What is neuropathy?

In spite of the fact that a lot of people in the world are subjected to the disease the greater part of them does not know what neuropathy is. Actually the terminology which is connected with this condition may be very confusing for a common person who has never faced with medical terms and does not have special education. At the same time it is rather useful to know what neuropathy is. This knowledge may help you to find the best way of treatment which will be comfortable and useful exactly for you, also it may help in finding things that may help to reduce symptoms of the disease.

Neuropathy definition: neuropathy is a disease which is associated with the inflammation of the nerves caused by damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. If you ask the doctor “what is neuropathy” he will answer you that this is a condition under which inflammation of the nerves presents. In it turn such inflammation may appear due to several factors. They include metabolic problems, some diseases and traumatic injuries to the nerves. It is important to add that some medications which person use for treating other health problems may cause the appearing of the neuropathy due to their side effects. 

What is peripheral neuropathy? This question is also worth of answering. In fact, very often people use terms “neuropathy” and “peripheral neuropathy” as synonyms. Look at the following definition and you will understand. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition under which nerves of the peripheral nervous system are damaged. This disease may be caused by trauma, injuries, and some diseases. Side-effects of systemic illness may also be considered as possible causes of peripheral neuropathy. This definition is common for lots of dictionaries.

In order to get more information within learning “what is neuropathy” it is worth to know that there exist different types of it. General classification of this disease divides it into three types: mononeuropathy (when a single nerve is affected), multiply monomeuropathy (several nerves are individually affected) and polyneuropathy (generalized involvement of peripheral nerves).

The other classification of neuropathy may take the criterion of the type of onset as the base. In this case types of this disease may be the next: acute (hours or days), subacute (several weeks or a couple of months) and chronic (from several months to years).  The other type of classification of this disease may be called functional one. According to the functional classification it is possible to distinguish the next types of neuropathy: motor, sensory, autonomic and mixed.

In spite of the fact that the modern medicine makes a great step in progress comparing with the previous century, unfortunately in 30% of the disease neuropathy causes are unknown. Such cases are usually called idiopathic. One of the most widely spread reasons which may cause this condition is diabetes. About half of people who suffer from diabetes develop some type of neuropathy. Some other neuropathy causes include trauma of nerves, pressure on them, lack of vitamins (especially B vitamins), some other nutritional problems like poor dietary habits, excessive usage of alcohol, several autoimmune diseases such as arthritis (its rheumatoid type) or lupus, tumors, inherited disorders, some infections and other health problems like kidney and/or liver diseases, Lyme disease, AIDS, HIV. 

Ulnar neuropathy

Ulnar neuropathy is the condition in which the ulnar nerve becomes trapped, it usually happens in the elbow and then in the wrist, because the ulnar nerve itself runs down the length of the arm. As a result of the repetitive stress on the nerve due to the entrapment the nerve becomes inflamed. This illness is usually common for cyclists, typists, or people who have fracture in the elbow region that pressured the nerve.

The symptoms of the ulnar neuropathy include: weakness, numbness, muscle wasting, pins and needles sensation, and pain. The neuropathy implies the nerve injury. Because the ulnar nerve goes through the elbow joint it is also known as the funny bone.

The main cause of the ulnar neuropathy is the nerve damage. Such damage may be a result of the compression of the nerve due to general anesthesia, when the sensation is obliterated, or inflammation due to increased leaning on the elbow, or such deceases as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Malnutrition can also be a part of the cause for ulnar neuropathy. Blows, tumors, impinging of an artery may result in the nerve damage and be responsible for the condition as well.

The symptoms, however, also vary depending on the place of the neuropathy and whether  it is appeared suddenly, in which case it is called acute, or has been there for a long period of time, in which case it is referred to as chronic. Numbness and weakness are present regardless of the kind of the neuropathy; pain is experienced in less than 50% of acute neuropathy cases, and in more than 70% of the people suffering from the chronic one.

There are several types of neuropathy that present danger and are unfortunately common.

One of them is the alcoholic neuropathy. This condition is the nerve damage that has been caused by the excessive alcohol consumption.

Nearly half of heavy alcohol users and people suffering from alcoholism develop this illness.

The symptoms of the alcoholic neuropathy include:

-         Numbness,

-         Pins and needles sensation

-         Pain in arms and legs

-         Muscle weakness

-         Muscle cramps and aches

-         Sensitivity to heat, especially due to exercising

-         Impotence in men

-         Urinating problems

-         Constipation,

-         Diarrhea,

-         Vomiting and nausea

-         Difficulty swallowing

-         Speech disturbance

-         Muscle function disturbance

-         Muscle atrophy

-         Disorders of movement.

Once the alcoholic neuropathy has been identified, it can be treated by controlling the symptoms, and preventing further injury.

Such vitamins as thiamine and folic acid should be included in the diet.

Pain relieving medication may be used, but it is important to not over take it in order to not develop addiction. Physical therapy is a very production treatment of muscle disorders, which are a common symptom of the neuropathy.

The other kind of neuropathy that is the auditory neuropathy, this condition, or in other words, a hearing disorder, means that the signals that should normally be transmitted through the inner ear fail to function due to brain impairment.

The causes of this disorder are not yet clearly identified, but they include a wide range of factors, that vary from different kinds of inner ear damage to the failure in connection between the inner ear and the nerve.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the diabetes caused nerve damage, and it affects arms, hands, legs, and feet.

There are three different nerve groups that can be affected by the diabetic peripheral neuropathy. First of all, these are the sensory nerves. As a result of this, people may experience pain, temperature changes, and other similar sensations.

Secondly, the motor nerves may be impaired. As a result, the muscles may be impaired and such symptoms are loss of muscle control and weakness may be present.

And finally, autonomic nerves are affected. Here such functions as sweating or other involuntary functions are damaged.

The diabetic peripheral neuropathy does not appear suddenly; instead it is used to take time to develop. In fact, people may be diagnosed with the condition even prior to being diagnosed with diabetes. There are several theories as to why the diabetic peripheral neuropathy occurs, and all of them include certain nerve damage.

The diabetic neuropathy symptoms include:

1.      Numbness or tingling sensation in feet and pain or irritating discomfort in feet or legs for sensory neuropathy;

2.      Muscle weakness, loss of muscle tone in feet and lower legs, loss of balance, changes in foot shape for motor neuropathy;

3.      Dry feet and cracked skin for autonomic neuropathy.

In order to diagnose the diabetic peripheral neuropathy the foot and ankle surgeon will perform a number of tests on feet and legs. Such examination will help to determine if there is any damage or impairment in the patient’s reflexes, ability to feel vibration and feel light touch. Additional neurological tests may also be required.

Once the condition is identified, there are several ways of diabetic neuropathy treatment. It is generally advised to starts with the physical treatments. It might be beneficial to change the footwear, and help to deal with discomfort simple analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed.

It is believed that a stable glycemic control is very important, although there have not yet been trials that would prove the intensive insulin therapy to be productive.

A recent study, however, has shown that the pain is caused by the erratic blood glucose control.

There is a large number of various therapeutic agents that are suggested for treating the symptoms that are followed by pain.

Tricyclic agents, for instance, are the first treatment for symptomatic neuropathy, the usage of this medication is limited because of the side effect frequency and severity.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs are used to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy, however the trial of this treatment have not been very successful.

Anticonvulsants have been used as a diabetic peripheral neuropathy remedy for a long period of time, and show to be quite effective in managing the disorder. The side effects of these agents are less discomforting as those of the tricyclic, but are still troublesome. Such drugs as local anesthetic agents, NMDA antagonists, opioid analgesics, topical, and physical treatments capsaicin are widely used in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy.