Neuropathy No More By JODI KNAPP Neuropathy No More is an eBook which is a compilation of all the essential information and details about the nervous system and how to keep it active and healthy. With the help of this program, one can get a relief from the symptoms of neuropathy. This eBook not only tells you about the nervous system, but also helps to provide essential information to get relief from the condition of neuropathy. It also provides information about how you can prevent this condition from coming back in the near future.
What are the main causes of neuropathy?
Neuropathy can be caused by a number of different factors, including underlying medical conditions, lifestyle, injury, and infection. Some of the most frequent causes of neuropathy are outlined below:
1. Diabetes
Diabetic neuropathy is an extremely common cause of neuropathy, especially with long-standing poorly controlled blood glucose levels. High blood sugar destroys the nerves, particularly of the legs and feet, leading to symptoms like tingling, pain, and numbness.
2. Chronic Alcohol Use
Excessive alcohol consumption for extended periods of time may lead to alcoholic neuropathy, in which the direct toxic effect of alcohol on the nerves and lack of essential nutrients (primarily B vitamins) result in damage to the nerves.
3. Vitamin Deficiencies
Deficiency in essential vitamins, particularly Vitamin B12, B1 (thiamine), B6, and folate, might impair nerve functioning. Alcohol abuse, diet, and certain illnesses might cause deficiencies.
4. Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome can cause the immune system to attack the nerves, leading to inflammation and damage.
5. Infections
Certain infections can affect the nerves:
HIV/AIDS: Can lead to neuropathy as the virus attacks nerve tissues.
Lyme disease: Caused by tick bites, it can lead to nerve inflammation.
Shingles (Herpes zoster): The varicella-zoster virus can damage nerves, often leading to postherpetic neuralgia.
6. Trauma or Injury
Physical injury or trauma, such as automobile collisions, falls, or surgery, can actually produce nerve damage directly. Repetitive stress injuries (such as carpal tunnel syndrome) also result in nerve compression.
7. Toxins and Drugs
Chemotherapy drugs, heavy metals (such as lead or mercury), and some medications (such as for HIV or organ transplantation) are neurotoxic and can harm nerves.
8. Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease can lead to the buildup of toxins in the body, which can lead to uremic neuropathy.
9. Hereditary or Genetic Factors
Genetic diseases such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease are inherited conditions that affect peripheral nerves and lead to progressive neuropathy.
10. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroid neuropathy, which occurs due to the inability of the body to generate sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones, is caused by reduced thyroid functions.
11. Chronic Inflammation
Medical disorders like vasculitis or inflammatory neuropathy (inflammation of blood vessels that supply nerves) can cause nerve damage.
12. Metabolic Disorders
Metabolic disorders like liver disease, chronic liver cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease also cause neuropathy due to toxic byproducts and an imbalance of nutrients.
13. Cancer
Cancer and the treatment itself with chemotherapy can also produce neuropathy. Certain cancers (such as lung or prostate cancer) may injure the nerves directly or generate paraneoplastic neuropathy, where the immune system actually attacks the nerves in response to cancer.
14. Blood Sugar Fluctuations (Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia)
Even brief spells of extremely high or low blood sugar levels may damage nerves gradually, especially among individuals with unsuspected or inadequately treated diabetes.
15. Toxin Exposure
Toxins in the environment, including pesticides, solvents, and some industrial chemicals, can cause toxic neuropathy.
16. Age
As age advances, the function of the nerves may also deteriorate, leading to neuropathy, especially when other risk factors such as diabetes or poor circulation are involved.
If you need more specific information on any one cause or how it is treated, please ask!
Neuropathy is diagnosed by combining a thorough medical history, physical examination, and several tests. This is what usually happens:
1. Symptoms and Medical History
The doctor will start asking about:
Symptoms: When, how intense, and of what type (e.g., pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness).
Risk Factors: Diabetes, alcoholism, family neuropathy history, toxin exposure, and recent illnesses.
Medications Used: Certain drugs (like chemotherapy agents) can cause neuropathy.
2. Physical and Neurological Examination
Motor and Sensory Function Tests: The doctor will assess muscle strength, coordination, reflexes, and sensory functions (touch, vibration, temperature, and pain).
Autonomic Function Tests: In case of suspected autonomic neuropathy, tests may involve measuring blood pressure changes upon rising from sitting (orthostatic hypotension), heart rate, and sweating response.
3. Electrodiagnostic Tests
4. Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)
This test determines the speed of electrical impulses in nerves. It can assist us in determining the extent of nerve damage.
Electromyography (EMG)
This test measures electrical movement within muscles and can assist us in detecting nerve damage or muscle involvement.
4. Blood Tests
Blood tests can determine underlying causes such as:
Blood glucose levels (diabetes)
Vitamin deficiency (B12, folate, etc.)
Thyroid function
Autoimmune disorders
Heavy metals/toxins
Markers for infection (e.g., Lyme, HIV)
5. Imaging Tests
MRI or CT scans: These may be done if the neuropathy is thought to be caused by compression or injury to the spinal cord or other parts of the nervous system.
6. Biopsy
In rare cases, a nerve biopsy may be done to examine the tissue under a microscope. This is usually done in the case of small fiber neuropathy or to confirm a diagnosis like amyloid neuropathy.
7. Genetic Testing
If hereditary neuropathy is thought to be the case (such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease), genetic testing might be performed in order to confirm mutations associated with inherited neuropathies.
8. Skin Biopsy
Skin biopsy can be used in diagnosing small fiber neuropathy in order to calculate nerve fiber density. This method is particularly helpful for the identification of nerve damage in the skin’s small sensory fibers.
9. Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)
Under circumstances where a presumed inflammatory or autoimmune etiology is present (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome), lumbar puncture may be performed to check for abnormal protein or inflammatory cells in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Depending on the suspected cause of neuropathy, specific tests are unique and thus must be employed. If you believe you require clarification of specific symptoms or tests, I’m here to explain them for you!
Neuropathy No More By JODI KNAPP Neuropathy No More is an eBook which is a compilation of all the essential information and details about the nervous system and how to keep it active and healthy. With the help of this program, one can get a relief from the symptoms of neuropathy. This eBook not only tells you about the nervous system, but also helps to provide essential information to get relief from the condition of neuropathy. It also provides information about how you can prevent this condition from coming back in the near future.