Understanding Peripheral Neuropathy

Oct 17, 2024

Peripheral Neuropathy Lecture Notes

Definition

  • Peripheral Neuropathy: General term for disease affecting peripheral nerves (nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord).
  • Impact: Impairs sensation, movement, gland, or organ function depending on affected nerves.

Types of Neuropathy

  • Motor Neuropathy: Affects motor nerves, leading to issues like muscle weakness.
  • Sensory Neuropathy: Affects sensory nerves causing numbness, tingling, or pain.
  • Autonomic Neuropathy: Affects autonomic nerves impacting involuntary functions such as blood pressure and bladder control.
  • Can affect multiple types of nerves simultaneously.

Characteristics

  • Acute or Chronic: Can be sudden or develop over time; reversible or permanent.
  • Mononeuropathy: Affects a single nerve.
  • Polyneuropathy: Symmetrical affliction of nerves in similar areas on both sides of the body.
  • Mononeuritis Multiplex: Multiple separate nerves in different areas of the body are affected.

Causes

  • Systemic Diseases
  • Hyperglycemia-Induced Glycation: Damage due to high blood sugar levels.
  • Vitamin Deficiency
  • Medication Side Effects
  • Traumatic Injuries: Includes ischemia and radiation therapy.
  • Excessive Alcohol Consumption
  • Immune System Diseases
  • Colic Disease & Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
  • Viral Infections
  • Genetic or Idiopathic Origins

Symptoms

  • Painful Cramps and Fasciculations
  • Muscle Loss and Bone Degeneration
  • Changes in Skin, Hair, and Nails
  • Motor Symptoms:
    • Impaired balance and coordination
    • Muscle weakness
  • Sensory Symptoms:
    • Numbness to touch and vibration
    • Reduced position sense
    • Tingling or burning pain
    • Reduced temperature sensitivity
    • Skin allodynia (pain from stimuli which do not normally provoke pain)
  • Autonomic Symptoms:
    • Poor bladder control
    • Abnormal blood pressure or heart rate
    • Reduced sweating ability

Summary

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition with diverse causes and symptoms, affecting various types of nerves leading to significant impact on a person's sensation, movement, and autonomic functions. Early diagnosis and treatment can influence outcomes, making awareness and understanding crucial.