Peripheral Neuropathy – What It Is, Why It Occurs, and How to Treat It

To feel various stimuli, our body relies on a multitude of nerves we have in our upper and lower limbs. Their malfunction can lead to various sensations, from numbness to intense pain. One of the diseases associated with these manifestations is peripheral neuropathy. This is a condition that can occur in people of various age groups, having several causes.

What is peripheral neuropathy? A condition of the peripheral nervous system, which falls within the scope of neurological disorders. What distinguishes it from other diseases of the same type is its very complex symptomatology, which differs from individual to individual. How can it be diagnosed given this particularity? The neurologist is the one who can make a definitive diagnosis and offer various treatment alternatives.

Below, we will discover what peripheral neuropathy is and how it manifests. We will also learn about its types, especially considering that its nature matters in the correct treatment of the condition.

Peripheral Neuropathy – What It Is and Its Types

Peripheral neuropathy is a neurological spectrum disorder of the peripheral nerves, as its name suggests. When these nerves degrade or are injured, pain or sensations of weakness and numbness in the hands and feet can occur. To understand how the condition arises, we first need to know what these nerves are and what their role is in the body.

What Are Peripheral Nerves?

Peripheral nerves are the nerves that connect the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, to the rest of the body’s organs, reaching the extremities. They are divided into:

• sensory and sensorimotor nerves, which are responsible for transmitting information from the hands and feet (extremities) to the central nervous system, so that the latter can transmit the impulses necessary for carrying out an action;
• motor nerves, which take the impulse from the central nervous system and carry it to the muscles that contract and perform various actions;
• autonomic or vegetative nerves, which are involved in the most important functions of the body.

Therefore, peripheral nerves play a very important role in the overall health of our body. Since peripheral neuropathy can occur as a result of their injury, it is very important to preserve their integrity. The simplest and most natural method is to integrate vitamin B into your diet.

A product rich in this nutrient is Premium Aronia Vitamin B-Complex, a supplement that contains the entire range of B vitamins, vitamin C, and aronia juice in high concentrations, as well as other nutrients that contribute to the health of the entire body. For the nervous system, vitamin B3 is the one with the most benefits, helping it to function optimally.

The B Vitamin Complex comes in liquid form, containing demineralized ultrapure water with a neutral pH, making it easy to consume and integrate into any diet. In addition to its benefits for the nervous system, it also helps maintain the health of the heart, eyes, skin, hair, nails, and even the brain connected to all peripheral nerves.

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How Many Types of Peripheral Neuropathy Are There

Due to its complexity, peripheral neuropathy is divided into several types. More precisely:

• diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which occurs due to high blood sugar levels;
• alcoholic peripheral neuropathy, which occurs as a result of excessive alcohol consumption;
• sensory and sensorimotor neuropathy, which occurs as a result of damage to sensory and sensorimotor nerves;
• hereditary neuropathy, which, as its name suggests, is transmitted genetically from parents to children;
• motor neuropathy, which affects motor nerves and can cause paralysis;
• sensorimotor neuropathy, which affects motor and sensory nerves at the same time;
• autonomic neuropathy, which affects vegetative nerves, among the most important being those that control breathing and those that regulate blood pressure;
• multiple mononeuropathy, which affects several nerves or nerve trunks at the same time;
• polyneuropathy or idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, which affects all peripheral nerves and is caused by multiple factors, often of unknown origin.

Among all of these, the most common are diabetic, alcoholic, sensory/sensorimotor, and idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. Is this disease curable? The answer is that nerve endings cannot regenerate in any of its forms; the disorder can only be controlled.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of this condition. This happens due to high blood sugar levels, which lead to diabetes. Between 60% and 70% of people with diabetes also suffer from peripheral neuropathy.

Why does diabetic peripheral neuropathy occur? Because high blood glucose levels affect the small blood vessels that supply the nerves in the hands and feet. Thus, the symptoms of neuropathic disease are predominantly manifested in those suffering from diabetes.

Sensory and Sensorimotor Peripheral Neuropathy

Two other types of peripheral neuropathy are sensory and sensorimotor. These affect nerves with the same names. Thus, certain bodily functions are no longer performed correctly, which can lead to symptoms such as muscle weakness and numbness.

Peripheral sensory neuropathy affects the nerves responsible for transmitting sensations from the brain to the body. It can occur for several reasons, including certain traumas, but also other various pathologies, such as metabolic imbalances.

Peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy affects sensorimotor nerves. These perceive sensations such as temperature, pain, or touch. When affected by the disease, these senses are diminished. What causes this type of neuropathy? They can be multiple, including trauma, but also various autoimmune conditions.

The symptoms of sensory and sensorimotor peripheral neuropathies are similar to those of other types of the disease and require complex investigations for determination.

Alcoholic Peripheral Neuropathy

Another type of peripheral neuropathy is alcoholic neuropathy. It occurs as a result of excessive alcohol consumption, which leads to nerve damage. Thus, sensations of numbness in the hands and feet appear.

Alcoholic peripheral neuropathy has a long-term progression, with the first sensations of numbness appearing first in the sole and the top of the foot. Moreover, the symptoms of the condition are quite varied, which can make the disease quite difficult to diagnose. In addition to common signs, it also has some specific ones, including paresthesia, nausea, and vomiting. Also, in advanced cases, muscle atrophy may even occur.

Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy

Another category of this disease is idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. This is also quite common and more difficult to diagnose. Why? Because its causes are often unknown.

Almost 30% of cases of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy have an unknown etiology, but prediabetes may be implicated in its occurrence in many people.

Peripheral Neuropathy – Causes and Symptoms

After learning what peripheral neuropathy is and what its types are, it is important to also look at its possible causes. The first and primary one is damage to the nerve endings of the upper and lower limbs. Why do they occur? They are determined by quite a few factors.

Peripheral Neuropathy and Determining Factors

When we talk about peripheral neuropathy, we can consider external or mechanical and internal factors. Thus, both our behavior, lifestyle, and certain pre-existing diseases can lead to its onset.

Regarding external factors, any trauma or injury to the hands and feet can sensitize nerve endings, causing the disease. Also, certain medications administered for other conditions can cause peripheral neuropathy. Exposure to harmful chemicals can also lead to the onset of neuropathic disorder.

When we talk about internal factors that can cause neuropathy, infections and certain diseases are responsible for its occurrence.

Diseases and Infections That Can Lead to Peripheral Neuropathy

Here are the main internal causes of peripheral neuropathy:

• diabetes is, without a doubt, the most important cause and source of peripheral neuropathy;
• autoimmune diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can lead to inflammation in the body;
• infections such as HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis;
• malignant and benign tumors;
• various kidney and thyroid diseases.

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In addition to these, we must not forget alcohol consumption, which is a common cause of alcoholic peripheral neuropathy.

How does peripheral neuropathy manifest and whom does it affect? It can have quite a few symptoms. Therefore, multiple tests are needed for diagnosis. Regarding the categories of people predisposed to the disease, adults with diabetes are those at the highest risk.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy can have several symptoms, especially considering that it has multiple types and can have multiple causes. The most common are:

• numbness and tingling in the hands and feet are the first and most common signs of neuropathy, regardless of its type;
• pain and/or muscle weakness is another universal symptom of peripheral neuropathy;
• difficulty controlling muscles is also associated with peripheral neuropathy;
• digestive problems are common symptoms in sensory and sensorimotor peripheral neuropathies;
• sexual dysfunction is also a sign of possible peripheral neuropathy;
• excessive sweating and difficulty controlling the bladder, as well as difficulty defecating are symptoms of peripheral neuropathy affecting the autonomic nerves.

In severe cases, peripheral neuropathy can even lead to paralysis. Therefore, it is very important to see a neurologist for a correct diagnosis as quickly as possible.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Diagnosis and Treatment

If we are wondering if neuropathy is curable, we must actually look at the way to control the disease, because nerves cannot regenerate. This can be done by seeing a neurologist for diagnosis. They will perform the following tests during the consultation:

• certain blood tests to detect possible inflammation in the body, autoimmune diseases, or even nutritional problems;
• imaging analyses, including CT and MRI, which are performed to rule out the presence of tumors;
• electromyography, which focuses on the electrical activity of muscles, more precisely the transmission of impulses to muscles and their ability to contract.

All of these will be correlated with the patient’s medical history for a correct diagnosis.

How Is Peripheral Neuropathy Treated

Peripheral nerves cannot repair themselves, but through various therapies, they can regain their functions. This happens gradually. As treatment options, the doctor may recommend:

• medication, which can also target the diseases causing peripheral neuropathy, including hypothyroidism and diabetes;
• physical therapy, recommended when both the peripheral nervous system and sensory and motor functions are affected;
• surgical approach available when there are tumors or masses that lead to damage to peripheral nerves.

Medication may include analgesics, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as creams or ointments based on capsaicin and lidocaine. Among the physical therapies that work are physical therapy and acupuncture.

Diet is also equally important in treating peripheral neuropathy.

Diet in Peripheral Neuropathy

Diet is very important in treating and controlling peripheral neuropathy. Diet is very important because the disease is associated with conditions like diabetes, but also because it can cause digestive problems.

What can a patient with peripheral neuropathy consume? Here are some ideas:

• fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans;
• products rich in omega-3 and vitamin B, which help reduce pain;
• fatty fish, such as salmon, halibut, and mackerel.

Regarding products to avoid in the peripheral neuropathy diet, sugar, alcohol, and foods high in gluten are among those that should not be consumed.

In conclusion, peripheral neuropathy is a neurological condition that affects the nerve endings in the hands and feet. It predominantly occurs in diabetic individuals but can also be induced by excessive alcohol consumption, which are its most common types. The causes of acquiring this condition can be external (trauma or medication use) or internal (certain diseases or infections in the body). Its symptoms are quite varied, but numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness are often the most common. Its diagnosis can only be made by a neurologist, who will also prescribe the treatment. This can be medication-based, but physical therapy is also a common approach, as peripheral neuropathy is not curable. Along with a diet rich in fiber, omega-3, and vitamin B, the disease can be kept under control.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1074084/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352067

https://diabetesjournals.org/clinical/article/23/1/9/1269/Management-of-Diabetic-Peripheral-Neuropathy

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