Warning Signs Of Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition where an individual experiences damage to the nerves responsible for carrying messages to and from the spinal cord and brain and the rest of their body. Many factors can cause an individual to develop peripheral neuropathy, including exposure to toxins, illness, trauma, infection, diabetes, rare inherited diseases, poor nutrition, alcoholism, vitamin deficiency, chemotherapy, cancer, thyroid disease, kidney disease, Lyme disease, AIDS, shingles, autoimmune diseases, certain medications, and other hereditary factors. A peripheral neuropathy diagnosis is made with the use of medical history, physical examination, neurological examination, blood tests, CT scans, MRIs, electromyography, autonomic reflex screen, nerve biopsy, and skin biopsy. Treatment may include the use of pain reliever medications, anti-seizure medications, topical treatments, antidepressant medications, plasma exchange, intravenous immune globulin, physical therapy, surgery, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.