Peripheral Neuropathy: Meaning, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

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Namrata Das

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Peripheral neuropathy means a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Or we also can say that pain is caused due to nerve damage. Basically, the peripheral mainly seems in the forearms, hands, and feet also. Peripheral neuropathy is classified on the basis of the affected nerves. So, it also controls the flow of communication between the brain and the spiel cord of the skin muscles. Let’s discuss the topic in-depth with some important questions. 

Key Terms: Neuropathy, Peripheral neuritis, Spinal Cord, Nerve, Skin muscles, Nervous system, Peripheral nervous system, Sense organs

Also Read: Control and Coordination


What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

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By the term “Peripheral Neuropathy” we mean weakness, numbness and pain that are caused because of the nerve damage, whose syndrome is mainly seen in the forearms, hands and in feet. This refers to a series of disorders caused due to the damage to the peripheral nervous system.

Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral Neuropathy

By connecting the brain and spinal cord to the skin, muscles, and other internal organs, including the arms, legs, joints, internal organs, and also the sense organs – mouth, eyes, ears, nose, and skin, the peripheral nervous system formulate an intricate network. The damage to these nerves disturbs the flow of communication between the brain and other parts of the body leading to the damage of the muscle movement, loss of sensation in the fingers, arms, legs, and cause severe pain.

Also Read: Nervous System


Classification of Peripheral Neuropathy

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Neuropathy is classified into the three types which are mentioned below.

  • Motor nerves- Basically, it controls the movement of the muscular body which is used in walking, talking, etc.
  • Sensory nerves- It transmits information such as a light touch or temperature or pain from the injury or pain from the cuts.
  • Autonomic nerves- It regulates regular activities like breathing, digesting food, heart function, etc, i.e those functions which are not controlled by us.
Classification of Peripheral Neuropathy
Classification of Peripheral Neuropathy

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

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Due to peripheral neuropathy, there are many issues. So, to identify that issue some symptoms happen with the human body which is mentioned below.

  • Excessive sweating
  • Constipation
  • Hands and feet become weak
  • Sharp and stabbing pains
  • Tingling in the hands and feet
  • Skin becomes thin
  • Shocking attacks
  • Some issues in digestive systems
  • Some bleedings
Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy
Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

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Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy 

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There are many things due to which peripheral neuropathy produces. The very first reason for neuropathy is diabetes. Both type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes result in this disorder and are termed diabetic polyneuropathy. The other causes of peripheral neurotherapy are listed below. 

  • Hypothyroidism
  • Kidney disorders
  • Deficiency of some vitamins like E, B1, B12, and B6
  • Physical trauma and some injuries to the spinal nerves
  • It creates more effects on drugs, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, etc.

Treatments for the Peripheral Neuropathy 

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Patients who have symptoms of peripheral neuropathy have to be advised to do some tests which are mentioned below on an urgent basis. 

  • Blood tests for the vitamin level checking
  • MRI or CT scans
  • Nerve conduction studies
  • Skin biopsy

After the tests, if there is something positive among the above-mentioned tests then take an action immediately and it can be cured by the antibodies. This medical treatment includes Transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation and Ergonomic casts or splints.

Treatments for the Peripheral Neuropathy 
Treatments for the Peripheral Neuropathy

Neuritis

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This is a general term for an indication of the inflammation of nerves. It includes some effects like pain, paresis, hypoesthesia, etc. 


Causes of Neuritis

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The causes of neuritis are as follows: 

  • Physical injury
  • Inflation
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy

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Things to Remember

  • By the term Peripheral Neuropathy we mean weakness, numbness and pain that are caused because of the nerve damage, whose syndrome is mainly seen in the forearms, hands and in feet. 
  • Neuropathy is classified into the three types: motor nerves, sensory nerves and autonomic nerves.
  • There are many things due to which peripheral neuropathy produces. The very first reason for neuropathy is diabetes. Both type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes result in this disorder and are termed diabetic polyneuropathy. 
  • The other causes of peripheral neurotherapy are hypothyroidism, kidney disorders, deficiency of some vitamins like E, B1, B12, and B6.
  • Patients having peripheral neuropathy are advised to go through these tests, Blood tests for the vitamin level checking, MRI or CT scans, Nerve conduction studies, Skin biopsy. 
  • After the tests, if there is something positive among the above-mentioned tests then take an action immediately and it can be cured by the antibodies. 

Previous Year Questions

  1. Bowman's glands are located in the...[NEET 2007]
  2. A sagittal section of human brain is shown here. Identify at least two labels from A-D....[NEET 2013]
  3. Which one of the following is the correct difference between rod cells and cone cells of our retina ?...[NEET 2008]
  4. Afferent nerve fibre carries impulses from...[NEET 1992]
  5. Alzheimer disease in humans is associated with the deficiency of...[NEET 2009]
  6. Destruction of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord would result in loss of...[NEET 2015]
  7. Function of iris is to...[NEET 1993]
  8. Good vision depends on adequate intake of carotene rich food : Select the best option from the following statements...[NEET 2017]
  9. Injury localized to the hypothalamus would most likely disrupt...[NEET 2014]
  10. Iris is part of...[NEET 1993]
  11. Myelin sheath is produced by….[NEET 2017]
  12. Receptor sites for neurotransmitters are present on :…..[NEET 2017]
  13. A diagram showing axon terminal and synapse is given. Identify correctly at least two of A-D...[NEET 2013]
  14. Injury to vagus nerve in human is not likely to affect...[NEET 2004]
  15. A gymnast is able to balance his body upside down even in the total darkness because of..[NEET 2015]
  16. Light rays entering the eye is controlled by​...[NEET 1993]
  17. What used to be described as Nissel granules in a nerve cell are now identified as​...[NEET 2003]
  18. Which of the following statements is correct?...[NEET 2019]
  19. Which part of the human ear plays no role in hearing as such but is otherwise very much required?….[NEET 2012]
  20. Which part of the brain is responsible for thermoregulation …..[NEET 2019]

Sample Questions

Ques: What are the causes of peripheral neuropathy? (3 marks)

Ans: The causes are fully dependent on the type of neuropathy that you prefer. But trauma is the most common cause of all types of neuropathy. Exposure to chemicals, infection, medications, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and diabetes mellitus are all causes of neuropathy. Also, there are a total of 212 causes identified by scientists and researchers.

Ques: Are there any negative side effects of peripheral Neurotherapy? (2 marks)

Ans: There are almost all medicines that have some side effects and these methods are used to treat nerve pain. As doctors are prescribing anti-seizure medications, one of the treatments has some effects like drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, confusion, etc.

Ques: A 34-year-old woman presents with blurry and dim vision in the left eye and some paresthesias, especially involving the right upper limb. She says that she has had occasional bouts of poor vision over the past few years as well as occasional muscle weakness. What disorder is she most likely experiencing? (1 mark)
(A) Guillain barre syndrome
(B) Multiple sclerosis
(C) Diabetic polyneuropathy
(D) Radiculopathy

Ans: C) Diabetic polyneuropathy

Ques: Which of the following brain structures are the most common sites for the formation of demyelinating plaques in advanced multiple sclerosis? (1 mark)
(A) Cerebral white matter, optic nerve and chiasm, brainstem, and white matter of the spinal cord
(B) Periventricular white matter, optic nerve, brainstem, and grey matter of the spinal cord
(C) Basal ganglia, optic nerve, brain stem, and white matter of the spinal cord 
(D) Periventricular grey matter, optic nerve and chiasm, brainstem, and grey matter of the spinal cord

Ans: B) Periventricular white matter, optic nerve, brainstem, and grey matter of the spinal cord

Ques: Which of the following is an arterial branch of the vertebral system supplying the brain? (1 mark)
(A) Acute pain related to biological and chemical factors
(B) Anxiety-related to change in or threat to health status
(C) Risk for Side effects related to medical therapy
(D) None of these

Ans: B) Anxiety related to change in or threat to health status

Ques: What do you mean by neuritis? Mention its causes. (2 marks)

Ans: This is a general term for an indication of the inflammation of nerves. It includes some effects like pain, paresis, hypoesthesia, etc. 

The causes of neuritis are as follows: 

  • Physical injury
  • Inflation
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy

Ques: What are the classification of peripheral neuropathy? (4 marks)

Ans: Neuropathy is classified into the three types which are mentioned below.

  • Motor nerves- Basically, it controls the movement of the muscular body which is used in walking, talking, etc.
  • Sensory nerves- It transmits information such as a light touch or temperature or pain from the injury or pain from the cuts.
  • Autonomic nerves- It regulates regular activities like breathing, digesting food, heart function, etc, i.e those functions which are not controlled by us.

Ques: What is meant by peripheral neuropathy? (3 marks)

Ans: By the term “Peripheral Neuropathy” we mean weakness, numbness and pain that are caused because of the nerve damage, whose syndrome is mainly seen in the forearms, hands and in feet. This refers to a series of disorders caused due to the damage to the peripheral nervous system.

By connecting the brain and spinal cord to the skin, muscles, and other internal organs, including the arms, legs, joints, internal organs, and also the sense organs – mouth, eyes, ears, nose, and skin, the peripheral nervous system formulate an intricate network. The damage to these nerves disturbs the flow of communication between the brain and other parts of the body leading to the damage of the muscle movement, loss of sensation in the fingers, arms, legs, and cause severe pain.

Ques: What are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy? (3 marks)

Ans: Due to peripheral neuropathy, there are many issues. So, to identify that issue some symptoms happen with the human body which is mentioned below.

  • Excessive sweating
  • Constipation
  • Hands and feet become weak
  • Sharp and stabbing pains
  • Tingling in the hands and feet
  • Skin becomes thin

Ques: What are the prevention measures for the peripheral neuropathy? (2 marks)

Ans: Besides all the medicines and treatment, the patient will also have to maintain a proper diet, include more vitamin-rich food, reduce the intake of sugar, regular exercise to decrease the effect of numbness, to avoid the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, and so on.


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