What Is Toxic Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a nerve disease that commonly causes muscle pain, weakness and spasms. Toxic neuropathy refers to neuropathy caused by toxic substances. Toxic neuropathy is usually contracted from drug abuse or chemical exposure in the workplace. The first step in treating toxic neuropathy is to find the source of the disease. Drug -elated neuropathy can be more difficult to diagnose because patients will likely lie about abusing drugs.

Causes

• Drug abuse and chemical exposure in the workplace are the most common causes of toxic neuropathy. Exposure to lead, mercury, arsenic and thailum in the workplace makes you more vulnerable to toxic neuropathy. In addition to drug abuse, sniffing substances like glue can lead to toxic neuropathy. Herbal medicine remedies, especially Chinese remedies, can be another cause of toxic neuropathy because herbal medicines can contain dangerous chemicals.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of toxic neuropathy are the same as standard forms of neuropathy. Pain, spasms and weakness in the muscles are the most common symptoms. Some people with neuropathy experience difficulty walking. Pain associated with neuropathy usually comes in the form of numbness or shooting pain. Numbness results from nerves inside the body falling asleep. Shooting pain occurs when nerve signals violently thrust through the body.

Diagnosis

• Doctors usually recognize symptoms of neuropathy during a physical examination. Neurological evaluations, electromyography and blood tests are among methods doctors use to confirm a diagnosis of neuropathy. Specific diagnosis of toxic neuropathy relies on patients giving doctors accurate information.

Treatment

• Treatment for toxic neuropathy depends on the cause of the disease. If the cause is exposure to chemicals, the first step in treatment is removing the patient from the environment of exposure. For drug-related neuropathy, giving up drug habits is the first step. To receive pain relief from neuropathy, take standard over-the-counter medication. If the pain is severe, ask your doctor to prescribe you a stronger pain medication.

Considerations

• Employers in the United States are required by law to inform employees of any chemicals in the workplace. If you contract toxic neuropathy from the workplace and your employer never informed you of the chemicals, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. How long you have been exposed and the amount of chemical exposure can affect the severity of your neuropathy. Toxic neuropathy can develop after short- or long-term chemical exposure.