NEUROPATHY

Peripheral neuropathies include disorders of peripheral nerve cells and fibers. Most frequently encountered symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include weakness, paresthesias like numbness, pain, burning senstation, pinprick sensations and loss of sensations. Peripheral neuropathies usually develop over months to years, while some may develop more rapidly and be progressive. Peripheral neuropathies must be addressed before they result in complications, such as falls with subsequent hip fractures or pedal infections necessitating amputation.

Causes include

• Diabetes mellitus
• Chronic alcoholism
• Nutritional deficiencies (eg, B1, B6, B12, and vitamin E)
• Inflammatory conditions (eg, Guillain-Barre syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy)
• Autoimmune disease (eg, Sjögren syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis)
• Infections (eg, Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C, shingles, leprosy, HIV)
• Toxins (heavy metals, chemicals)
• Medications (antibiotics, cardiovascular medications)
• Tumors (secondary to compression or associated paraneoplastic syndromes)
• Inherited conditions (eg, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, familial amyloidosis)
• Trauma or injury