Neuropathy

An assortment of neuronal pathological conditions that occur as a consequence of trauma, infections, metabolic disorders, or exposure to toxins that induce injury to the nerve axons of the peripheral nervous system. Neuropathy typically induces pain and numbness in the affected area.


Diabetic complication that involves peripheral and autonomic nervous system.


A disease of the central or peripheral nervous systems. In more common reference, a neuropathy is primarily a disorder of peripheral nerves. CNS diseases are often life threatening; neuropathies are generally disorders of the control and sensory nerves out in the body.


An abnormality of the nerves, which is caused by damage or pressure that can produce pain, numbness, tingling, or burning sensations. So-called peripheral neuropathies commonly occur in the arms, legs, hands, or feet.


A disease involving destruction of the tissues of the nervous system.


Any abnormal condition of the peripheral nerves.


Disease of nerve tissue; may occur as a result of other illness such as diabetes mellitus.


Disease, inflammation, or damage to any of the peripheral nerves that carry messages between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. The peripheral nervous system includes all nerves not in the brain or spinal cord. Neuropathy typically involves damage or injury to nerve cell axons (the conducting fibers that make up nerves) or the myelin sheaths that protect them. Neuropathy is not a specific disease, but a condition associated with many disorders, including vitamin and dietary deficiencies, diabetes, and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection.


Any disease of the peripheral nerves, usually causing weakness and numbness. In a mononeuropathy a single nerve is affected and the extent of the symptoms depends upon the distribution of that nerve. In a polyneuropathy many or all of the nerves are involved and the symptoms are most profound at the extremities of the limbs.


A disease affecting nerves. It may affect a single nerve (mononeuropathy) or be a generalized disorder (polyneuropathy). Symptoms will depend on whether motor, sensory, or autonomic nerves are affected. Trauma or entrapment of a nerve is a common cause of mononeuropathy, pressure or stretching of a nerve occurring in various situations. Complete recovery in 4—6 weeks is usual. Common causes of polyneuropathy include diabetes mellitus, vitamin B deficiency (often alcohol-associated) and some viral infections. Genetic and toxic neuropathies are also seen.


A disease or disorder that affects the nerves. Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, and/or burning.


A disorder impacting the nerves that provide innervation to the upper and lower extremities. Typically, the initial manifestations manifest in the feet and hands. In instances where sensory nerves are affected, noticeable symptoms include numbness, tingling, and pain. On the other hand, when motor nerves are affected, the individual may experience weakness.


A condition involving inflammation, disease, or injury to the peripheral nerves, linking the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to muscles, glands, sensory organs, and internal organs. Nowadays, the terms “neuritis” and “neuropathy” are often used interchangeably.


The majority of nerve cell axons, which are the transmitting fibers forming nerves, are protected by a fatty substance called myelin. Most neuropathies stem from harm or irritation to either the axons or their myelin coverings. This can result in the delay or total interruption of nerve signal transmission.


Neuropathies are classified based on the location and pattern of the damage. Distal neuropathy, for instance, begins with damage at the extremity of a nerve, the point furthest from the brain or spinal cord. Symmetrical neuropathy involves nerves similarly on both sides of the body. Other neuropathies are named after their root causes, such as diabetic neuropathy, entrapment neuropathy, or alcoholic neuropathy.


Polyneuropathy, also termed polyneuritis, denotes damage to multiple nerves, while mononeuropathy, or mononeuritis, signifies damage to just one nerve. Neuralgia is a term used to describe pain stemming from the irritation or inflammation of a specific nerve.


Some instances of neuropathy arise without a clear reason. Recognizable causes include diabetes mellitus, nutritional shortages (especially of B vitamins), excessive alcohol intake, and metabolic disturbances like uraemia. Additional sources can be Hansen’s disease (leprosy), lead poisoning, or the toxic effects of drug overdose.


In some cases, nerves can become inflamed rapidly following a viral infection, as seen in Guillain-Barré syndrome. Autoimmune disorders, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or polyarteritis nodosa, can also lead to neuropathies. These conditions often involve harm to the blood vessels that nourish the nerves. Neuropathies can also develop due to cancers like lung cancer, as well as lymphomas and leukemias. Additionally, there’s a set of inherited neuropathies, with peroneal muscular atrophy being the most prevalent.


Neuropathy symptoms vary based on whether sensory or motor nerve fibers are primarily affected. Damage to sensory fibers might result in numbness, tingling, cold sensations, and pain, typically beginning in the hands and feet and progressing inward. Motor fiber damage can lead to muscle weakness and atrophy. If the autonomic nervous system’s nerves are affected, symptoms can include blurred vision, reduced or missing sweat production, dizziness, and disruptions in stomach, bowel, bladder, and sexual functions, which can manifest as incontinence and impotence.


Certain neuropathies have specific symptoms; for instance, diabetic neuropathy may lead to intense pain.


To assess the degree of damage, nerve conduction studies and EMG tests, which measure the electrical activity of muscles, are performed. Other diagnostic procedures might include blood tests, MRI scans that generate detailed images of bodily structures, and nerve or muscle biopsies where a tiny tissue sample is taken for microscopic examination.


The treatment focuses on addressing the root cause. For instance, to rectify a nutritional shortfall, vitamin injections might be administered. In individuals with diabetes mellitus, regulating blood sugar levels is crucial to minimize additional nerve damage and encourage healing.


If the cell bodies of the affected nerve cells remain intact, complete recovery from the neuropathy can be achieved.


Any ailment affecting the nervous system.


 

 


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