What Is the Principle of Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that affects the autonomic nerves connecting the spinal cord to muscles, skin and internal organs. Beginning in the hands and feet, it causes mild and intermittent weakness, numbness, tingling and pain and can eventually become severely debilitating.
  1. Causes of Neruopathy

    • According to the Neuropathy Association, 30 percent of neuropathy cases are caused by diabetes. Another 30 percent are idiopathic or caused by unknown factors, and 40 percent are attributed to autoimmune disorders, tumors, hereditary conditions, nutritional imbalances, infections or toxins.

    Types of Nerves Affected

    • Neuropathy can affect all three of the nerve systems--sensory, autonomic and motor--or just one or two.

    Mononeuropathy and Poylneuropathy

    • Damage to a single peripheral nerve by trauma or repetitive motion is referred to as mononeuropathy. A malfunction of the peripheral nerves throughout the entire body caused by toxins, poor nutrition or disease is called polyneuropathy.

    Signs and Symptoms of Neuropathy

    • Early signs include tingling, abnormal sensations, and pain in the feet that spreads to the legs and hands. Gradually it becomes harder to walk, the legs feel heavy, there is a tendency to stumble and fall, and it becomes difficult to grip items.

    Signs of Autonomic Damage

    • Neuropathy can progress to damage the internal organs of the body, causing a drop in blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, sexual dysfunction, bruising and poor healing.

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