Neuropathy "The Painful Enigma"

Neuropathy affects about 8 percent of individuals over the age of 55. Your nervous system is composed of 2 parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The nerves of your peripheral nervous system transmit messages between your central nervous system, that is your brain and spinal cord, along with the rest of the body.

These nerves regulate a massive range of functions throughout the body, such as voluntary muscle movement, involving the motor nerves, involuntary organ action, through the autonomic nerves, and also the perception of stimuli, involving the sensory nerves. Peripheral neuropathy, which is often simply referred to as “neuropathy,” is a state that happens when your nerves become damaged or injured, often times simply disrupted. It’s estimated that neuropathy affects roughly 2.4 percent of the general populace and approximately 8 percent of people older than age 55. However, this quote doesn’t include people affected by neuropathy caused by physical trauma to the nerves.

Several types of neuropathy (nerve damage) are caused by diabetes. Learn about these diabetic neuropathies: peripheral, autonomic, proximal, and focal neuropathies. Explains what nerves are affected in each type of diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy can be narrowed down into various types. The different types of neuropathies are broken down according to the different kinds of nerves affected which each serve different functions. An individual's symptoms and treatments will vary depending on the type of diabetic neuropathy.

There are four types of diabetic neuropathy: peripheral neuropathy, proximal neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, and focal neuropathy. Understanding and learning about the different types of neuropathy and their symptoms is important in order to determine the most appropriate option for treatment. 

Peripheral neuropathy, the condition caused by nerve damage and characterized by numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, and other sensations in the hands and feet, is known to be caused by systemic diseases, injuries, vitamin level abnormalitites, infections, or exposure to toxins. Despite these risk factors, peripheral neuropathy is mainly known to be caused by diabetes. 

Peripheral neuropathy can be painful, causing discomfort on the affected individual but, several treatments can help alleviate the symptoms and improve the condition. According to MedlinePlus, treating the underlying condition causing this type of neuropathy should be the first step for treatment. Treatment may be followed with medications or physical treatment to reduce the symptoms and gradually restore a person's health. 

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves outside of the brain or spinal cord. It can cause changes to sensation, movement and involuntary functions. Pressure on the nerves can cause peripheral neuropathy, as can certain conditions such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, an inherited disorder. MedlinePlus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, points out that some types of peripheral neuropathy do not have a cure. The nerve damage from this condition can have lasting effects.

Peripheral neuropathy affects three types of nerves: sensory, motor and autonomic. The sensory nerves relay information to the brain such as a change in temperature. When peripheral neuropathy damages the sensory nerves, patients can experience nerve pain, burning sensations or tingling. Some patients may have numbness that starts in the feet and moves up in the body. MayoClinic.com explains that with the numbness, patients can have reduced feeling in their limbs, which can affect their ability to sense changes. Problems can arise, such as in the case of a peripheral neuropathy patient who cannot feel pain in his feet and therefore does not notice a foot injury. If the injury goes untreated, an infection can develop.

Peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that affects the function of the body's nerve signals to the arms and legs. This condition can be caused by a number of medical conditions including diabetes but, peripheral neuropathy can be reversible. 

According to research, supplementing essential acids, vitamins, and minerals can have beneficial effects on diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Over the course of long-term treatment, some individuals experienced a reduction in symptoms and better blood flow. More research shows that an increase in the consumption of a type of carnitine may be able to regain the regular sensation in their limbs. Replenishing vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the body can also help decrease the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. 

Peripheral neuropathy is an ailment that directly affects the nerves, not including the spinal cord or the brain. It is not a single disease, but a general term used to describe a variety of different disorders, caused when the peripheral nervous system becomes damaged. People who suffer from this nerve condition typically experience symptoms of burning pain, weakness, numbness, and/or a tingling sensation.

The peripheral nervous system, consists of the nerves that run from the spinal cord and the brain to the rest of the body, such as the hands and arms, the feet and legs, the joints, the internal organs, and also the skin, nose, ears, eyes, and mouth. When these nerves are affected by peripheral neuropathy, it leads to pain and numbness to these areas.