Download Peripheral Neuropathy

Understanding
Peripheral
Neuropathy
Patient Care Series
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
What are the symptoms?
Peripheral Neuropathy is caused by damage to
The first symptoms may present over a period
How is Peripheral
Neuropathy diagnosed?
the peripheral nervous system, the complicated
of days, weeks or years and will vary depending
Diagnosing is often difficult because the
network of nerves that connect the brain and
on which type of nerve or nerves have been
symptoms are highly variable. A complete medical
spinal cord to the limbs, muscles, skin and
damaged. Symptoms, most commonly start
exam, including family history of illness and
internal organs. In some cases it is thought to be
in the longest nerves (the nerves that reach to
documentation of both past and present
autoimmune-related, which means the symptoms
the fingers and toes) and can include muscle
symptoms, is the first step. Several additional tests
and resulting conditions are caused by an immune
weakness and possibly paralysis if motor nerves
can be used to confirm Peripheral Neuropathy.
response that triggers the body to attack its
have been affected.
own tissues.
Peripheral Neuropathy may involve damage to just
one nerve or to several nerves. When multiple nerves
are affected, it is referred to as Polyneuropathy.
Nerves that may be affected include the sensory
nerves that receive sensations such as heat, pain
or touch; motor nerves that control how muscles
move; and autonomic nerves that control functions
such as blood pressure, heart rate, digestion and
bladder function.
Who is affected?
The disease is a fairly common illness that affects
more than 25 million people each year in the U.S.
Anyone can develop it, but the disease is most
prevalent in the elderly.
What causes Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral Neuropathy has been associated with
many medical and autoimmune conditions, but it
is most often caused by diabetes. Approximately
60% of all diabetics suffer from some form of
Peripheral Neuropathy, also called
Diabetic Neuropathy.
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Other potential symptoms of Peripheral
Neuropathy include:
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Burning pain in the hands and feet
Sharp, stabbing electric shock type pain
Grip problems
Feeling as if wearing invisible gloves
A full neurological exam, including an
Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve
Conduction Study (NCS) to measure the
electrical activity in the muscles
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Imaging tests such as a CT or MRI to rule out
other sources of muscle weakness and pain
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Blood tests to look at conditions such as
or stockings
vitamin deficiencies, blood sugar level and
Sensitivity to pain, touch and temperature
thyroid, liver and kidney function.
Loss of coordination
Bowel and bladder dysfunction
What is the prognosis?
Constant sweating
A long-term prognosis is difficult to make, but the
Abnormal blood pressure
earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chance the
nerve damage can be slowed or reversed. The
underlying disease also impacts the outcome, which
ranges from reversible problems to potentially fatal
complications. Recovery can last from weeks to
years and is directly tied to the extent of the nerve
damage, the patient’s age and overall health status.
How is Peripheral
Neuropathy treated?
How do I learn more?
Several medications, as well as steroids,
questions about IVIg or your personal treatment.
plasmapheresis (blood filtering procedure)
and anti-seizure medicines are treatments for
Peripheral Neuropathy.
Contact your doctor or nurse to discuss specific
For additional information, please access
the following:
Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIg) is also used
National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Strokes (NINDS)
in some cases, and is also used to treat patients
www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy
suffering from other forms of neuropathy as well.
What is Immune Globulin (IgG)?
Immune Globulin is made of purified antibodies,
which are proteins made by the immune system
to defend the body against infection. In people
with Peripheral Neuropathy, the IgG antibodies
block the person’s malfunctioning immune
process to prevent the nerve damage that
Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS)
www.pnsociety.com
AxelaCare Health Solutions
www.axelacare.com
All information, treatment descriptions and links are
intended for educational purposes only. Talk to
your doctor before making any lifestyle or
treatment changes.
causes muscle weakness.
When IgG is administered intravenously (through
the vein), it is referred to as IVIg. Many patients
receive the first dose by a specially trained
nurse in a hospital or specialized infusion suite.
Subsequent IgG treatments can be given in the
comfort of the patient’s home.
PN 1.3