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Living in Pain: Peripheral Neuropathy
By Donna P. Mitchell
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Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder resulting from an injury to peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerves are located outside the brain and spinal cord and usually limited to your fingers, hands, arms, toes, feet, and legs. There are sensory and motor peripheral nerves which may impact daily functioning. Sensory nerves help you feel pain, temperature, vibration, position, and touch. Motor nerves help you move and maintain muscle tone.

Diabetic damage to autonomic, motor and/or sensory nerves can be results from metabolic and/or vascular changes in patients with long term diabetes mellitus. Symptoms may include loss of sensation, or unpleasant sensations in the feet, loss of ability to maintain focal sensory or motor deficits. Sensory loss in the feet may result in injuries that are undetected. When these injuries are ignored or not detected they may become infected or gangrenous.

Diabetes is not the only cause of peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is also caused by:

• Alcohol abuse
• Cancer treatments
• Some drugs including certain anticancer medications
• Certain kidney diseases
• External pressure on the nerves
• Auto - immune diseases
• Hereditary
• Lead poisoning
• Hypothyroid disease
• Nutritional imbalances, especially vitamin B or E

Here are a few of my favorite links to assist you and love ones in understanding peripheral neuropathies.

Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes

Merck Manuals Online Medical Library
Additional links to various forms of mononeuropathy and polyneuropathy.
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch223/ch223i.html

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse - Diabetic Neuropathy
This web page was created by the US National Institutes of Health and provides very detailed information on diabetic neuropathy. See also NIH NINDS - Peripheral Neuropathy Information Page

The Neuropathy Association
The Neuropathy Association is a public, nonprofit organization that provides general information and support groups

Below are additional organizations that assist with pain management and patient information:

Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Controlling sugar levels, by following diet and exercise may prevent some peripheral neuropathy symptoms in patients with diabetes mellitus. May we all implement the preventive lifestyles necessary for physical, spiritual, mental health and happiness.

Peace and Blessings,
Donna

Donna is an inspirational and business development speaker. Areas include psycho-social issues, sales, marketing and customer service. She is currently a primary care pharmaceutical sales representative. Contact Donna at Donna4RealityChk@aol.com

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