• Diabetes is the cause of

  Nerve disease

  the most common

  People with diabetes are more than 50% more likely to develop peripheral neuropathy.

• People with

  peripheral neuropathy 

  The pain is often described as stabbing, burning, or like a crawling insect.

  Most symptoms improved

  when properly treated

• Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy

  It doesn't seem harsh.

  But if left

  Unknowingly it can cause wounds.

  have an infection

  Including falls and falls

  from postural disorders

  can result in injury

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy

is a disease of the peripheral nervous system.

This results from damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

It can be caused by injury, infection, metabolic problems.

toxic exposure

And the most common cause is diabetes.

This causes weakness, numbness and pain, which usually occurs in the hands and feet.

It may also affect organs and bodily functions such as the digestive system.

Urinary excretion

and blood circulation

people with peripheral neuropathy

The pain is often described as stabbing, burning, or like a crawling insect.

Most symptoms improved

when properly treated

Peripheral nerves have specific functions.

Therefore, the symptoms will depend on the type of nerve affected:

peripheral neuropathy

Common symptoms include:

• Initial numbness, tingling, or tingling in the feet or hands

  which can spread to the legs and arms

• It felt like being pierced by a sharp object.

  or burning pain

• very sensitive to touch

• Pain during activities that shouldn't cause pain, such as foot pain when applying weight

  or under a blanket

• Loss of balance and falling easily

• muscle weakness

• Feeling like you are wearing gloves or socks when you are not wearing them

• Paralysis if nerve impulses

  severely injured

• intolerance to heat

• Excessive sweating or inability to sweat

• Bowel and bladder problems

  or digestive system

• drop in blood pressure

  causing dizziness or fainting

Causes of peripheral neuropathy

peripheral neuropathy

It is nerve damage caused by various conditions.

Factors that may increase the risk of disease include:

• autoimmune disease

  including Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Guillain-Barré syndrome

  Guillain-barre syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and necrotizing vasculitis.

• Diabetes is the most common cause.

  People with diabetes are more than 50% more likely to develop peripheral neuropathy.

• Infections, either viral or bacterial, such as Lyme disease, shingles, epsteinbar virus infection

  Epstein-barr virus, hepatitis B and C, leprosy, diphtheria and HIV infection.

• genetics, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

  which is a hereditary neurological disease

• tumor and cancer

  that spreads to the nerve or presses on the nerve

• bone marrow disorders

  Monoclonal gammopathies (monoclonal gammopathies) and bone cancer

  Lymphoma

• Other diseases include kidney disease, liver disease, connective tissue disorders.

  and underactive thyroid disease

  (Hypothyroidism)

• alcoholism

  May lead to vitamin deficiency

• exposure to toxic substances such as lead and mercury

• certain medications, especially those used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)

• Nerve compression injury from an accident, fall, or playing sports

  that can damage peripheral nerves

  It may also be caused by pressure from the cast or use of crutches.

• Deficiencies of vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin E and niacin, which are important for nerves.

Complications caused by peripheral neuropathy

• Wounds on the skin

  because the patient feels numb

  Resulting in no pain until severe wounds

• infection when wounds occur

  It can lead to infection unknowingly.

  Therefore, the patient should regularly take care of the numb area.

  and treat minor injuries before they become infected.

  especially diabetic patients

• Falling, muscle weakness and loss of sensation

  May cause the body to lose balance and fall easily.

  
  

Diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy

The doctor will take a history and symptoms.

Then examine the body, especially the affected area.

including blood tests to determine the cause

In addition, additional examinations may be sent as follows:

• Check nerve function (NCV) with electrical stimulation.

  by bringing electrodes (Electrode) attached to the skin

  to measure signal velocity and nerve strength

• Electromyographic (EMG) examination by inserting a needle through the skin

  to measure the electrical activity of the muscles

  may be performed in conjunction with nerve function tests

• X-Ray (X-Ray)

• Computed tomography (CT-Scan)

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Examine other nervous system functions

Treatment of peripheral neuropathy

Treatment of peripheral neuropathy

Aims to alleviate symptoms.

By treating the disease or condition that causes it as follows

• Pain relievers such as anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for mild cases

• Opioid-containing prescription-only medications

  Used for treatment in case of ineffective treatment by other methods

• topical medications, such as ointments or pastes

  to reduce pain

• Using electrical nerve stimulation through the skin

  (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) to reduce pain.

  It generally took about 30 minutes a day for a period of 1 month.

• lymphatic exchange

  Plasmapheresis is the removal of antibodies and proteins from the blood.

  and bring the filtered blood back into the body

  (Some cases may vary from patient to patient.)

• Immunoglobulin (Intravenous immunoglobulin) Patients receive high levels of protein.

  that act like antibodies

  to suppress the immune system

  In the case of patients with inflammation

  (Some cases may differ from patient to patient.)

• surgery to relieve pressure

  In case the patient is caused by nerve compression, such as compression from a tumor

• physical therapy to help improve movement of the body

  Including the use of crutches, walking sticks, wheelchairs or walking aids.

6 ways to reduce nerve pain

peripheral neuropathy

It is a popular disease of people in the digital age.

who spends time with sitting in the same posture

Go with a smartphone up to 7-8 hours a day with the habit of sitting and using the wrist repeatedly.

It can result in pain and numbness in the hands and feet.

It doesn't seem harsh.

But if left

Unknowingly it can cause wounds.

have an infection

Including falls and falls

from postural disorders

can result in injury

If there is a risk of developing peripheral neuropathy

should receive regular annual health checks

when abnormal symptoms are found

should hurry to see a doctor

for diagnosis and treatment

to reduce possible peripheral nerve damage

The most important thing is to take care of your health.

including behavior modification

that may result in nerve compression

Article by : Dr. Thaninchitra Poonpetphan, M.D.

Neurology Specialist at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital