Neuropathies

Neuropathy is a collective neurological term for various degenerative-dystrophic damages of peripheral nerves.

This is a generalizing concept that unites diverse forms and types of nerve disorders that explains this pathology wide occurrence. This term is confusing, and many specialists apply it for non-inflammatory nerve mutations. In paediatric neurology, the term “neuropathy” means increased child irritability combined with fatigue.

Causes of neuropathy

Causes of peripheral nerves disorders can be different:

1. Nerve compression
2. Blood supply and nerve nourishment (ischemia) disturbance
3. Inflammatory condition
4. Intoxication

The compression is effected by muscles, ligaments, bone structures (so-called “tunnel neuropathies”) and tumour. Neuropathy can occur as a result of integrity damage of medullary nerve sheath. Quite often neuropathy occurs on the background of metabolic disorders, vitamin starvation, vascular and infectious diseases, atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypothyroidism and oncological diseases.

There is also such a notion as “idiopathic neuropathy” when it is not possible to identify the true cause of nerve disorder.

The predisposing factors of neuropathies include alcohol addiction, hyponutrition, vitamins and trace elements deficiency (vitamin B12, folic acid), certain types of professional activity and drug administration.

There is also an anatomical predisposition of neuropathy development – it is the superficial peripheral nerves arrangement, as well as the skeletal and muscular-ligamentous channels narrowness.

Depending on nerves being affected by disease, monopathy (nerve disorder) and polyneuropathy (symmetrical simultaneous several nerves disorders) are distinguished.

Symptoms of neuropathy

Clinical manifestations of neuropathy directly depend on its localization, peripheral nerve affection. Each type of neuropathy has its own specific symptoms. In addition, the symptoms may be different depending on which of nerve function is impaired – motor, sensory, or autonomic. If motor impairment prevails, the patient will complain of muscular arms and legs weakness, stoop and stretch joint discomfort, gait disturbance (with sciatic nerve neuropathy), involuntary muscle contractions (clonus), motor dysfunction.

When the sensory nerves are disturbed, the clinical findings consist of pain at the lesion zone or along the nerve path (by type of neuralgia), increased, decreased or perverted sensitivity, tingling sensation or heat.

Vegetative disorders are manifested in the form of redness or skin blanching, its dryness, hidrosis disorder, swelling, and burning sensation.

The main types of neuropathies:

1. Facial neuropathy
2. Trifacial neuropathy
3. Radial nerve neuropathy
4. Ulnar nerve neuropathy
5. Median nerve neuropathy
6. Sciatic nerve neuropathy
7. Peroneal nerve neuropathy
8. Tibial nerve neuropathy

Specialists of “Bersenev’s Medical Centre” have an extensive experience working with all kinds of neuropathies. By applying to our clinic, you will receive a qualified neurological consultation and learn the ways of neuropathy treatment. We offer a unique metameric method of treatment, consisting of a set of measures aimed at pain reducing and functional restoration of the damaged nervous structures.

Treatment of neuropathies is a long process, which depends on the nerve fiber damage degree, the patient’s age, body weight and concomitant diseases. The doctors of “Bersenev’s Medical Centre” develop an individual and rehabilitation program for home treatment; this program allows achieving the clinical improvement.

To avoid the severe consequences of neuropathies (possible muscle atrophy, trophic disorders), you should make an appointment with a neurologist and to start the complex treatment of this disease as soon as possible.

To make an appointment for a consultation or neuropathy treatment session, please, call (044) 238-22-31 (call centre).