Peripheral

Peripheral neuropathy refers to the conditions that result when nerves that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord from and to the rest of the body are damaged or diseased.

Causes

Peripheral neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes is diabetes mellitus.

Symptoms

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy often start with numbness, prickling or tingling in the toes or fingers. It can spread up to the legs or hands and cause burning, freezing, throbbing and/or shooting pain that can be worse at night.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy is determined based on medical history, physical examinations and neuromuscular examinations. This can involve nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests and electromyography (EMG).

Treatment

Treatment for peripheral neuropathy depends on the cause. For example, if the cause is diabetes, treatment will aim to keep blood sugar levels in a target range. Other treatments may include physical therapy, medication, and in some cases surgery.

See also

• Diabetic neuropathy
• Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
• Guillain–Barré syndrome

References

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