Peripheral Neuropathy : Risk Factors

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Drug allergies are a group of symptoms caused by allergic reaction to a drug (medication).
Source:ADAM
Date:July 19, 2007
Drug interactions are changes in the effect of one drug due to the effect of either another drug taken at the same time (drug-drug interactions) or food consumed while the drug is being taken (drug-food interactions). Some drugs are deliberately combined for administration because there are beneficial effects to be derived.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
A drug allergy is an adverse reaction to a medication, often an antibiotic, that is mediated by the body ' s immune system. A drug sensitivity is an unusual reaction to a drug that does not involve the immune system.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Drug metabolism is the process by which the body breaks down and converts medication into active chemical substances. Precautions Drugs can interact with other drugs, foods, and beverages.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the final and most serious stage of HIV disease , which causes severe damage to the immune system. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AIDS begins when a person with HIV infection has a CD4 cell count below 200. (CD4 is also called "T-cell", a type of immune cell.) AIDS is also defined by numerous opportunistic infections and cancers that occur in the presence of HIV infection.
Source:ADAM
Date:May 19, 2008
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It was first recognized in the United States in 1981.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the final and most serious stage of the disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. Symptoms begin when an HIV-positive person presents a CD4-cell (also called T cell, a type of immune cell) count below 200.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS is the advanced form of infection caused by HIV and typically only manifests itself after a long latency period after initial HIV infection.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It was first recognized in the United States in 1981.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) by infecting helper T cells of the immune system. The most common serotype, HIV-1, is distributed worldwide, while HIV-2 is primarily confined to West Africa.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is the final, life-threatening stage of infection with any of the human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV-1, its many subtypes, or HIV-2), which are transmitted from person to person sexually (including via anal, oral, and vaginal intercourse, both heterosexually and homosexually), through contact with blood (mainly via equipment used to inject illicit drugs and, rarely, via medical uses of blood), and perinatally (from mother to fetus or newborn during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, or after birth through breast-feeding). ORIGIN AND HISTORY HIV-1 and HIV-2 both appear to have been transmitted to humans from primates in Central and West Africa, probably to hunters or processors of carcasses of primates consumed as food (referred to as " bush meat " ).
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) was identified in 1983 by the French scientist Luc Montagier and his staff at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. Ever since that discovery, scientists have been searching for ways to treat those infected with HIV, and to produce a vaccine to prevent its spread.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nutrition and Well Being
Cancer involves the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that have mutated from normal tissues. This growth can kill when these cells prevent normal function of vital organs or spread throughout the body, damaging essential systems.
Source:ADAM
Date:September 11, 2006
Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of almost 100 diseases. It is a genetic disease, with two main characteristics of uncontrolled growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of those cells to migrate from the original site and spread to distant sites.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Cancer is the end product of a multistep process (carcinogenesis) that occurs over many years. The term " cancer " actually refers to numerous distinct diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth and differentiation.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
The Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer: A Guide to Cancer and Its Treatments is a unique and invaluable source of information for anyone touched by cancer. This collection of over 450 entries provides in-depth coverage of specific cancer types, diagnostic procedures, treatments, cancer side effects, and cancer drugs.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
A group of diseases characterized by uncontrollable cell growth. Cancer is a family of diseases in which cells replicate at an extremely rapid pace.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence
Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled and abnormal growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to spread to distant sites (metastasis). If the spread is not controlled, cancer can result in death.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders Part I
The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute is the most authoritative source of information on cancer incidence and survival in the United States. Established in 1973, SEER originally provided cancer incidence data for Connecticut, Iowa, New Mexico, Utah, and Hawaii, and for the metropolitan areas of Detroit and San Francisco-Oakland.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth of tissue cells in the body and the invasion by these cells into nearby tissue and migration to distant sites. Cancer results from alterations (mutations) in genes that make up DNA, the master molecule of the cell.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled and abnormal growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to spread to distant sites (metastasis). If the spread is not controlled, cancer can result in death.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders Part II
Cancer is not just one disease, but a large group of almost one hundred diseases. Its two main characteristics are uncontrolled growth of the cells in the human body and the ability of these cells to migrate from the original site and spread to distant sites.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in the body and the ability of these malignant cells to spread (metastasize) to distant sites within the body. If the spread is not controlled, cancer can result in death.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Around the world, over 10 million cancer cases occur annually.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nutrition and Well Being
A continuous process in which multiple alterations occur in genes that control cell division and differentiation that leads to cancer- the uncontrolled division and proliferation of cells. These genetic alterations are referred to as mutations, which are changes in the normal DNA sequence of a particular gene.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease defines a group of inherited, slowly progressive disorders that result from progressive damage to nerves. Symptoms include numbness and wasting of muscle tissue, first in the feet and legs, then in the hands and arms.
Source:ADAM
Date:July 10, 2007
Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT) is the name of a group of inherited disorders of the nerves in the peripheral nervous system (nerves throughout the body that communicate motor and sensory information to and from the spinal cord) causing weakness and loss of sensation in the limbs. CMT is named for the three neurologists who first described the condition in the late 1800s.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the name of a group of inherited disorders of the nerves in the peripheral nervous system. These are the nerves throughout the body that communicate motor and sensory information to and from the spinal cord.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the name of a group of inherited disorders of the nerves in the peripheral nervous system (nerves throughout the body that communicate motor and sensory information to and from the spinal cord) causing weakness and loss of sensation in the limbs. CMT is named for the three neurologists who first described the condition in the late 1800s.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders Part II
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the name of a group of inherited disorders of the nerves in the peripheral nervous system (nerves throughout the body that communicate motor and sensory information to and from the spinal cord) causing weakness and loss of sensation in the limbs. CMT is named for the three neurologists who first described the condition in the late 1800s.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders Part I
The name Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder (CMT) refers to a group of hereditary diseases, all involving chronic motor and sensory neuropathies. Drs.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Colorado tick fever is an acute viral infection transmitted by the bite of the Dermacentor andersoni tick.
Source:ADAM
Date:August 8, 2006
Diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both.
Source:ADAM
Date:February 8, 2007
If you have diabetes, you are two to four times more likely to have heart disease than someone without diabetes. You can control your health risks by making some changes in your life.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
Carbohydrates are your body’s main source of glucose, a special kind of sugar. Your dietitian will probably recommend that 55 to 60 percent of your calories come from carbohydrates. There are two types of carbohydrates: complex and simple.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
Type 1 diabetes can be controlled by taking insulin, eating a proper diet, and being active. These help your child’s body keep healthy blood sugar levels.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
Even small movements can greatly improve your health. Simple activity can also boost your mental outlook. And you may spend less money on your health care. Think of it this way: Small steps may take you a long distance.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
When you're sick, even with just a cold, your blood sugar level may rise. Ask your healthcare team to help you develop a sick-day plan for controlling blood sugar. Here are some guidelines.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
Choose carefully and cook wisely. As you shop, think about how the foods you choose will fit into your meal plan. When you cook, try to cut down on sugar and fat. If you have high blood pressure, cut down on salt as well.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin or when cells stop responding to the insulin that is produced, so that glucose in the blood cannot be absorbed into the cells of the body. Symptoms include frequent urination, lethargy, excessive thirst, and hunger.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition that occurs during pregnancy . Like other forms of diabetes, GDM involves a defect in the way the body processes and uses sugars (glucose) in the diet.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Your meal plan tells you when to eat your meals and snacks, what kinds of foods to eat, and how much of each food to eat. You don’t have to give up all the foods you like. But you do need to follow some guidelines.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
Having diabetes may mean adjustments at work and in your social life. But these changes need not keep you from succeeding at work and enjoying your leisure time.
Source:StayWell
Date:June 18, 2004
Gestational diabetes is a condition that occurs during pregnancy . Like other forms of diabetes, gestational diabetes involves a defect in the way the body processes and uses sugars (glucose) in the diet.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder resulting from defects in insulin action, insulin production, or both. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, helps the body use and store glucose produced during the digestion of food.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nutrition and Well Being
Diabetes mellitus is a condition that occurs when either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body ' s cells stop responding to the insulin that is produced. In either case, glucose in the blood cannot be absorbed or used by the cells of the body.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Diabetes is the Greek term for " passing through, " a phrase used to describe multiple diseases characterized by excessive urination. There are multiple forms of diabetes.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders Part II
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease in which the body is not able to correctly process glucose for cell energy due to either an insufficient amount of the hormone insulin or a physical resistance to the insulin the body does produce. Without proper treatment through medication and/or lifestyle changes, the high blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels caused by diabetes can cause long-term damage to organ systems throughout the body.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
A serious disorder caused by an absence of or insufficient amount of insulin in the bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas in varying amounts, depending on the concentration of glucose (sugar).
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence
Diabetes mellitus describes a group of diseases in which there is an elevated level of the sugar glucose, the body's main source of energy for cellular functions, in the blood. The level of glucose, as well as other "fuel" molecules, is increased due to a disorder in the production or function of the hormone insulin.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders Part I
Living with diabetes means making many changes in your life, and these changes may seem overwhelming. When you feel down, reach out to your family and friends, and to your healthcare team. Here are a list of other resources.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
The diabetes food pyramid is a tool to help you eat a wide range of healthy foods. You can use it to plan low-fat meals and snacks that include carbohydrates and protein.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
Simple and small movements can get you started exercising. You don’t need to join a gym to start moving. Make it easy on yourself and you will be able to make exercising a habit. Slow, gentle, and easy is the way to begin to make exercising part of your life.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
Once you become more active, you may be ready to increase the pace. Choose an exercise you enjoy. Just be sure to warm up, cool down, and stay safe. And learn when it’s time to stop exercising.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
Managing diabetes means developing a routine for things like meals, exercise, and taking medication. It also means making changes in some of your activities, such as driving, to help keep you and those around you safe.
Source:StayWell
Date:June 18, 2004
Taking care of yourself means developing a routine for things like meals, exercising, and taking medication. But sometimes this routine is disrupted when you travel. Your healthcare team can help you work out a plan to prepare for unexpected situations.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
When you have diabetes, your body needs special care. This care helps you stay healthy and prevent complications. Exercise and healthy eating are a part of this. You can also protect yourself by taking special care of your feet and skin.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by the toxin-producing bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae .
Source:ADAM
Date:June 17, 2008
Diphtheria is a potentially fatal, contagious disease that usually involves the nose, throat, and air passages but may also infect the skin. Its most striking feature is the formation of a grayish membrane covering the tonsils and upper part of the throat.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Diphtheria is a potentially fatal, contagious disease that usually involves the nose, throat, and air passages, but may also infect the skin. Its most striking feature is the formation of a grayish membrane covering the tonsils and upper part of the throat.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
An acute bacterial infection characterized by the formation of a gray or yellowish-white membrane over the throat and nasal passages. Diptheria can affect any of the body ' s mucus membranes, causing swelling of the neck and inflammation of the heart and nervous system, and certain strains can result in widespread organ damage.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence
Diphtheria is a communicable disease caused by infection with Corynebacterium diphtheriae , typically presenting as respiratory tract infection in temperate climates and as cutaneous infection in the tropics. Clinical manifestations include pseudomembrane formation in the respiratory tract and soft tissue swelling of the neck ( " bull neck " ).
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a rare inherited disease. The two main features of this disorder are: progressive loss of voluntary muscular coordination (ataxia) heart enlargement Diagnosis is usually made between ages 8 and 15, and for most by age 25.
Source:ADAM
Date:December 12, 2006
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA or FA) is an inherited, degenerative nervous system disorder that results in muscle weakness and inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements. Onset of FDRA is usually in childhood or early adolescence.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Friedreich ' s ataxia (FA) is an inherited, progressive nervous system disorder causing loss of balance and coordination. Ataxia is a condition marked by impaired coordination.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Friedreich ataxia (FA) is an inherited, progressive nervous system disorder causing loss of balance and coordination. Ataxia is a condition marked by impaired coordination.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders Part II
Friedreich ' s ataxia (FA) is an inherited, progressive nervous system disorder causing loss of balance and coordination, speech problems, and heart disease. FA is an inherited disease marked by impaired coordination that is a result of degeneration of the structures in the cerebellum and the spinal cord, which are responsible for coordination, muscle movement, and some sensory functions, including color vision and hearing.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Friedreich ataxia (FA) is an inherited, progressive nervous system disorder causing loss of balance and coordination. Ataxia is a condition marked by impaired coordination.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders Part I
Guillain-Barre syndrome is a serious disorder that occurs when the body's defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system. This leads to nerve inflammation that causes muscle weakness , which continues to get worse.
Source:ADAM
Date:April 28, 2006
Guillain-Barr e syndrome (GBS) causes progressive muscle weakness and paralysis (the complete inability to use a particular muscle or muscle group), which develops over days or up to four weeks, and lasts several weeks or even months. The classic scenario in GBS involves a patient who has just recovered from a typical, seemingly uncomplicated viral infection.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Guillain-Barr e syndrome (GBS) is an inflammation of the covering that surrounds nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord. The basis of the inflammation is not conclusively known, but is generally considered to arise from a malfunctioning immune system that recognizes host tissues as being foreign.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver.
Source:ADAM
Date:July 25, 2007
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Infectious or viral hepatitis is caused by a viral infection.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
A person with HIV can look and feel perfectly healthy. But that person can give HIV to others as soon as he or she is infected with the virus.
Source:StayWell
Date:August 14, 2003
Ischemia is an insufficient supply of blood to an organ, usually due to a blocked artery. Myocardial ischemia is an intermediate condition in coronary artery disease during which the heart tissue is slowly or suddenly starved of oxygen and other nutrients.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Ischemia is an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to an organ, usually due to a blocked artery. Myocardial ischemia is an intermediate condition in coronary artery disease during which the heart tissue is slowly or suddenly starved of oxygen and other nutrients.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Leprosy is an infectious disease that has been known since biblical times. It is characterized by disfiguring skin sores, peripheral nerve damage, and progressive debilitation.
Source:ADAM
Date:July 25, 2007
Leprosy is a slowly progressing bacterial infection that affects the skin, peripheral nerves in the hands and feet, and mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and eyes. Destruction of the nerve endings causes the the affected areas to lose sensation.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Evidence of leprosy (Hansen ' s disease) has been detected in prehistoric human remains, and the disease has been described in Biblical and other historical records dating as far back as the 2nd millennium B.C.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease characterized by a skin rash, joint inflammation, and flu-like symptoms, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by the bite of a deer tick. See also tick removal .
Source:ADAM
Date:May 19, 2008
Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease transmitted through the bite of a deer tick carrying the spiral-shaped bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi . Symptoms can include skin rash, joint inflammation, fever , headache , fatigue, and muscle pain .
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Lyme disease, which is also known as Lyme borreliosis, is an infection transmitted by the bite of deer ticks carrying the spirochete (spiral-shaped bacterium) Borrelia burgdorferi . The disease was named for Lyme, Connecticut, the town where it was first diagnosed in 1975 after a puzzling outbreak of juvenile arthritis.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Lyme disease is an infection transmitted by the bite of ticks carrying the spiral-shaped bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi . The disease was named for Lyme, Connecticut, the town where it was first diagnosed in 1975 after a puzzling outbreak of arthritis.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Lyme disease, which is also known as Lyme borreliosis, is an infection transmitted by the bite of ticks carrying the spiral-shaped bacterium (spirochete) Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). The disease was named for Old Lyme, Connecticut, the town where it was first diagnosed in 1975, after a puzzling outbreak of arthritis.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when a person's body is not getting enough nutrients. The condition may result from an inadequate or unbalanced diet, digestive difficulties, absorption problems, or other medical conditions.
Source:ADAM
Date:May 18, 2007
Nutritional deficiencies occur when a person ' s nutrient intake consistently falls below the recommended requirement. Nutritional deficiencies can lead Children between 10-19 years of age face serious nutritional deficiencies worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nutrition and Well Being
The nutritional requirements of the human body reflect the nutritional intake necessary to maintain optimal body function and to meet the body ' s daily energy needs. Malnutrition (literally, " bad nutrition " ) is defined as " inadequate nutrition, " and while most people interpret this as undernutrition , falling short of daily nutritional requirements, it can also mean overnutrition, meaning intake in excess of what the body uses.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nutrition and Well Being
Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins , minerals , and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. Undernutrition Malnutrition occurs in people who are either under-nourished or over-nourished.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Malnutrition is a condition that develops when the body does not get the proper amount of protein, energy (calories), vitamins , and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. Poor eating habits or lack of available food may lead to malnutrition.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Polyarteritis nodosa is a serious blood vessel disease. Small and medium-sized arteries become swollen and damaged when they are attacked by rogue immune cells.
Source:ADAM
Date:August 22, 2006
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic (long-term) disease that causes inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs.
Source:ADAM
Date:July 27, 2007
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and deformity of the joints. Other problems throughout the body (systemic problems) may also develop, including inflammation of blood vessels ( vasculitis ), the development of bumps (called rheumatoid nodules) in various parts of the body, lung disease, blood disorder