Most Of What You Need To Know About Neuropathy

Today's post from medicalnewstoday.com (see link below), is another general post about neuropathy designed to help people new to the disease, or those close to them, understand what's happening to them when the strange and debilitating symptoms start. Like many of these articles, it's not 100% conclusive but it is generally accurate and provides a great deal of useful information. My advice is always to read two or three of this type of article (check the list to the right of the blog, or use the search button) and then you will get a comprehensive overview of neuropathy and its treatment. Going to the doctor already forewarned and forearmed is always a plus, both for yourself and your doctor - it saves valuable time and can get you the right treatment more quickly (plus, most doctors really appreciate a patient who has done his or her research!) Well worth a read - even for experienced nerve damage patients.
 

Peripheral neuropathy: Symptoms, causes, and treatment
Last updated Fri 28 July 2017 By Dr Helen Webberley
Reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, PhD, MSN, CRNA, COI


Peripheral neuropathy refers to a problem with the peripheral nerves, which transmit messages from the central nervous system, the brain and the spinal cord, to the rest of the body.

The peripheral nerves tell the body when, for example, the hands are cold. It can lead to tingling, prickling, numbness, and muscle weakness in various parts of the body.

Peripheral neuropathy can affect a range of different nerves, so it can impact a variety of locations in different ways. It can affect only one nerve, or several nerves at the same time.

It is also associated with a number of different underlying medical conditions. Sometimes there is no identifiable cause.

It affects some 20 million people in the United States (U.S.).

Fast facts on peripheral neuropathy

Here are some key points about peripheral neuropathy. More detail is in the main article.
Neuropathy is a common complication of a number of different medical conditions.
It can involve the autonomic nerves, the motor nerves, and the sensory nerves.
Sometimes a single nerve, or nerve set is affected, for example, in Bell's Palsy, which affects a facial nerve.
Physical trauma, repetitive injury, infection, metabolic problems, and exposure to toxins and some drugs are all possible causes.
People with diabetes have a high risk of neuropathy. 

What is neuropathy?

Over 100 types of neuropathy have been identified, each with its own causes and symptoms.

Neuropathy can affect the: 
 
Sensory nerves: These nerves control sensation, and damage can cause tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the feet and hands.
Motor nerves: These nerves allow power and movement, and damage can cause weakness in the feet and hands.
Autonomic nerves: These nerves control body systems such as the digestive or cardiovascular system. Damage can affect the heart rate, blood pressure, and other functions.

Mononeuropathy involves a single nerve.

Examples include: 
 
postherpetic neuralgia, which can follow shingles. Sensory neuropathy can last for many months after the rash disappears.
ulnar nerve palsy, following an injury to the elbow
carpel tunnel syndrome, a compression of the nerves in the wrist
peroneal nerve palsy, caused by compression of a nerve in the leg that runs by the neck of the fibular, or the calf bone, between the knee and ankle
Bell's palsy, a single-nerve neuropathy that affects the face

In polyneuropathy, several nerves are affected.

The nervous system is a complex web of communications in which different types of nerves interact. Peripheral neuropathy refers specifically to a malfunction of the peripheral nerves.
Symptoms

Symptoms vary according to the types of neuropathy. 

Sensory neuropathy

The person may have: 
 
tingling and numbness
pins and needles and hypersensitivity
increased pain or inability to feel pain
loss of ability to detect changes in heat and cold
loss of co-ordination and proprioception
burning, stabbing, lancing, boring, or shooting pains, which may be worse at night

It can also lead to foot and leg ulcers, infection, and gangrene. 

Motor neuropathy

This affects the muscles.

Symptoms include: 
 
muscle weakness, leading to unsteadiness and difficulty performing small movements, such as buttoning a shirt.
muscle wasting
muscle twitching and cramps
muscle paralysis

If the autonomic nerves are affected, there may be problems with sweating, heat intolerance, bowel or bladder problems, and changes in blood pressure, leading to dizziness.

Causes

Many types of neuropathy are "idiopathic," or of an unknown cause, but a number of conditions can trigger it.

Diabetes is the most common cause of chronic peripheral neuropathy. It happens when high blood sugar levels damage the nerves.

Other medical conditions and injuries include: 
 
Chronic kidney disease: if the kidneys are not functioning normally, an imbalance of salts and chemicals can cause peripheral neuropathy.
Injuries: Broken bones and tight plaster casts can put pressure directly on the nerves.
Infections: Shingles, HIV infection, Lyme disease, and others can lead to nerve damage.
Guillain-Barré syndrome: This is a specific type of peripheral neuropathy, triggered by infection.
Some autoimmune disorders: These include rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Other causes include: 
 
excessive alcohol intake
some drugs, for example, chemotherapy and HIV treatment
B12 or folate vitamin deficiencies
poisons, such as insecticides and solvents
some kinds of cancer, including lymphoma and multiple myeloma
chronic liver disease

Disorders of the small blood vessels can reduce blood supply to the nerves, resulting in nerve tissue damage.

Neuromas, benign tumors that affect nerve tissue, can lead to neuropathic pain.
Diabetic neuropathy

The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. Around 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some degree of neuropathy.

High blood sugar levels cause damage to the walls of the tiny blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves in the ends of the hands and feet, and the essential organs in the body, such as the eyes, kidneys, and heart.

As a result, not only does the skin becomes damaged, but the loss of sensation further increases the risk of damage.

In the U.S., diabetic neuropathy is the main cause of foot problems and ulcers in people with diabetes. Around half of all people with diabetes are believed to have diabetic neuropathy.

Diagnosis

The doctor will examine the patient and ask about their personal and family medical history, including recent injuries, use of medications, and possible exposure to toxins.

The physical examination will include checking: 

the skin
the pulses
sensation
vibration sensation
tendon reflexes

Nerve conduction studies may be carried out. These check the speed with which nerves send messages.

Special electrodes are placed on the skin over the nerve being tested. These electrodes give off very small electrical impulses that feel a bit like a small electric shock. They stimulate the nerve. The speed at which the nerve reacts is measured.

If the patient has peripheral neuropathy, this speed is reduced.

Electromyography looks at the electrical activity of the muscles.

A very thin needle with an electrode attached is inserted through the skin into a muscle. This is connected up to a recording machine called an oscilloscope. This device records and measures how the muscle responds when it is stimulated by nerves.

In a patient with peripheral neuropathy, the electrical activity will be abnormal.

Nerve biopsy involves removing a small part of a nerve to examine it under a microscope. A skin biopsy can also be used to examine the peripheral nerves.

A biopsy can help detect early peripheral neuropathy, and it can monitor progression of neuropathy and any response to treatment by measuring the density of fibers in a nerve, among other things.

Treatment and prevention

Treatment either targets the underlying cause, or it aims to provide symptomatic pain relief and prevent further damage.

In the case of diabetic neuropathy, addressing high blood sugars can prevent further nerve damage.

For toxic causes, removing the exposure to a suspected toxin, or stopping a drug, can halt further nerve damage.

Medications can relieve pain and reduce burning, numbness, and tingling. Some home remedies, such as applying warm or cold packs or topical ointments, can also help.
Drug treatment for neuropathic pain

Medications that may help include: 
 
Drugs normally used for epilepsy, such as carbamazepine
Antidepressants, such as venlafaxine
Opioid painkillers, for example, oxycodone or tramadol

Opioid painkillers come with warnings about safety risks.

Duloxetine may help people with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.

Doctors can also prescribe skin patches, such as Lidoderm, for temporary, localized pain relief. This contains the local anesthetic lidocaine. The patches are like bandages and it can be cut to size.

The choice of drug should take into account medications for other conditions, to avoid unwanted interactions. 

Managing neuropathy

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may help control pain. These are available over the counter.

Some people find that using a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine helps. This device interrupts nerve messages by delivering a small electric current. Its effectiveness has not been confirmed by research.

Capsaicin 0.075 percent cream, containing chilli pepper, may ease pain. Patches are also available.

Non-drug measures include: 

wearing fabrics that do not irritate, such as cotton
covering sensitive areas with a plastic wound dressing or cling film
using cold packs, unless the problem is worsened by cold

Stress-relief and other complementary therapies include meditation, relaxation techniques, massage, and acupuncture.

Any supplements should first be discussed with a doctor. 

Treatment of mononeuropathies

When neuropathy is caused by compression of a single nerve, treatment is similar whichever nerve is involved. The approach depends on whether the compression is fixed or transient.

A palsy of the ulnar, radial, or peroneal nerve may be transient and reversible, simply by avoiding the cause of the nerve compression. For example, a person with ulnar nerve palsy should not lean on the affected elbow.

The patient may be advised to rest and to use heat and a limited course of drugs to reduce inflammation.

In carpal tunnel syndrome, conservative therapy includes splinting the wrist, oral or injected corticosteroid drugs, and ultrasound.

If a single-nerve neuropathy does not respond to these measures, surgery may be an option. Surgery may also be necessary if the nerve compression is fixed, for example when caused by a tumor.

Referral to specialist pain services or a relevant clinical specialty should be considered at any stage if:

pain is severe
pain significantly limits daily activities and quality of life
an underlying health condition is getting worse 

Prognosis

The outlook for peripheral neuropathy varies, depending on the underlying cause, and which nerves have been damaged.

Some cases may improve with time if the underlying cause is treated, but in others, the damage may be permanent or gradually worse with time.

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