Neuropathy is usually short for peripheral neuropathy, meaning a disease of the peripheral nervous system. Strictly speaking, however, neuropathy is any disease that affects any part of the nervous system.
Causes of Neuropathy
Mononeuropathies are usually caused by pressure on a nerve just under the skin near the knee, elbow, shoulder, or wrist. Some nerves close to the surface of the body, such as the median nerve in the wrist, the ulnar nerve in the elbow, the radial nerve in the upper arm, and the peroneal nerve in the calf, are more easily injured than other nerves. The injuries result in the following mononeuropathies: carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve palsy, radial nerve palsy, and peroneal nerve palsy. For example, making the same wrist movement over and over can cause pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, causing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Signs and Symptoms
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Symptoms depend on the type of nerve(s) affected (e.g., motor, sensory, autonomic) and where the nerve is located in the body. One or more types of nerve may be damaged.
Muscle weakness, cramps, and spasms are associated with motor nerve damage. In some cases, there may be loss of balance and coordination.
Some neuropathies develop suddenly; others progress slowly, even over a number of years. Severity varies among individuals and may vary in the same individual throughout the day. Symptoms generally are more severe at night.
Some signs of neuropathy may appear suddenly, but loss of sensation increases gradually. Neuropathic pain is common in those with cancer or HIV, as a result of the disease or drugs used for treatment. Diabetics will develop nerve damage sooner or later. Research shows that millions of Americans are affected by neuropathy, and that diabetes is one of the primary causes, responsible for more than half of those affected.
Treatments of Neuropathy
Pain relievers. Mild symptoms may be relieved by over-the-counter pain medications. For more severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend prescription painkillers.
Medicines such as pain relievers or creams to relieve pain. Prescription medicines often used to reduce pain from diabetic neuropathy may include medicines that are more commonly used to treat depression.
The peripheral nerves provide communication between the brain and the organs, blood vessels, muscles, and skin.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which is a type of therapy that attempts to reduce pain by applying brief pulses of electricity to nerve endings in the skin.
