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When your peripheral nerve system is active, your five senses are active. The flow of information from the brain to the body helps us to have a more complete experience of life. More particular, it is vital to pay attention to subtle or evident symptoms of bodily disorders in order to accurately diagnose health conditions. In this post, we will discuss the importance of the peripheral nervous system and the treatments available for patients suffering from Neuropathy.
Peripheral nerves are essential components of the human nervous system. The central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system make up the nervous system. The peripheral nervous system’s purpose is to transfer information from your brain to the rest of your body. The peripheral nervous system is divided into two parts: the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls involuntary body activities and regulates glands, and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). And the SNS, which controls muscle action and conveys information from the ears, eyes, and skin to the central nervous system.
When all of the peripheral nervous system’s components function effectively together, information is conveyed and there is no weakness, numbness, or pain. The specialized functions of the peripheral nervous system are classified into three types.
The list of dysfunctions is long since the peripheral nervous system governs so many of our body systems. In brief, the most prevalent ailments and diseases are:
Patients with peripheral neuropathy often present with progressive symptoms such as sensory loss, numbness, and pain or burning sensations in distal limbs in a “stocking and glove” distribution in the early stages. The numbness may spread proximally over time, and modest distal muscle weakening and atrophy may result. Patients with illnesses that induce acute peripheral neuropathy, such as those caused by toxic exposures, may appear with comparable but more fulminant symptoms, with pain predominating; symptoms also often increase more quickly. (AAFP)
The majority of cases of neuropathy are acquired (not genetic) Acquired neuropathies can be symptomatic (caused by another disorder or condition; see below) or idiopathic (cause unknown) (NINDS). Neuropathy can be caused by a variety of illnesses or disorders (that should be discussed and diagnosed by a doctor):
Because the peripheral nervous system carries messages throughout the body, neuropathy occurs when the nerves are physically injured. Playing sports, being in an accident, and/or falling can all result in physical harm to the neurological system.
In the United States, diabetes is the major cause of polyneuropathy. Approximately 60–70% of diabetics have mild to severe sensory, motor, and autonomic nerve impairment. (NINDS).
Vascular issues can reduce oxygen delivery to the peripheral nerves, causing nerve tissue injury. Certain risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, and drinking, can exacerbate the thickness and scarring, decreased blood flow, and nerve injury.
Autoimmune illnesses, in which the immune system incorrectly assaults a number of the body’s own tissues, can directly target nerves or cause complications when surrounding tissues compress or entrap nerves. Systemic autoimmune illnesses that produce neuropathic pain include Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
These disorders, which can affect nerves, are frequently precipitated by recent infections. They can develop rapidly or slowly, and some become chronic with varying degrees of severity. Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy both cause apparent weakness and muscle shrinkage due to damage to the motor fibers that go to the muscle.
Hormonal imbalances can disrupt normal metabolic processes, resulting in enlarged tissues that press upon peripheral nerves.
Neurological problems are common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). These issues could have an impact on both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Stroke, cognitive impairment, encephalopathy, peripheral and autonomic neuropathies are all common neurological consequences in CKD. (PubMed)
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can result in significant anaemia, nerve damage, and spinal cord degeneration. Anaemia is commonly the initial symptom, but this is not always the case, especially if a person is taking a folate supplement. B12 deficiency harms the myelin sheath, which surrounds and protects nerves. Without this protection, nerves stop working properly, resulting in disorders such as peripheral neuropathy. (Foundation for PN)
Beyond the actual diseases like cancers and tumours, the treatments for cancers and tumours like chemotherapy and radiation can also cause Neuropathy.
Because neuropathy can be caused by specific conditions and risk factors it is important for a person to see a doctor, this will be the most effective way eliminate symptoms and treat neuropathy.
Once a person gets diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy, it is critical they get treated properly as to relieve symptoms and further discomfort. There are many effective treatments:
Prescription medications – There are many medications one could take but they also come with side effects, don’t treat root cause and can decrease in effectiveness over time. The most common medications are: pain relievers, antidepressants and anti-seizure medications.
Electro Therapies – surgery, physical therapy and Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
Eliminating risk factors – If at all possible it is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle cutting out drinking, smoking, overeating and increasing exercise.
Shockwave Therapy – Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), a non-invasive treatment, relieves the pain of peripheral nerve damage and promotes local arterial remodelling and cellular regeneration. It is also known as an effective treatment for enhancing muscle strength and decreasing muscle tone (NCBI) Shockwaves are sound waves that have specific physical characteristics, including nonlinearity, high peak pressure followed by low tensile amplitude, short rise time, and short duration (10 ms). They have a single pulse, a wide frequency range (0-20 MHz), and a high pressure amplitude (0-120 MPa). High energy SWT or “true” shockwaves are classified as short duration (approx. 10msec) high energy pulses (5-100MPa) that break the sound barrier resulting in a shockwave. Shockwave Therapy can be a proven effective treatment when a trained medical professional. (Physio-Pedia)
30-40% of all cancer patients have Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
Around 23% of all neuropathy patients are diagnosed with idiopathic neuropathy.
Exposure to some toxic substances can make one susceptible to peripheral nerve damage. These substances include heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, arsenic and organic solvents; and certain medications, such as those used to treat cancer or AIDS.(Foundation for PN)
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