Neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy, is a condition that affects the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves that transmit information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. The peripheral nerves control sensation, movement, and organ function. Neuropathy can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on which nerves are affected and the severity of the damage.

• Numbness, tingling or burning feeling in extremities.
• Loss of sensation
• Muscle weakness
• Reflex loss
• Pain
• Difficulty walking or staying balanced
• Difficulty with fine motor skills

There are a variety of causes of neuropathy, such as:

• Diabetes (elevated sugar levels)
• Lack of vitamins
• Long-term, heavy alcohol use
• Autoimmune disorders
• Lupus
• HIV infections
• Lyme disease
• Leprosy
• Sjogren’s syndrome
• Kidney disease

Treating neuropathy is largely dependent on the underlying cause. Some of the most common ways of treating neuropathy include physical care, nerve blocks, nerve stimulators, vitamin supplements, and alcohol avoidance.

There are several types of neuropathies, including peripheral neuropathy, cranial neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, and focal neuropathy.

Peripheral Neuropathy:

Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve disease that affects a certain division of your nervous system, particularly the peripheral nervous system, which consists of nerves that are beyond the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral neuropathy can affect different limbs of the body, depending on the cause of the neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy impacts the nerves of the extremities – the toes, legs, feet, fingers, arms, and hands.

Cranial neuropathy:

Cranial neuropathy occurs when any of the 12 cranial nerves are damaged. Consequently, cranial neuropathy typically manifests as optic neuropathy or auditory neuropathy.

Autonomic neuropathy:

Autonomic neuropathy is damage to the nerves of the involuntary nervous system (i.e., nerves that control blood circulation, digestion, bowel function, sexual response, and perspiration).

Focal Neuropathy:

Focal neuropathy is a form of neuropathy that affects one group or one area of nerves of the body, and typically appears suddenly.

The two primary ways that peripheral neuropathy develop are demyelination and Axonal degeneration.

These forms of neuropathy can be diagnosed through Nerve Conduction Studies and EMGs.