Neurology diagnoses and treats disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, as well as thought and memory.
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The peripheral nervous system serves as the intricate communication highway connecting the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to the rest of the body. Peripheral neuropathy is not a single disease but a general term indicating dysfunction or damage to these nerves. This disruption interferes with the vital messages being transmitted, leading to a distortion of sensory information, loss of muscle control, or failure of autonomic functions.
To understand neuropathy, one must visualize the structure of the nerves. Peripheral nerves are bundles of axons, similar to electrical cables, which are often insulated by a fatty substance called myelin. This myelin sheath ensures that electrical signals travel rapidly and efficiently. Damage can occur to the axon itself (the wire) or to the myelin sheath (the insulation), resulting in different clinical pictures and speeds of progression.
Neuropathies are classified in several ways to help guide diagnosis and treatment. Mononeuropathy involves damage to a single nerve, often due to physical compression like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Polyneuropathy, the most common form, involves widespread damage to many nerves, typically starting in the longest nerves first. Mononeuritis multiplex describes a condition where localized damage occurs in several separate nerve areas randomly.
The mechanisms of injury in peripheral neuropathy are diverse. In metabolic conditions like diabetes, high blood sugar levels cause chemical changes that are toxic to the nerves and damage the tiny blood vessels supplying them. In autoimmune conditions, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the protein markers on the myelin sheath. Toxic neuropathies result from substances interfering with the energy production or transport systems within the long axons.
Peripheral neuropathy is a pervasive health issue, particularly in aging populations. It is estimated to affect millions of individuals globally, with diabetes mellitus being the leading cause in the developed world. The condition significantly impacts quality of life, leading to chronic pain, sleep disturbance, and a high risk of falls and injuries due to the loss of sensation and balance.
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It is the network of nerves that lies outside your brain and spinal cord, responsible for sensation, movement, and controlling automatic body functions.
No, peripheral neuropathy is not an infection that can be spread from person to person; it is caused by internal factors like diabetes, injury, or genetics.
Peripheral nerves have the ability to regenerate, unlike brain cells, but the process is very slow and depends on the underlying cause of the damage being treated.
A pinched nerve is one specific type of neuropathy (mononeuropathy), but the term peripheral neuropathy usually refers to a more widespread systemic problem affecting many nerves.
Large fibers control vibration, touch, and movement, while small fibers transmit pain and temperature; damage to them causes different symptoms and requires different tests.
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