at a largely forgotten and maybe underestimated group of HIV positive people who also suffer from neuropathic problems - children (especially in lands where resources are scarce)!
If you have neuropathy yourself, you'll know how difficult it is sometimes both to put how you're feeling into words and to learn to deal with the symptoms. Imagine what it must be like for children, who have no idea what's happening to them and why. They will not be able to articulate their symptoms in the same way that adults can. The article ends by advising 'talking to the child'. As adults we sometimes long to be able to talk about our neuropathy, so the need must be much greater in children.

Peripheral neuropathy in South African children highlights limited ARV choices

Look out for peripheral nerve damage; "talk to the child", advises researcher

Peripheral neuropathy was identified in one-in-four children on HIV treatment in rural Mopani District, one of the poorest and least well-resourced areas in South Africa, Dr Remco Peters reported today at the19^th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) in Washington, DC.

The findings underline the importance of improving paediatric antiretroviral formulations suitable for use in sub-Saharan Africa.

In this cross-sectional study of 182 children, aged from 5 to 15, 86% were receiving an antiretroviral (ART) regimen that included d4T (stavudine, Zerit).
Among HIV-infected adults, peripheral neuropathy is common and well recognised. It affects between 30 and 60% of people with HIV and may be related to HIV infection and/or the drugs used to treat HIV. Few studies have been able to distinguish between peripheral neuropathy as a result of HIV itself and neuropathy as a side-effect of ART. Other contributing factors include vitamin and mineral deficiencies and autoimmune effects.

Peripheral nerves are responsible for sensation-pain, pressure, heat sensation (sensory nerves) movement (motor nerves) and automatic bodily functions such as breathing, heartbeat, sweating and emptying of the stomach (autonomic nerves). Damage to these nerves is called neuropathy.

In most people with HIV, nerve damage usually starts in the hands or feet (hence the term 'peripheral' neuropathy), affecting both sides of the body and involving multiple nerves. It can range from mild numbness or pain to debilitating pain. Other symptoms include increased sensitivity to touch, diminished reflexes and weakness. It can severely affect quality of life.
Stavudine (d4T) and didanosine (ddI, Videx, Videx EC) are two of the anti-HIV drugs known as dideoxynucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or ‘d-drugs’, which can cause peripheral neuropathy.

The World Health Organization (WHO), concerned about the side effects of d4T (principally abnormal body fat loss, or lipoatrophy, and peripheral neuropathy in adults) has urged national treatment programmes – wherever affordable – to drop d4T and move to tenofovir-(Viread) or AZT-based treatment regimens in adults.

The findings of the study presented today are likely to reinforce calls for access to paediatric formulations of abacavir (Ziagen) in settings where d4T is the only current alternative. Abacavir is already available for paediatric use in southern Africa, and is recommended by the World Health Organization as a component of first-line paediatric treatment, but remains substantially more expensive than stavudine.

A powder version of tenofovir suitable for use in children aged two to five years is licensed for use in the United States, but safety studies have not been carried out in children in sub-Saharan Africa to evaluate any potential risk of kidney toxicity or decreased bone mineral density. The South African HIV Clinicians Society has suggested that tenofovir should be used with caution in young children until further safety data are available.

In June of this year, WHO issued guidance on the best use of tenofovir in adolescents and children over two years of age The recommended dose is 8 mg/kg body weight (up to a maximum of 300 mg), administered once daily using either an oral powder formulation or low-strength tablets. Caution is needed nonetheless since tenofovir in combination with ddI increases the risk of ddI-related toxicities, including peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed based on symptoms and is more difficult to diagnose in children. Few tools exist for clinical screening for peripheral neuropathy in children. Children may find it difficult to describe their symptoms.
Few data exist on the extent, symptoms or causes of peripheral neuropathy among HIV-positive children in sub-Saharan Africa, where d4T is in common use. Among the estimated 2.3 million HIV-positive children, between 2008 and 2009, approximately 90% were on an ART regimen containing d4T.

The researchers chose to use neuropathy symptom score (NSS) and neuropathy disability score (NDS) to screen for peripheral neuropathy in this cohort of children.

NSS, a subjective assessment tool, includes a series of questions about location and severity of pain and pain relief (for example, does sitting help?) in the feet and legs. Each response is given a score of 0, 1 or 2. Total scores of 3, 5 and 7 indicate mild, moderate and severe neuropathy, respectively.

The NDS, an objective assessment tool, looks at ankle reflex (0, 1 or 2), vibration perception (0 or 1), pin-prick perception (0 or 1) and temperature perception (0 or 1) and scored. A reflex hammer, cotton swabs, a toothpick and cold water are all that is needed to carry out the test.

An NSS score equal to or above 3 or an NDS score equal to or above 2 was used as a definitive diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. Dr Remco noted these were conservative cut-off points.

In total, 96% (174/182) of this cohort of children, all collecting ART from nurse-managed treatment programmes, completed screening for peripheral neuropathy. This included a questionnaire, physical exam, NSS and NDS scores.
The median age was 9.2 years with median time on ART of two years (2 months to 6.4 years).

Forty-nine children (27%) reported symptoms related to neuropathy, while 25 children (14%) met the NDS criteria. Overall, 43 children (25%) were identified as having peripheral neuropathy. Examples of children's descriptions of symptoms included:

• “My feet are burning, I must take off my shoes in class otherwise I can’t concentrate.”

• “I can’t sleep at night because of the tingling in my feet; I’m tired during the day.”

Dr Remco noted that, while the cause of peripheral neuropathy was not addressed in depth, being on ART for a longer period of time (p=0.06) was a major contributor.

Dr Remco concluded that, in this region, peripheral neuropathy among children is common and often goes undiagnosed. Simple and easy to use, the NSS and NDS are valuable tools for assessing peripheral neuropathy in a resource-poor and skills-limited setting.

The most important lesson learned is “quite simply, to talk to the child”, he added. In these settings, “We [healthcare workers] do not talk to the children, we will talk to the mother or caregiver about the child but never directly to the child.”

http://www.aidsmap.com/page/2448363/

How Does Pernicious Anemia Relate To Neuropathy?

The last 4 posts and this one, all relate to Vitamin B12 and neuropathy. If you weren't a hypochondriac before reading these, you may well be afterwards, so taking a sensible view of the many symptoms shown here is advisable. Strangely, most HIV and/or neuropathy patients aren't standard tested for B12 deficiency but it may well be worth asking your doctor to do exactly that - it may explain several things. All 5 posts come from the same site B12patch.com (see links below the articles), which is pretty much an 'all you would ever want to know' type of information site but the descriptions of what neuropathy is are accurate and honest and explained in language that we all can understand. Very interesting and worth discussing with your doctor if there's time, especially if you're considering taking B12 supplement pills (usually need Folic acid to help absorption) - injections may be better in your case.

Pernicious Anemia- Vitamin B12 Deficiency is Nerve Rattling- Peripheral Neuropathy

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

Do your legs keep going numb? It could be vitamin B12 deficiency. Peripheral neuropathy -nerve damage from pernicious anemia-vitamin B12 deficiency- causes symptoms like pain, burning, and tingling sensations in your fingers and toes. Find out how vitamin B12 supplements can help…

They’re like Fed Ex for your nervous system

Your peripheral nerves operate outside your brain, shunting messages between your brain and your spinal cord. They communicate signals about taste, touch, hearing, smell, and sight.

The peripheral nerves also transmit messages influencing your motor skills, muscular coordination, and autonomic reflexes like breathing, heartbeat, bowel control, and blood pressure.

Damage to your peripheral nerves is called peripheral neuropathy. Depending on which nerves are impaired, symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include disorientation, “brain fog,” loss of muscle control, “pins and needles” sensations, and digestive disorders.

Pernicious anemia-vitamin B12 deficiency is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy. (Read Do you have Franken-DNA from Pernicious Anemia?)

I think I’m having a nervous breakdown…

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy vary from patient to patient. Nerve damage caused by pernicious anemia may differ from neuropathy resulting from alcoholism, for example.

• Burning and painful numbness in the toes, feet, legs, fingers, hands, and legs
• Decreased ability to differentiate between hot and cold
• Loss of muscular control
• Muscular feebleness
• Tripping
• Muscular twitching, including eyelids
• Indigestion, heartburn, and bloating even after small meals
• Vomiting
• Acid reflux
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bladder problems
• Sexual dysfunctions
• Sensation of food getting stuck in your throat
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Excess sweating

What causes peripheral neuropathy?

At least 20 million US citizens suffer from one of many different types of peripheral neuropathy.
About 30% of the time, doctors are unable to find a cause or cure, and the diagnosis is “idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.” (Meaning, we don’t know why you’re having nerve pain.)
Another 30% of nerve pain is related to diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is one of the leading known causes of painful tingling, numbness, and soreness in the feet.
The remaining 30% is caused by an assortment of conditions and ailments:

• Autoimmune disorders like pernicious anemia and rheumatoid arthritis
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Tumor
• Kidney disease
• Infection
• HIV
• Toxic reaction to alcohol, drugs, or chemotherapy
• Poor circulation
• Hypothyroidism
• Heredity

Treatments for peripheral neuropathy

Not all kinds of peripheral neuropathy can be cured. However, understanding the cause, be it vitamin B12 deficiency or Crohn’s disease, can help your doctor prescribe proper coping mechanisms and lifestyle habits to avoid complications.

• If vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause, then you will need to take vitamin B12 supplements, possibly for life.
• If pernicious anemia or digestive disorder is the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency, then you will have to use delivery methods that dispense vitamin B12 directly into your bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system.
• With diabetic peripheral neuropathy, you must check your feet often for blisters and cuts, in order to prevent infections.
• Daily exercise helps to improve circulation and relieve nerve pain.
• Get regular foot and hand massages to improve circulation.
• Don’t sit in the same position for a long time, and don’t put pressure on your arms and legs.
• If you suffer from Crohn’s disease or other GI disorders, then eat light meals that are low in fat, and avoid processed foods.
• Alternative treatments that are beneficial include herbal supplements, antioxidants, acupuncture, and biofeedback.

http://www.b12patch.com/blog/tag/peripheral-neuropathy/

More Possible Causes Of Tingling In Hands And Feet

The last 3 posts and the next 2 posts all relate to Vitamin B12 and neuropathy. If you weren't a hypochondriac before reading these, you may well be afterwards, so taking a sensible view of the many symptoms shown here is advisable. Strangely, most HIV and/or neuropathy patients aren't standard tested for B12 deficiency but it may well be worth asking your doctor to do exactly that - it may explain several things. All 5 posts come from the same site B12patch.com (see links below the articles), which is pretty much an 'all you would ever want to know' type of information site but the descriptions of what neuropathy is are accurate and honest and explained in language that we all can understand. Very interesting and worth discussing with your doctor if there's time, especially if you're considering taking B12 supplement pills (usually need Folic acid to help absorption) - injections may be better in your case.

What causes annoying tingling in the hands and feet?

 

 

 

 Pernicious anemia

One of the earliest symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is neuropathic pain- sufferers of vitamin B12 deficiency feel sharp, achy tingling in the hands and feet, numbness, “pins and needles,” or a painfully swollen tongue.
Even if you eat sufficient food sources of vitamin B12 from meat, fish, and dairy sources, you might have dangerously low B12 levels.
Causes include autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal diseases or surgeries, drug interactions, or the inability to produce intrinsic factor in the stomach. To find out if you have vitamin B12 deficiency, ask your physician for a vitamin B12 blood test- you might require vitamin B12 supplements.

Underactive thyroid

Hypothyroidism causes symptoms similar to vitamin B12 deficiency, like “brain fog,” fatigue, depression, muscular pain, and numbness or tingling in your hands and feet.

Sitting and standing

Sitting or standing for long periods without moving or taking a break- washing the dishes, standing by a register, or sitting at a computer for hours- can cause prickly tingling in your feet and legs.

 

Striking a nerve

If you have suffered a head or neck injury, then you may experience numbness in your arms. Similarly, a lower-back injury could cause painful numbness in your legs.

Shingles

If you’ve ever had the Chicken Pox, then you’re a candidate for shingles. The herpes zoster virus appears around middle age, and causes neuropathic pain such as painful skin rash, itchiness, red blisters, and painful tingling and numbness.

Frostbite

Both frostbite and atherosclerosis (arterial plaque build-up) restrict blood supply to your extremities, causing severely painful numbness in toes, hands, feet, or fingers.

Nerve pressure

If you have suffered a herniated disk, then painful nerve pressure on your spine may cause tingling and numbness in legs. Dilated blood vessels, scar tissue, infections, or tumors may also cause severe peripheral neuropathy.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by constant repetitive motions, such as typing or knitting, causes aching in your hands, fingers, and wrists.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, causing feebleness, reduced motor control, trouble maintaining physical balance, and foot numbness.

Diabetes

One of the many symptoms of diabetes, a blood sugar disorder, included painful tingling sensations and numbness in the hands and feet.

Seizures

People who experience frequent seizures, such as epileptic seizures, may experience dizziness, prickly “pins and needles” sensations in their hands, feet, arms, legs, or numbness in the face.

Stroke

Stroke victims suffer loss of consciousness, speech slurs, disorientation, partial paralysis, numbness, and tingling on one side of the body.

Migraines

Migraines with aura produce stroke-like symptoms such as sudden “gibberish” talk, visual distortions, facial numbness, feebleness, and mental confusion.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA),

A transient ischemic attack, or “mini-stroke,” may signal an oncoming stroke; symptoms include dizziness, mental confusion, balance problems, and numbness or tingling on one side of the body.

Lupus

One of the symptoms of lupus autoimmune disorder is Raynaud’s phenomenon, which causes poor blood flow to your fingers and toes by constricting blood vessels.

Toxic poisoning

Exposure to toxic amounts of alcohol, lead, radiation therapy, seafood toxins, or tobacco may cause neuropathic damage, including painful numbness in arms or legs.

Animal or insect bite

If you’re bitten by an animal or insect (spider, tick), then you might experience symptoms such as prickly tingling and numbness in your fingers, toes, arms, or legs


http://www.b12patch.com/blog/symptoms-of-vitamin-b12-deficiency-2/painful-tingling-in-hands-and-feet-what%e2%80%99s-up-with-that/

What Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

The last 2 posts and the next 3 posts all relate to Vitamin B12 and neuropathy. If you weren't a hypochondriac before reading these, you may well be afterwards, so taking a sensible view of the many symptoms shown here is advisable. Strangely, most HIV and/or neuropathy patients aren't standard tested for B12 deficiency but it may well be worth asking your doctor to do exactly that - it may explain several things. All 5 posts come from the same site B12patch.com (see links below the articles), which is pretty much an 'all you would ever want to know' type of information site but the descriptions of what neuropathy is are accurate and honest and explained in language that we all can understand. Very interesting and worth discussing with your doctor if there's time, especially if you're considering taking B12 supplement pills (usually need Folic acid to help absorption) - injections may be better in your case.

Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency an Autoimmune Disorder? Yup.

If you’ve been diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency, you’re probably wondering, “How did this happen?” Unless you’re a vegan or a gastric bypass patient, it’s possible that vitamin B12 deficiency resulted from an autoimmune disorder that causes pernicious anemia.

Vitamin B12 deficiency- what are the symptoms?

Vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining your nervous system, psychological health, and your metabolism. Pernicious anemia causes a wide range of debilitating symptoms that interfere with daily life, and is one cause of B12 deficiency.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency-pernicious anemia may include:

• Everyday fatigue, despite sleeping well
• Brain fog- confusion
• Impaired concentration
• Impaired memory
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Painful numbness and tingling in hands and feet
• Tingling or burning sensation in mouth and tongue
• Slower reflexes
• Difficulty walking normally
• Stomach upset
• Infertility or frequent miscarriages and stillbirths

Vitamin B12 deficiency- what are the causes?

There are many reasons why an individual may develop vitamin B12 deficiency. First off, if you eat a diet rich in sources of vitamin B12, including beef, poultry, fish, and milk, then you should not under any normal circumstances become deficient in vitamin B12 levels.

• Following a vegan diet is a major risk factor for vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in animal-based foods, the richest sources being liver, shellfish, and many lean meats. Unless you supplement your vegan diet with vitamin B12, then you will eventually become depleted, as few plant-based products are infused with substantial amounts of vitamin B12.
• Certain lifestyle choices may interfere with vitamin B12 absorption, including stomach or intestinal surgery (such as gastric bypass), alcohol abuse, and using certain B12-inhibiting medications (such as metformin or protein pump inhibitors [PPIs]).
• Gastrointestinal diseases, in addition to other diseases that include GI malfunction, may cause vitamin B12 deficiency. These include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, fibromyalgia, migraine disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
• The elderly do not produce enough stomach acid to digest vitamin B12 fully, so they are a separate risk group for vitamin B12 deficiency.
• If none of the above-mentioned risk factors pertain to you, then it’s entirely possible that you suffer from an autoimmune disorder that prevents you from absorbing vitamin B12 from dietary sources. Autoimmune pernicious anemia may take decades to develop and typically goes unnoticed until you reach your thirties or forties.

Vitamin B12 deficiency from autoimmune disorder

In order to get vitamin B12 into your blood supply, you need certain digestive enzymes to help you access vitamin B12 from the foods you eat. Intrinsic factor is that necessary enzyme that your body uses to absorb vitamin B12.
For some people, certain antibodies interfere with intrinsic factor, causing your immune system to malfunction. If you have one of the antibodies that interfere with vitamin B12 absorption, then you will never be able to digest vitamin B12, no matter how many hamburgers or fish dinners you eat in your lifetime.

Three types of antibodies cause vitamin B12 deficiency- pernicious anemia. They include:

• Parietal cell antibody, which prevents the production of intrinsic factor in the stomach.
• Intrinsic factor antibody, type 1, which prevents the bonding of vitamin B12 to intrinsic factor. About 50%-60% of pernicious anemia patients have this type of antibody.
• Intrinsic factor antibody, type 2, which allows bonding of vitamin B12 to intrinsic factor, but prevents bonding with receptor from the ileum (the bottommost part of your small intestine).

If you’ve been tested for vitamin B12 deficiency, it’s important that you also take a blood test for the pernicious anemia antibody. Many doctors overlook this important screening, so you might need to ask for it.
Vitamin B12 deficiency autoimmune disorder requires vitamin B12 from non-oral sources, such as vitamin B12 injections, which are available only through prescription.

http://www.b12patch.com/blog/pernicious-anemia-what-is-it/is-vitamin-b12-deficiency-an-autoimmune-disorder-yup/

The Effect Of Vitamin B12 On Your Nervous System

Yesterday's post and the next four posts all relate to Vitamin B12 and neuropathy. If you weren't a hypochondriac before reading these, you may well be afterwards, so taking a sensible view of the many symptoms shown here is advisable. Strangely, most HIV and/or neuropathy patients aren't standard tested for B12 deficiency but it may well be worth asking your doctor to do exactly that - it may explain several things. All 5 posts come from the same site B12patch.com (see links below the articles), which is pretty much an 'all you would ever want to know' type of information site but the descriptions of what neuropathy is are accurate and honest and explained in language that we all can understand. Very interesting and worth discussing with your doctor if there's time, especially if you're considering taking B12 supplement pills (usually need Folic acid to help absorption) - injections may be better in your case.

How Vitamin B12 Deficiency affects your Nervous System -Physical Pain

Certain symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are hard to miss-overwhelming fatigue, painful numbness, brain fog. But vitamin B12 deficiency causes a wide range of physical and mental disorders, so many that it’s easy to confuse them for other health problems, such as thyroiditis, diabetes, or clinical depression. To understand the impact that vitamin B12 (cobalamin) has on your body, it’s important to address all the various biological functions that become impaired when vitamin B12 deficiency occurs.

This segment focuses on physical neuropathic pain caused by vitamin B12 deficiency-pernicious anemia.

Vitamin B12 and your nervous system

Vitamin B12 is one of the most important nutrients for your nerve cells- it plays an instrumental role in protecting and maintaining your nervous system impulses.
Each nerve cell is protected by a fatty layer called myelin that insulates and allows for quick and efficient communication throughout the many other neurons of your brain and spinal cord.
Demyelinating diseases such as pernicious (megaloblastic) anemia and multiple sclerosis destroy the myelin of your nervous system, wearing it down to a thin layer, causing nervous reactions to slow down and malfunction.

Physical damage caused by vitamin B12 deficiency

Neuropathy, nerve cell impairment, is a one of the first symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency and unless treated, worsens with time, causing severe and permanent nerve damage affecting your physical health.
Physical impairments caused by vitamin B12 deficiency include:

• Numbness in your hands and feet, including “pins and needles” tingling sensations
• Slower reflexes
• Impaired perception of vibrations
• Altered taste perception
• Ataxia- difficulty controlling posture and movement.
• Gait impairment- difficulty walking smoothly without stumbling
• Muscular weakness
• Poor bladder control
• Burning mouth syndrome- tingling and painful burning sensations in your tongue, mouth, and lips
• Impaired vision
• Eye twitching
• Impotence
• Increased risk for miscarriage and stillborn births

Diagnosing and treating vitamin B12 deficiency
A few simple blood tests are required to positively diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia; first, a screening of vitamin B12 levels in the blood and second, a screening of antibodies that indicate autoimmune disorder as a possible cause of vitamin B12 deficiency.

To get your B12 levels back to normal, your doctor will likely prescribe routine vitamin B12 injections, to be inserted intramuscularly (optimally in the thick muscular tissue of the thighs). The usual dose is 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 per shot.
Since vitamin B12 shots require prescription, many sufferers of pernicious anemia who need extra doses of vitamin B12 have the option of supplementing with over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin B12. Dietary vitamin B12 pills are not recommended, as they are not digestible for the majority of vitamin B12 deficiency patients.

http://www.b12patch.com/blog/symptoms-of-vitamin-b12-deficiency-2/how-vitamin-b12-deficiency-affects-your-nervous-system-part-1-physical-pain/

Can Vitamin B12 Help Repair Nerve Damage?

The next five posts all relate to Vitamin B12 and neuropathy. If you weren't a hypochondriac before reading these, you may well be afterwards, so taking a sensible view of the many symptoms shown here is advisable. Strangely, most HIV and/or neuropathy patients aren't standard tested for B12 deficiency but it may well be worth asking your doctor to do exactly that - it may explain several things. All 5 posts come from the same site B12patch.com (see links below the articles), which is pretty much an 'all you would ever want to know' type of information site but the descriptions of what neuropathy is are accurate and honest and explained in language that we all can understand. Very interesting and worth discussing with your doctor if there's time.

Can Vitamin B12 Repair Nerve Cells?
Thursday, March 29th, 2012

We know that vitamin B12 helps to protect your nerve cells from harm by sustaining the myelin sheath; with vitamin B12 deficiency, you begin to experience symptoms of severe nerve cell damage, such as painful tingling or numbness in your hands and feet. Is it too late to repair nerve damage, once the symptoms have set in? It depends…

Your peripheral nervous system (PNS)

It’s important to understand what we mean when we refer to the peripheral nervous system (PNS). While your central nervous system (CNS) includes just the nerves and nerve cells of your brain and spinal cord, your peripheral nervous system includes all the other nerves of your body- the network of neurons that branch out from your CNS to your limbs, torso, face, and internal organs.

Every time you take in the mouthwatering scent of food cooking on a grill, or feel the bite of winter frost on your nose, that’s your peripheral nervous system at work. Even your inner bodily functions like breathing, blood pressure, and digestion are controlled by your peripheral nerves.

Peripheral nerve protection

Your central nervous system is well protected by your skull and by a blood-brain barrier. The same can’t be said for your peripheral nervous system, unfortunately.
The only protection your PNS has includes a coating of a fatty protein called myelin that insulates each and every strand of peripheral nerve cells, very similar to the way cable wires are protected by a strong coat of rubber.

Symptoms of peripheral nerve damage

When myelin erodes, as it does with certain illnesses, your nerve cells may be damaged by free radicals, bacteria, or a number of other threats. The results are symptoms like nerve pain, tingling, and numbness. These are the first signs of peripheral neuropathy.

Unless treated immediately, other symptoms of peripheral nerve damage may include:

• Heightened sensitivity to touch
• Muscular weakness
• Muscular atrophy
• Poor motor control
• Paralysis
• Burning pain
• Organ dysfunction
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Heart palpitations
• Breathlessness
• Excessive sweating
• Infertility
• Increased risk for heart attack and stroke

What causes peripheral neuropathy?

There are only two main causes of peripheral nerve damage- either an inherited genetic anomaly, or an acquired condition, like pernicious anemia-vitamin B12 deficiency, and other autoimmune disorders.

Testing for vitamin B12 deficiency and intrinsic factor antibodies is an important first step in diagnosing the cause of peripheral nerve damage.

Treating nerve pain

Medications and treatments used to relieve nerve pain include:

• OTC analgesics
• Mexiletine (heart medicine)
• Anticonvulsant drugs (for epilepsy)
• Antidepressants
• Local anesthetics
• Braces
• Orthopedic devices
• Surgery, as a last resort

Repairing nerve damage

Pain relief treatments will only block the pain, but they don’t address the underlying condition, and they won’t repair the nerve damage.
If peripheral nerve damage is caught in time, then the nerve cells will heal themselves, but only if the threat is removed or reduced.
Untreated, severe nerve damage may become permanent. Myelin damage could lead to multiple sclerosis (MS), in either your generation or the next.

Enter vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining your myelin sheath, so that your nerve cells come to no harm. Other functions of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) include cognitive health, energy, and red blood cell production.
Vitamin B12 occurs in meat, fish, cheese, and egg products, but even people who eat plenty of beef and dairy products may be at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency. Many factors may inhibit vitamin B12 absorption, like autoimmune disorder, gastrointestinal problems, or simply old age.

Will vitamin B12 cure me?

If you are diagnosed with low levels of vitamin B12, then it is crucial that you get your vitamin B12 levels back to normal, in order to avoid symptoms of prolonged vitamin B12 deficiency, such as severe nerve damage.
If you have been suffering from neuropathy for some time, it might still not be too late to benefit from intense vitamin B12 supplementation. Depending on the extent of nerve damage, a regimen of weekly B12 will aid in nerve cell reparation quickly, efficiently.

http://www.b12patch.com/blog/tag/peripheral-neuropathy/

Coping With Neuropathy Fatigue

LtCol Eugene B Richardson continues to work tirelessly for better awareness of neuropathy and practical methods to alleviate the symptoms. In today's post from neuropathysupportnetwork.org (see link below) he talks about what to do when neuropathy drains all your strength or when your muscles just refuse to play ball. Don't let the military tone put you off - there are many good things to think about here - try to find something that works for you. Meanwhile the Neuropathy Support Network has a great deal of other information if you need it.

Fatigue and Neuropathy

Posted January 3rd, 2012 by LtCol Eugene B Richardson, USA (Retired) BA, MDiv, EdM, MS

PATIENT TO PATIENT – Disclaimer: Patient to Patient articles are intended to be educational, not diagnostic or prescriptive and the patient is encouraged to seek help from their own private physician.

Scott Berman, M.D. (Psychiatrist with CIDP) in his highly recommended book, Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy, How to Handle Stress, Disability, Anxiety, Fatigue, Depression, Pain, and Relationships, states on page 54 that “Fatigue is a fact of life for many neuropathy patients. Often our families and friends fail to appreciate this because ‘we look so good.’ In fact, in one study looking at fatigue in autoimmune neuropathy (“Fatigue in Immune-Mediated Polyneuropathies,” Neurology 53:8 November 1999, I.S.J. Merkies, et al), 80 percent of 113 patients had severe fatigue. The fatigue was independent of motor or sensory symptoms and was rated as one of the top three most disabling symptoms.”

Dr. Berman shares many practical ideas for adjusting to the realities of fatigue and insomnia in neuropathy. He serves as an officer on our Board of Directors and all proceeds from the sale of his book are donated to the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital in Allentown, PA. Scott’s book is noted in the RESOURCE tab of our website and can be ordered from there via www.amazon.com .

For decades now I have, like many of you, struggled with the fact of fatigue as one of the major components of my progressive polyneuropathy and found very little support or insight among too few medical professionals who often were more focused on what was NOT wrong rather than what IS wrong.

Poor medical attitudes toward neuropathy are still a major problem for patients in 2012! In the last two months I went on two major sites dedicated to helping patients and not one of them listed Peripheral Neuropathy as a major illness while more patients suffer from neuropathy than MS which is always listed! Why?

Recently a neuropathy patient struggling to understand the growing chronic fatigue shared his neurologists’ response and dismissive attitude as the doctor said, “take a nap” and then walked out. He asked, “Is this how far we have come in twenty years?”

So, what have I found works for me in dealing with the daily bouts of physical and mental fatigue?

FIRST, the importance of AFFIRMATION: No secret that I enjoy watching reruns of the Golden Girls TV show. Even my young grandson’s enjoy watching the humor which springs from the ordinary events of life Humor is one of the best foods for coping. Humor helps the body heal. This show brought great humor into my life with neuropathy. Then I discovered two special episodes on the recorded disc from season five. The two episodes are titled; “Sick and Tired” done in two parts, each one 30 minutes in length.

IDEA: Support group leaders and liaisons should consider using them to draw patients to support groups for discussion of the issues noted! ADVERTISE: Hear the Golden Girls on Fatigue, Failed Diagnosis and Humor at our Next Neuropathy Support Group Meeting!

You not only will enjoy the humor, but you will identify with Bea as she struggles to get a diagnosis for her chronic fatigue symptoms and an affirmation for her illness. You will identify with her mental pain when dismissed by one neurologist. You will celebrate the joy because of the healing provided by her supportive family doctor. Especially important is the scene at the end of part 2, when Bea finds a very ‘professional way’ to get her point across to the neurologist. Neuropathy patients will not feel so alone and may discover a way to laugh while watching a role model of how to respond to the dismissing doctor! If you are a neuropathy patient, you will identify and understand the emotional dynamics and you may find some healing humor to boot!

SECOND, don’t fight fatigue or apologize for it, as you are guilty of nothing. Fatigue is a real part of your neuropathy and you and your family deserve support while finding ways to live with it by adjusting your activities or discovering ways to decrease it.

THIRD, take rest periods during the day. I have found that it is not so important to go completely asleep as it is to just let your damaged sensory and/or motor nerves rest and not struggle even if for only 30 minutes.

FOURTH, I have just learned something that Dr. Latov suggests for reducing the symptoms of autonomic neuropathy and the digestive symptoms that often accompany, for example,the alternating symptoms of constipation and diarehea. REDUCE CARBS in your diet. I have discovered if I eat a breads, pancakes, waffles, and pasta, my exhaustion is WORSE especially after eating. Makes sense as blood goes to stomach to help digestion. But by reducing carbs and focusing on fruits and salads I reduce these symptoms of autonomic neuropathy, along with the fatique, especially after meals and it helped me feel a bit stronger all day!

FIFTH, if your breathing is a factor in sleeping, for whatever reason, have a sleep study done. I need to use a BIPAP machine. The neurologist explained to me that my neuropathy was affecting the nerves that help the muscles around my chest support breathing and for years I woke up with severe headaches due to lack of oxygen when I intermittently stopped breathing at night.

SIXTH, Dr. Berman’s book speaks about the factor of insomnia and I highly recommend his book and read what he shares. Between living with strong medications and pain at night, it is not surprising that neuropathy patients may be sleep deprived just when they need sleep the most. There are topical creams for any burning pain at night and solutions for the leg cramps that neuropathy patients often experience.

SEVENTH, you must continue to advocate for a DIAGNOSIS and FINDING THE CAUSE for your neuropathy. Do NOT permit a diagnosis of “idiopathic neuropathy”. Armed with your history and the testing that is available, the doctor can provide a diagnosis on the type and effects of the neuropathy, which often point in the direction of the cause. Having carried the unhelpful diagnosis of idiopathic neuropathy for decades, while my peripheral nerves where being damaged and eventually destroyed, this diagnosis only means that one needs to look further!

http://neuropathysupportnetwork.org/blog/2012/01/fatigue-and-neuropathy/

A Good Description Of What Neuropathic Symptoms Are

This is a very good article for those who are experiencing neuropathy for the first time, or are confused as to what's happening to them. It comes from weightlosslasvegasnv.com (see link below) and explains what you're feeling in terms that everyone will understand. It suggests following up at the end, by reading up on the subject. You will find many other articles to do just that, in the alphabetical list to the right of this blog.

What does it mean to have neuropathy in my feet?

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

Is this something you’ve experienced? You or someone you know starts suffering from numbness or discomfort on their feet or hands that doesn’t ever completely disappear no matter what they do. In some instances it’s like having your toes fall asleep. Other times it feels like fine needles, or maybe the feet slowly just go numb. The doc says you have PN, or Peripheral Neuropathy. Tens of millions of other people in the country have it too.

If the doctor says you have PN and you are seeking to figure out precisely what all means, the main thing you have to keep in mind is the that PN is a group of symptoms; it’s not a disease. Perhaps an example will help. If you can’t stay asleep, the physician will say you have got insomnia; this is the medical term for not being able to sleep. Even so you might have insomnia for a dozen totally different reasons: you might have bad discomfort from a ankle sprain, or perhaps you have migraines. Perhaps the people across the street just play their music too loud. Maybe your dog barks too much. Lots of things can keep you from being able to sleep. Whatever might cause it, the word “insomnia” doesn’t actually explain what’s wrong with you; it only describes what the end result is. In the same manner, neuropathy describes the end result of damage to your nerves, but it doesn’t explain what’s happening to cause all of the trouble.

Your central nervous system has been injured, and there are lots of things which may be causing the harm. Often in the United States it is the result of being diabetic, but like the inability to stay asleep could have a thousand various triggers, Neuropathy can have thousands of triggers also. As an example, one of the largest causes of Peripheral Neuropathy (the kind of nerve damage that you experience in your hands and feet) in Africa is leprosy. It’s even common for many to have some type of neuropathy as a side-effect of surgery.

In countries in Europe greater than two-and-a-half percent of middle-aged folks have it, and those figures rise to around 8.5 percent as people age. It’s a difficulty that tends never to go away because most of the underlying illnesses that cause it generally get worse as time goes by. In addition, as you may have learned from hearing about people who have spinal-cord injuries, injuries to the neurological system times will not recover or heal in the same way as other wounds heal.

So why the feet? Why get neuropathy there instead of some other place? Because the nerve fibers to the feet are the longest nerves in the human body. Any illness that slowly hurts all of your nerve fibers will emerge first inside your feet, simply because they have the longest nerves.
On the positive side, many of the fundamental issues that give you PN (except a handful) usually are not contagious or genetic. So it is not something you could give to other folks like you would the flu or a runny nose.

Peripheral Neuropathy doesn’t really have any special diet that fixes it, but diets and medications can definitely help. Bear in mind that diabetes is a leading reason for neuropathy. There have been numerous studies proving the benefits of diet regimes and weight-loss effects on diabetes. The on-line world is filled with accounts about folks using specialized diets to shed pounds and drive back diabetes. Several people report good results with neuropathy in feet along these lines.

There are some easy things you can try right away if you have neuropathy in your feet. Check into special sneakers. Try receiving a therapeutic massage. Mostly, get assistance. There are professionals in neuropathy that you can see and organizations where people trade what works and what doesn’t and explore various things that can help them manage.

However you got here, you need to get in gear and get moving. Take some action. Neuropathy in feet and the other extremities is a lot more serious than a runny nose or a stumped toe. You must give it some serious attention. PN may get even more serious if the primary illness worsens. It is entirely possible that it could lead to amputations perhaps even death if you continue to ignore it. Determine what the root disorder is and receive treatment for that. Take some easy steps and put yourself on the path to making the biggest difference you can in your life.

There are lots of sites on the net to learn more about neuropathy in feet. There may be many types of neuropathy in feet legs, but there are even more underlying illnesses. I wish you luck in your efforts to learn more.

http://weightlosslasvegasnv.com/what-does-it-mean-to-have-neuropathy-in-my-feet/

Ayurvedic Advice For Neuropathy

Several people have asked if there are any alternative treatments for neuropathy that come from Eastern medicine. Apart from acupuncture (which is discussed in other posts - see list on the right), there are also Ayurvedic views on the subject.
Today's post from generalhealthcarenews.blogspot.com(see link below) talks about these and offers some interesting advice. I can't pretend to recognise many of the Ayurvedic techniques but I assume people who are already familiar with this branch of medicine will. The article urges consultation with your doctor and as that is a basic premise of this blog, it's advice worth following, whatever the treatment you decide to try. People who have tried many things to help their neuropathic problems will also know the value of keeping an open mind.

Alternative treatments for peripheral neuropathy

Tuesday, 17 July 2012

When the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord are damaged they result in a set of symptoms called Neuropathy, since such nerves are referred to as peripheral nerves the condition is also known as peripheral neuropathy.

Patients present themselves with classical symptoms like tingling sensation in the feet and hands, there are times when frank injury occurs and the patient does not feel the pain.

People who are risks for these could have any one of the conditions or behaviour patterns. Like diabetics with poor sugar controls, people with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, people who have received organ transplants, alcoholics, and people with Vitamin B6 deficiency are also high risks.

There are also conditions of occupational disease like carpal tunnel syndrome in computer workers, or people using clutches or growth compressing the nerve.Hypothyroidism or decreased efficiency of the thyroid is another common cause for neuropathy.

Neuropathies are treated by relieving pain in non-depressed patients. Sometimes anticonvulsants are used too in peripheralneuropathy treatments. As they function blocking the calcium channels. In extreme cases opiods have been given but by and large they are avoided as they can cause addiction.

Though alternate therapies have worked wonders, they should be adopted only after discussion with the physician.

Cannabinoids or a class of chemicals found in marijuana, Botulium Toxin better known as Botox, dietary supplements like alpha lipoic and benfotaimine, chiropractic massages, yoga, meditation, congnitive therapy and accupunture all play a role.All forms of therapy focus on treating or eliminating the root cause and managing the presenting symptom.

The Ayurvedic Vaidya would treat neuropathy in general as vatadosha or the imbalance of wind energy. In the case of nutritional induced neuropathy dietary counselling is done, while alcoholism is treated by a procedure called Vamana Karma or expelling the toxins through the mouth. The exact material and methodology depends on the patients, this is then followed up with oral medications like Vistindhuk vati and other medhya drugs.

When the neuropathy is hypothyroidism induced, then medicines like Chandraprabha vati, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Arogya-Vardhini, Chandraprabha-Vati, Maha-Manjishthadi Qwath, Kachnaar-Guggulu, Brahmi-Guggulu, Triphala-Guggulu and Medohar-Guggulu are prescribed, along with panchakarma treatments like virechana, niruha and anuvasan basti, and nasyam

Yoga on the other hand would deal with alleviating the pain.

Trauma or pressure on the nerves could be due to a cast, use of a crutch, or repetitive movements, it could also be due to a tumour sitting on a nerve. Asanas like sarva anga asana, halasana, suryanamaskara, suptayajrasana are prescribed to overcome alcoholism. Yoga uses inversions to alleviate pain. Senior Iyengar yoga teachers have researched to show that finger and toe exercises help to alleviate neuropathy in the feet. This is performed by threading the fingers between the toes while sitting cross legged, the fingers and toes are spread and stretched to increase circulation and range of motions of the toes. Adhomukha svanasana, Pawanamuktasana are the other asanas adviced.

Vitamin B6 has often been used to treat the occupation triggered carpal tunnel syndrome. Though the exact benefit of this is not known.

Acupuncture and Magnet therapy are also quite popular.

Chiropractic therapies use massages and oils to increase circulation to the affected areas.

Nutritional deficiencies causing neuropathy might occur independently or as an off shoot of diabetes or alcoholism. Here the nutritional substitute is given. The diet chart includes milk, rice, barley, Bengal gram, moong dal and cucumber in adequate quantities. Coconut oil is suggested as the medium of cooking to improve metabolism.

No matter what the treatment, opted for it should be done in consent with the attending physician and followed through meticulously.

http://generalhealthcarenews.blogspot.nl/2012/07/alternative-treatments-for-peripheral.html

Neuropathy Drug Treatment - An Assessment (2012)

Today's post comes from drmarcspitz.com (see link below), who regular readers of this blog may be familiar with. He is a podiatrist from California who always talks sense about neuropathy and gives a totally unbiased and non-commercial view of the topic at hand. This article sums up the current main drug-treatment approaches to neuropathy and is a good guide to how and why these drugs are used. His advice to talk any treatment over with your doctor is very important - these drugs are not M & M's.

Treating Neuropathy with Neurontin, Lyrica or Cymbalta-the Pros and Cons

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 13th, 2012

Read any medical journal or peruse any medical friendly websites, it seems that the three most consistently recommended medications for the treatment peripheral neuropathy are Neurontin, Lyrica or Cymbalata. You would think these drugs are the wonder drugs for neuropathy-this not quite accurate. Actually there are many drawback to these medications-let’s take a closer look.

Neurontin-The #1 prescribed medication for neuropathy

Neurontin is commonly prescribed medication for neuropathy pain-that is neuropathy in the feet.
Neurontin (generic name is gabapentin) is an oral medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of seizure for patients who have epilepsy. Gabapentin is classified as an anticovulsant medication. It is also indicated to help relive nerve pain associated with shingles (also called postherpetic neuralgia). While this medication is one of the most prescribed, it was a not developed as a primary treatment for any type of peripheral neuropathy.
There are many side effects associated with the drug with most being, drowsiness, memory problems, lethargy and a sensation of fogginess.” There are many other side effects as well including, allergic reaction, dizziness, headache to name just a few. Is it effective in reducing neuropathy pain?-the verdict is not out. There are wide variety of reported results-however in some studies Neurontin has been reported to be effective less than 50% of the time.

Lyrica-The New Neurontin

Lyrica is chemically related to Neurontin.. It also has been approved by the FDA for diabetic neuropathy-any of use of Lyrica to reduce neuropathy pain other than diabetes is called “off-label.” It is also prescribed for other conditions including pain form shingles (postherpetic neuralgia), fibromyalgia and as adjunctive therapy (meaning working in combination with other medications). It will not restore feeling in the foot nor will it restore damaged nerves.

Cymbalta- #3 but closing fast

Cymbalta is an antideoressant medication. It is used to treat major depressive disorders and general anxiety disorder. It is in the category of antidepressants called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors—SSNRI’s. Cymbalta has also been approved by the FDA to manage pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It is used “off label” to treat other types of neuropathy pain.
Like the other medications mentioned, Cymbalta will not reverse damage but may reduce neuropathy pain. It will not restore feeling in the foot.
Cymbalta will not reverse damage but may reduce pain caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Side effects include drowsiness, weight gain, nausea constipation or diarrhea, dry mouth sleep disturbances among many others.

Should I take any of these drugs for my neuropathy?
Great question and there is no right answer. You have to weigh the benefits versus side effects. Some of my patients relate that the adverse effects of these drugs are actually as a bad or worse than the neuropathy pain. Talk to your physician before starting any of these medications and express your concerns. A word of caution-do not stop taking any of these medications without informing your doctor as sudden withdrawal can lead to seizures.

http://drmarcspitz.com/blog/2012/05/13/treating-neuropathy-with-neurontin-lyrica-or-cymbalta-the-pros-and-cons/

Neuropathy As A Result Of Chemotherapy

Unfortunately, more and more HIV patients are getting various forms of cancer as they live longer. It's possible that you may suffer from neuropathic problems shortly after the chemotherapy treatment. This article from the mayoclinic.com (see link below) is another one explaining the why's and wherefore's of why this happens but is also helpful in outlining what to look out for and what you may expect.

Living with cancer blog

June 10, 2010
Peripheral neuropathy — Managing the side effects of chemotherapy
By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.

Many of you have written in through this blog and mentioned you're dealing with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy as a result of chemotherapy treatment.

Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to nerves, most commonly the sensory nerves (nerves that sense touch, heat or pain). As chemotherapy travels throughout the body to target and kill cancer cells, it can also cause damage to the nerve cells.
Certain chemotherapy drugs are more often linked to peripheral neuropathy; these include the platinum-based drugs, taxanes, epothilones, and plant alkaloid drugs, as well as Thalidomide and Bortezomib. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can begin any time after treatment is started and can worsen as treatment continues.
The most common symptoms include:

• Pain, burning or tingling in fingers, toes, hands and feet
• Loss of sensation to touch
• Difficulty picking things up or buttoning clothes
• Weakness, cramping or pain in hands and/or feet
• Sensitivity to temperature extremes
• Muscle weakness and balance problems
• Constipation
• Decreased reflexes

You may be at higher risk for developing peripheral neuropathy if you have pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, alcoholism, malnutrition, vitamin B deficiencies, or have had previous chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.
Symptoms may appear the to be the strongest just after your chemotherapy treatment, and can last until 3-5 months after treatment has been completed. Symptoms may lessen over time, but it's a gradual process that requires several months to resolve.
Unfortunately, in some cases, the damage is irreversible and may not diminish in intensity. It's important to report any symptoms of neuropathy to your cancer doctor during and after treatment. Discuss with your doctor the options for rest periods from chemotherapy, dose reduction or delays in treatment to lessen your symptoms.
Comfort measures that may help relieve symptoms include:

• Splinting and protecting affected area
• Massage, physical therapy, and acupuncture
• Relaxation therapy
• Use of vitamins, especially B vitamins (B-1, B-6, and B-12). Ask your health care provider about dosing. Vitamin E and niacin are also important to nerve health.
• Gentle laxatives for constipation
• Prescribed medication such as steroids, lidocaine patches, capsaicin creams, anti-depressants, anti-seizure medications, and pain medications

Some practical tips to consider if you have symptoms of peripheral neuropathy:

• Protect your hands and feet where sensation is decreased (wear good footwear and protect from injury).
• Be aware of temperature changes, such as extreme cold or hot (check water temperature of your shower and bath water, use gloves when doing housework).
• Always check for any cuts, abrasions, burns and injury to hands and feet.
• Don't drink alcohol; this may make symptoms worse over time.
• Use handrails, canes and other assistive devices if needed for balance.

Peripheral neuropathy symptoms are challenging to deal with and can affect your quality of life significantly. Ask your doctor or nurse for ideas and suggestions to help relieve symptoms. Use this blog to discuss your strategies for dealing with the problem of peripheral neuropathy.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chemotherapy-neuropathy/MY01327

Vitamin B12 Essential For Neuropathic Health

More and more doctors are checking neuropathy patients for vitamin B deficiency and in particular B12. Today's post from hellolife.net (see link below) looks at the value of vitamin B12 in preserving the health of your nervous system. More than this, it explains what B12 does and why it is necessary. It may be worth discussing this subject with your doctor, HIV specialist and/or neurologist. If you have HIV then B12 also helps support the immune system. It is worth remembering that you also need Folic acid tablets to aid B12 absorption but many B12 supplements will have folic acid 'built in'. However, like anything else, too much can be bad for you - advice needed!

A Healthy Nervous System and Vitamin B12

By HelloLife

Vitamin B12: An Overview

Vitamin B12 is necessary for the maintenance of a healthy nervous system, as it is a necessary cofactor for the production of healthy red blood cells. The human body is capable of storing vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 and Blood Cell Production

Vitamin B12 is associated with blood cell production. Cell division requires the synthesis of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). B12 is a necessary cofactor for this synthesis. DNA synthesis is especially essential in areas of the body where blood cells are required to divide rapidly. This rapid division is particularly necessary in the bone marrow tissues where red blood cells are formed. Red blood cells, scientifically referred to as erythrocytes, are comprised mainly of hemoglobin. Red blood cells are common throughout the body, responsible for the proper delivery of oxygen through the blood stream to the tissues. Hemoglobin is primarily responsible for the binding of the oxygen molecules to the red blood cells.

Vitamin B12 and a Healthy Nervous System

Vitamin B12 is associated with the maintenance of a healthy immune system. Myelin, a complex protein, is found wrapped around nerves as an insulation. It is responsible for the protection and aids in maintaining proficient speeds of nerve signaling. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the proper sustainment of myelin, as it is required for the metabolism of fatty acids associated with myelin production. Alzheimers disease and dementia have been associated with low levels of vitamin B12.

How Much Vitamin B12 Do I Need?

Both male and female adults have approximately the same requirement for daily intake of vitamin B12 of 2.4 micrograms. This varies based on the individual and their particular needs. Children require smaller amounts of vitamin B12.

Foods Rich in Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is commonly found in many foods, particularly organ meats, mollusks, fish and nuts. The preparation of foods is an important consideration for vitaminB12 levels, as it is common for cooking to significantly decrease amounts. The following is a list of foods that provide abundant amounts of vitamin B-12. Listed are the names, the amounts, and the micrograms ingested.

• Steamed Clams, 3 ounces, 134 micrograms
• 1 Slice Beef Liver, 3 ounces, 95 micrograms
• Steamed Oysters, 3 ounces, 77 micrograms
• Steamed Octopus, 3 ounces, 44 micrograms
• 1 Leg Steamed Crab, 8 ounces, 24 microgram
• Grilled Bluefin Tuna, 3 ounces, 12 microgram

Vitamin B12 Deficiencies and Toxicity

Deficiencies in vitamin B12 are cause for disruption of the required efficiency of rapid DNA synthesis causing abnormalities. Deficiencies in vitamin B12 are associated with adults over the age of 60. This typically results in a condition known as anemia. Anemia is a deficiency in levels of red blood cells within the system. It is associated with several distinct signs and symptoms; loss of breath, extreme tiredness, and autoimmune disorders (decreased ability to fight and prevent infection). Deficiencies in vitamin B12 lasting for extended periods of time are associated with neurological symptoms, such as degeneration of the nerves, which is typically irreversible. Toxicity associated with vitamin B12 is extremely rare.

Sources:
 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-B12/NS_patient-vitaminb12

http://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamin-b12-15239

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminB12/

 http://www.hellolife.net/neuropathy/b/a-healthy-nervous-system-and-vitamin-b12/