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Peripheral neuropathy
Definition:
Peripheral neuropathy is a failure of the nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord. This produces pain, loss of sensation, and inability to control muscles. The term peripheral neuropathy can be broken down as follows: "neuro" = nerves, "pathy" = abnormal, and "peripheral" = nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord. Text Continues Below
Alternative Names:
Peripheral neuritis; Neuropathy - peripheral; Neuritis - peripheral
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
The peripheral nerves relay information from your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to muscles and other organs and from your skin, joints, and other organs back to your brain. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when these nerves fail to function properly, resulting in pain, loss of sensation, or inability to control muscles. In some cases, the failure of nerves that control blood vessels, intestines, and other organs results in abnormal blood pressure, digestion problems, and loss of other basic body processes. Peripheral neuropathy may involve damage to a single nerve or nerve group (mononeuropathy ) or may affect multiple nerves (polyneuropathy). There are numerous reasons for nerves to malfunction. In some cases, no cause can be identified. Damage to nerves can result from one of the specific conditions associated with neuropathy, including: - Hereditary disorders
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Friedreich's ataxia
- Systemic or metabolic disorders
- Infectious or inflammatory conditions
- Exposure to toxic compounds
- sniffing glue or other toxic compounds
- nitrous oxide
- industrial agents -- especially solvents
- heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.)
- Neuropathy secondary to drugs (many drugs can cause neuropathy)
- Miscellaneous causes
- ischemia (decreased oxygen/decreased blood flow)
- prolonged exposure to cold temperature
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