What is Neuropathy? - Neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy, has been called by some experts “the most common disease that no one has ever heard of.” It’s estimated that in America alone upwards of 20 million people suffer from the illness, with varying degrees of affliction, pain and suffering accompanying the malady. Neuropathy is certainly one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. But what exactly IS neuropathy?
By Neuropathy Association
Feb 4, 2011 - 10:51:19 AM
Neuropathy,
also known as peripheral neuropathy, has been called by some experts “the most
common disease that no one has ever heard of.” It’s estimated that in America
alone upwards of 20 million people suffer from the illness, with varying
degrees of affliction, pain and suffering accompanying the malady. Neuropathy
is certainly one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. But
what exactly IS neuropathy?
Peripheral
neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nerves – the autonomic, sensory and
motor nerves that connect the spinal cord to muscles, skin and the internal
organs. It normally affects the feet and hands of the afflicted person – with
varying results such as weakness, tingling, pain and/or numbness in these
extremities. Neuropathy is “nerve damage” that can be compared to the body’s
own electrical wiring system breaking down – it disrupts the body’s ability to
communicate with the skin, joints, muscles or internal organs. The disease
causes varying degrees of debilitation in those who are suffering from it –
numbness, pain, weakness or poor coordination that can be depressing and
discouraging as well as uncomfortable or very painful in the afflicted members
of the body. One of the often-used metaphors for those who are experiencing the
symptoms of peripheral neuropathy is that they feel like they are wearing socks
when they are in fact bare-footed, or are wearing gloves when they are in fact
gloveless.
Interestingly, it is assumed at this point
in medical history that peripheral neuropathy has always been around but was
either ignored, misdiagnosed, or attributed to another disease as a side
effect, such as diabetes, cancer, or kidney failure. A 1999 survey found that 8-9% of Medicare recipients have peripheral
neuropathy as their primary or secondary diagnosis. The annual cost to
Medicare exceeds $3.5 billion due to this disease!
There are
multiple causes for neuropathy and usually these causes are named in that
particular form of neuropathy. Below are some of the most prominent forms:
Compressive
neuropathy, also known as entrapment neuropathy - usually caused by some
accident or trauma that affects the nerves and compresses them – in the process
damaging the nerves so that they do not function correctly.
Diabetic
neuropathy – the most common cause of neuropathy in the western world, and
associated with the onset of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Toxic
neuropathy, and drug-induced neuropathy – these neuropathies are caused by
chemicals either accidentally affecting humans due to some toxic exposure event
or my medications that have the side-effect of neuropathy upon the consumer of
the medication.
Immune-Mediated
and CIDP – certain auto-immune disorders may manifest as neuropathy. CIDP
(Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy) is an
inflammatory auto-immune response that affects the peripheral nerves.
Help is
available for neuropathy and sufferers are encouraged to talk to their doctors
as the first step in treatment. Education is also advocated for the disease.
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