Peripheral Neuropathy Health Article

Definition

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition involving the nerves of the peripheral portion of the nervous system. Neurobiologists describe the peripheral nervous system as any part of that system found in the arms or legs. The nerves that traverse the arms and legs occur in fibrous groups identified from the vascular system by their whitish color. These nerve tracts, or bundles of similar type nerve cell fibers, exit the brain and spinal cord from the intervertebral spaces in the spinal column to the rest of the body. The majority of the peripheral nerves are responsible for sensations such as touch, pain, and temperature. There is a greater concentration of particular types of nerve cells located in both the hands and feet. This concentration is a result of the need for sensory integration with the numerous small muscles and intricacy of movement in these regions of the body.

When certain traumatic conditions exist in the peripheral nerves, some people experience a highly uncomfortable condition in which they describe sensations as burning, tingling, shooting pain, overall persistent pain, and a wide variety of additional discomforting sensations. When this condition this persistent, it is called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is also known as somatic neuropathy or distal sensory polyneuropathy.

This disorder is primarily recorded in persons with diabetes, compromised immune systems, or those who have suffered some sort of injury to these nerves. The traumas can range from overexposure to certain chemical toxins, penetration injury, fractures, staying in one position too long, severe impact, or even prolonged compression, as in the wearing of inappropriate footwear. Athletes who use their feet in sports such as tennis, basketball, soccer, or any running exercise are at moderate-to-severe risk. Among those with diabetes and HIV the risk is highest. As a result of high computer usage, the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome, a type of peripheral neuropathy, is rising.

Many researchers assume the condition itself is caused by the loss of myelin (a waxy type substance) along the axon of the nerve cell. The role of myelin will be discussed later in the description of the nerves themselves. As a result of this loss of myelin, patients describe a variety of symptoms such as those previously described. A variety of initial complaint descriptions like aching, throbbing, the feeling of cold such as frostbite or even heat sensation so severe some patients compare it to "walking on a bed of coals," are the first clues to the possibility of advancing neuropathy.

Because the initial symptoms are similar to many other disorders, doctors are sometimes hesitant to diagnose peripheral neuropathy until the disease has reached a more advanced stage. By that time rehabilitation and treatment may take longer and be less effective.

Description

Many persons with peripheral neuropathy in the legs experience an inability to walk properly. The incidence of injuries from falling increase, and affected persons may eventually develop a shuffling-type gait. In the hands, many people with this disorder must wear a brace or some sort of support. They lack their previous dexterity and fingers become numb. Manual tasks become difficult or almost impossible.

This disease may affect the nerves in several ways. If a single nerve is involved, the condition is called mononeuropathy. This condition is considered rare as it is unusual to find a condition in which only a single nerve maybe involved. Trauma is likely to involve multiple neurons and toxins or diabetes will most likely produce a global reaction.

Another condition likely to exist is one in which two or more nerves in separate areas of the body are affected. This case is described as multiple mononeuropathy. While this is still a less frequent scenario it is more common that the disease will occur in the same areas of either side of the body. This situation is more common when the cause is systemic rather than a physical injury.

Most often many nerves in the same vicinity are simultaneously involved, which is known as polyneuropathy. This is the most common expression of the disorder. Damage to nerve fibers may eventually result in loss of motor function or a reduction in proprioceptive or sensation types of responses. This type of neuropathy causes the greatest distress among patients. Treatment is difficult and often the nerve damage is irreversible. A halt to the advancement of the disease is one of the most promising types of relief a patient can expect.