Signs and Symptoms of Neuropathy

Kavya Poornima Balajepalli lost her eyesight at 21 after a brief period of intense headaches due to Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), a rare neurological disorder. Here she talks about her struggles after loss of vision, how she manages her condition and how she became an IIH warrior to create awareness about the disease. Please could you tell us a bit about your background. I am based in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. I did my graduation in architecture from the University of Mumbai…

The prevalence of Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) is as high as 68% of all patients and 30% even six months after chemotherapy. It is important to understand the cause and find ways to deal with the pain. Caregivers should not dismiss the pain. Dr. Shital Raval explains CIPN, the symptoms and approaches for management of CIPN.   When the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord are affected or damaged, it causes a condition called peripheral neuropathy. While…

A 74 year old man Swamy* shares his experience of suddenly developing Peripheral Neuropathy, how it has affected his day to day living and the lifestyle changes he has established to help cope better.   I was diagnosed last year in March 2019. I was at my Chennai home when unexpectedly, I could not walk and my eyes also gave away. I could feel my toes getting numb. I sat down and decided to see a doctor. The next day, I went to Apollo hospital to meet with Dr Ganesh, who is a…

A multifocal approach is required to address the symptoms and treat the cause while providing relief to the patient. Underlying Cause: This entails detecting and treating the original cause of the neuropathy, as that can then lead to recovery by first healing the damaged nerves and regrowth of destroyed nerves. For instance if it is a complication of diabetes, regulating the blood sugar levels, losing weight and exercising morewill be the aim of treatment. For vitamin deficiency, start on B12…

Neuropathy can have a major impact on one’s quality of life, hence incorporating daily management techniques along with treatment can be very helpful. These can be: Dietary changes to include healthy well-balanced meals rich with nutrients and vitamins to fulfill any deficiencies. Quitting alcohol and tobacco use can have immense benefits for the heart, kidney and liver. Loss of excessive body weight is known to greatly improve mobility and health. Daily exercise to strengthen weak muscles is…

A clinical examination is essential to the diagnosis of neuropathy. This will include a thorough medical history (social habits, alcohol/tobacco use, risk of infections, family history etc.), physical exam, and a neurological exam to test the reflexes of the motor and sensory nerves. If suspected of any specific diseases, a blood test may be ordered for diabetes, vitamin deficiency, liver and kidney function etc. In addition, scans such as CT or MRI may be done to investigate the cause of…

Lifestyle changes can prevent risk factors that are likely to induce neuropathy; these include smoking and alcohol cessation, avoiding exposure to toxins, losing weight, eating healthy and correct vitamin deficiencies. If you have a known chronic kidney, systemic or autoimmune disease, make sure to keep it under check. For diabetics, tight control of blood sugar level and daily foot care can be very advantageous. Early recognition and treatment of neuropathy can slow down progression and even…

Types and Complications of Neuropathy There are numerous types of neuropathies identified, based on the types of nerves damaged. There are 3 types of nerve fibers that can be affected and most doctors will use these terms to describe the diagnosis: Motor: these are nerves that control muscle movement e.g. walking, talking, holding etc. Sensory: these are nerves that transmit sensations e.g. pain, touch, temperature etc. Autonomic: these are nerves responsible for regulating unconscious…

The types of nerves affected reflect the symptoms and signs experienced by the patient. Motor Sensory Autonomic Weakness Tingling Sweat excessively or not at all Cramps Numbness Difficulty swallowing Spasms Pain (shooting or stabbing) Nausea and vomiting Difficulty walking or moving Sensitivity to touch (burning sensation) Dizziness or fainting Loss of balance and coordination Difficulty sleeping due to pain Diarrhea or constipation Loss of reflexes Sensation of wearing…

Injury is the most common cause of nerve trauma from accidents, falls, medical procedures, recurring pressureon a nerve etc. Other causes for nerve injury include slipped discs, broken bones, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, ligament/tendon problems etc. Diabetes is the foremost cause of polyneuropathy seen in 60-70% of diabetic patients. Studies show that high blood sugar levels slowly damage the nerves and the blood vessels that supply the nerves with oxygen. Poor glycemic control is the…