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Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves of the peripheral nervous system are diseased or damaged, which usually affects the nerves that connect the spinal cord and brain to other extremities (arms or legs) or parts of the body (muscles, skin or internal organs).  When nerves are damaged, communication from the brain to the rest of the body can be interrupted and cause impaired muscle movements or abnormal sensations in the arms or legs such as numbness, tingling or pain.

Unfortunately, there are more than 100 various types of peripheral neuropathy that are known and it’s a disease that is more common than people think.  Peripheral neuropathy can occur at any age and it’s estimated that around 20 million people in the U.S. suffer from it.  This illness is often times misdiagnosed and patients are sometimes told that they have side effects of other diseases such as cancer or diabetes.  Sadly, there are some instances when patients are diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy but are simply told that they just have to live with it because there is nothing that can be done for it.  Many feel that this has to change and there needs to be better awareness about peripheral neuropathy so that many who suffer with this illness can have support and answers.  To learn more about peripheral neuropathy or make a donation, please visit The Neuropathy Association.

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

• Diabetes
• Various cancers
• Inherited diseases
• Poor diet
• Vitamin deficiency
• Certain medication
• Herniated discs in the back
• Alcoholism
• Unknown cause
• Tumors
• Infections
• Toxins

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

• Arms or legs feel weak
  • Arms that are weakened could mean having trouble turning door knobs and carrying groceries; or dropping things such as keys
  • Legs that are weakened feel heavy; walking, running and simply walking up stairs can be difficult to do; muscle cramps may be experienced as well
• Numbness, tingling or pain
  • Damaged nerves can cause paresthesias: abnormal sensations such as sharp, deep stabs, pinching, tingling and numbness
  • Patients may feel nothing at all (loss of sensation)
• Glove and Stocking Sensation
  • When patients get the feeling as if they’re wearing gloves or stockings on their bare hands or feet
• Sense of position is lost
  • When patients lose feeling in their feet, they lose coordination when walking, causing many to change the way they walk, usually by widening their stance or dragging their feet

Neuropathy Treatment

• Not all types of peripheral neuropathy can be cured, but there are things that can be done to help patients live comfortably with the disease
• If you suffer from some of the peripheral neuropathy symptoms mentioned above, it’s recommended to see an experienced neurologist before the disease gets worse

Diabetic Neuropathy of the Foot

• Those who suffer from diabetic neuropathy of the foot may experience diabetic foot pain at the beginning; but as the disease advances, patients will most likely lose sensation in their feet, raising the risk of developing foot ulcers, which could lead to amputation if not treated
• It’s recommended to check your feet daily for wounds and seek medical attention if you detect an open wound; make sure you wear proper diabetic socks and diabetic shoes that are comfortable and always do your best to prevent diabetic foot problems from occurring

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