Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral Neuropathy is the term used to describe the damage done to the peripheral nerves of the body which can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, electric shocks, or even burining sensations and are often found in the feet. This damage can be caused either by diseases of the nerve or from the side effects of systemic illnesses such as diabetes.
Common Causes
- Diabetes (approximately 50 per cent of diabetics suffer from diabetic neuropathy).
- Metabolic disease such as diabetes, chronic renal failure, liver failure and hypothyroidism
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome
- Infections such as leprosy, shingles (post herpetic neuralgia) or AIDS
- Pressure on a nerve or irritation of the nerve (such as in mortons neuroma)
- Toxic substances, including alcohol or heavy metals
- Vitamin deficiency, which may or may not be related to other medical conditions such as coeliac disease
- Radiation & Chemotherapy.
- Trauma (eg bone fractures)
- irritation and/or tumours of the spinal cord.
Inherited neuropathies such as Charcot Marie Tooth disease are also common. However, in many cases, no underlying disorder can be diagnosed.
Symptoms
Symptoms of neuropathy can vary in severity and location, according to the number of nerves affected and their locations. These symptoms are often worse at night and include:
- Abnormal sensations (paresthesia) –ie. burning, tingling, itching, “pins and needles”, shooting pains etc
- Weakness
- Numbness
Skin can also become quite hypersensitive (over sensitive) that some people have difficulties handling sensations such as gentle touch on their feet. In other cases people may experience other abnormal feelings such as pain on light touch when touch should otherwise be pain free. In these cases, there has been some reports that reducing sensation by protective means, such as using opsite spray on the feet, may be of benefit.
Treatment
Treatment of peripheral neuropathy depends on whether an underlying condition can be identified. In most cases however, improvement is limited if at all. For example;
Mortons neuroma may be relieved by the use of shoe paddings, an orthotic and in extreme cases may require surgery on the foot.
Diabetic neuropathy does not often improve which is why prevention is so important such as keeping blood sugar levels strictly controlled.
Toxic substance related neuropathies will often improve if those substances are avoided.
Deficiency neuropathies may improve following vitamin therapy.
Inflammatory neuropathies may respond to immune therapy.
In cases where no underlying cause can be identified, pain clinics, physical therapy, medications and pain management techniques, including psychological therapy, may also be required.
The prognosis for patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy depends on whether an underlying cause can be identified and treated. While some patients fully recover, others may develop a chronic condition requiring ongoing therapy and may require the support of one of Adelaide's Pain Clinics.
Common Causes
- Diabetes (approximately 50 per cent of diabetics suffer from diabetic neuropathy).
- Metabolic disease such as diabetes, chronic renal failure, liver failure and hypothyroidism
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome
- Infections such as leprosy, shingles (post herpetic neuralgia) or AIDS
- Pressure on a nerve or irritation of the nerve (such as in mortons neuroma)
- Toxic substances, including alcohol or heavy metals
- Vitamin deficiency, which may or may not be related to other medical conditions such as coeliac disease
- Radiation & Chemotherapy.
- Trauma (eg bone fractures)
- irritation and/or tumours of the spinal cord.
Inherited neuropathies such as Charcot Marie Tooth disease are also common. However, in many cases, no underlying disorder can be diagnosed.
Symptoms
Symptoms of neuropathy can vary in severity and location, according to the number of nerves affected and their locations. These symptoms are often worse at night and include:
- Abnormal sensations (paresthesia) –ie. burning, tingling, itching, “pins and needles”, shooting pains etc
- Weakness
- Numbness
Skin can also become quite hypersensitive (over sensitive) that some people have difficulties handling sensations such as gentle touch on their feet. In other cases people may experience other abnormal feelings such as pain on light touch when touch should otherwise be pain free. In these cases, there has been some reports that reducing sensation by protective means, such as using opsite spray on the feet, may be of benefit.
Treatment
Treatment of peripheral neuropathy depends on whether an underlying condition can be identified. In most cases however, improvement is limited if at all. For example;
Mortons neuroma may be relieved by the use of shoe paddings, an orthotic and in extreme cases may require surgery on the foot.
Diabetic neuropathy does not often improve which is why prevention is so important such as keeping blood sugar levels strictly controlled.
Toxic substance related neuropathies will often improve if those substances are avoided.
Deficiency neuropathies may improve following vitamin therapy.
Inflammatory neuropathies may respond to immune therapy.
In cases where no underlying cause can be identified, pain clinics, physical therapy, medications and pain management techniques, including psychological therapy, may also be required.
The prognosis for patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy depends on whether an underlying cause can be identified and treated. While some patients fully recover, others may develop a chronic condition requiring ongoing therapy and may require the support of one of Adelaide's Pain Clinics.
