Information From Your Health Care Provider

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

(Peripheral Neuritis)

Basic information

description

Peripheral neuropathy is a term used for disorders (e.g., damaged nerves) of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This system is made up of nerves that branch out of the spinal cord and go to all parts of the body. The symptoms often affect fingers, toes, hands, feet, lower arms, or legs, and also bladder or bowel control. There are three types of PNS nerves with different functions:

Sensory (feeling pain, temperature, and touch).
Motor (voluntary movement as with the muscles).
Autonomic (involuntary functions, such as breathing, blood pressure, sexual function, and digestion).

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Sensory nerve symptoms: Burning, tingling, numbness, or cold feeling in arm or leg. Painless injuries. Over sensitive to touch. Loss of feeling.
Motor nerve symptoms: Difficulty using hands to hold something or to write or button clothes. Tripping or problem lifting foot or toes. Problems using stairs or rising up from a chair. Knees give away and cause falls.
Autonomic nerve symptoms: Unusual sweating, dizziness upon standing, urinary changes, or constipation. Men or women may have sexual problems.

causes

Damage may be from nerve destruction, pressure, or degeneration. The damage may be to one nerve or nerve group. Nerves become damaged due to a number of causes. Sometimes, no cause is found.

risk increases with

Adults over 60.
Diabetes or shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia).
Exposure to certain chemicals or toxic substances.
Certain drugs.
Poor nutrition (not eating a healthy diet).
Alcoholism.
Family history of neuropathies.
Nerve disorders, nerve injury, or pressure on nerves.
Autoimmune disorder or connective tissue disease.
Infections, kidney or liver failure, and some cancers.
Bone fractures or ruptured disk.
Some hereditary disorders.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

None specific. Avoid risk factors where possible.

expected outcomes

Mild cases may be cured if nerve damage is limited and the underlying cause is diagnosed and treated. More severe cases may be incurable, but treatment can often help symptoms improve.

possible complications

Complications can cause chronic pain, disability, and may sometimes be life-threatening.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and activities. Medical tests may be done to discover any underlying medical disorder.
The most important aspect of treatment is to identify any underlying cause and, if possible, treat it.
Other treatments may include drugs, physical and occupational therapy, diet and exercise, assistive devices, relaxation techniques (such as biofeedback training), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), surgery to relieve pressure, and others.
Your health care provider will discuss your diagnosis and a specific treatment plan with you. No one plan works for everyone.
For self-care: Inspect hands and feet daily for unnoticed wounds. Keep feet clean and toenails trimmed properly. Wear shoes that fit well. Take measures to make your home a safe place for you.

medications

For minor pain, use nonprescription ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Other pain drugs may be prescribed.
A variety of drugs can be used to treat the symptoms. Your health care provider will discuss the options and the risks and benefits.
Drugs to treat underlying disorder may be prescribed.

activity

Physical therapy and exercises to do at home may be recommended. If you have difficulty maintaining balance, walk with a cane or other support.