Neuropathy is a disease that affects the nervous system. ‘Neuro’ means nerves and ‘pathy’ means disease. It affects the nerve pathways running between the central nervous system – the brain and spinal cord – and the peripheral nervous system – motor and sensory neurons. The major symptoms are serious pain, stinging, lack of sensation and inflammation, which affect diverse parts of the body, especially feet and toes, and sometimes hands too.
Neuropathic pain, also known as neuralgia, occurs spontaneously or as a reaction to external treatments. Neuralgia is dissimilar from the common type of pain that one might experience when hit with a hammer on the toe. Neuropathic pain is steady and constant, characterized by a burning or pricking sensation, which does not result from an obvious stimulus. Whereas common pain influences only the pain nerves, neuropathy triggers both pain and non-pain sensory nerves.
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.
Neuropathy may also be caused by hereditary conditions, strain, and kidney disease. Methodical examination of the patient should reveal the cause. With the aid of a few blood tests, electro-diagnosis, which tests nerve conduction, and electromyography, which studies muscular and nervous function, doctors may find the cause and provide appropriate treatment. Some treatments offered are splinting, surgery, physical therapies and therapeutic drugs, depending on the diagnosis.
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Alcoholic Neuropathy
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Alcoholic neuropathy defines the nerve disorder associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Nerve function is reduced, it is believed, by the toxins in alcohol and nutritional deficiencies. Normal symptoms for alcoholic neuropathy include lack of sensation, tingling, frail ankles and muscles and burning feet. Diarrhea, nausea/vomiting,...
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Neuropathic Pain
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Common pain is a reaction to any sort of detrimental stimulus that teaches us not to repeat the action that caused the pain in the first place. Neuropathic pain is very distinct from every other type of pain a patient may experience. Neuropathic pain, or...
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Diabetic Neuropathy
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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As the name suggests, diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder caused by diabetes. Over many years, diabetic patients suffer damage to nerves all over the body. The longer a person has been diabetic, the greater the danger of diabetic neuropathy. Such nerve damage can manifest...
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Neuropathy Symptoms
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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In general, neuropathy symptoms begin with lack of sensation, prickling in the toes or fingers, and continue to extend to the feet and hands, causing burning sensation and severe pain, which is particularly acute at night time. Neuropathy pain is usually symmetrical, meaning one would...
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Peripheral Neuropathy
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage to the peripheral nervous system, which carries all messages to the brain. Peripheral nerves, when damaged, cannot carry, or carry distorted messages, to the brain from the extremities. Symptoms may include numbness, itching, burning, paralysis, not sweating normally, impaired sexual...
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Neuropathy Medication
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Neuropathy is disease of the nervous system. One or more nerves of similar length could be damaged, thereby causing severe pain, numbness or tingling sensations. Medications are available to cure neuropathy, but these take a long time; the time taken depends on the type and...
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Neuropathy Treatment
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Addressing the root cause of neuropathy, such as diabetes or alcoholism, is the focus of neuropathy treatment. Physical exercises and training is also helpful to provide stability and power to muscles. Aids such as wheelchairs and splints can be used for mobility in the case...
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Osteoarthritis progresses with age and affects the area around the joints. One experiences pain, stiffness or swellings due to complete loss of cartilage cushion, extended periods of inactivity, or trauma. The pain differs in intensity from low to high, increasing in humid weather, followed by...
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Gout is a common disease and often presents suddenly with a painful joint. The most common and well-recognized symptom is swelling of the joint in the big toe where it joins the foot. This can be extremely painful and enlarged and if not treated the...
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Heart Disease Symptoms
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How important is it for us to be aware of the symptoms of heart disease? Is it necessary to know about it at all? Statistics reveal that millions of people in America are affected by heart disease. Millions die each year due to this. To...