(Nerve Pain · Peripheral Neuropathy)

In this condition factsheet:

• The facts on Neuropathy


• Causes of Neuropathy


• Symptoms and Complications of Neuropathy


• Diagnosing Neuropathy


• Treating and Preventing Neuropathy

Diagnosing Neuropathy

Your doctor can usually diagnose neuropathy from the pattern of symptoms and the neurological examination.

Electromyography (EMG), a technique that measures electrical activity in the muscles, may provide more information about the neuropathy. In this technique, small needles are put into the muscle. Every time the muscle contracts, it creates electricity. The electrical signals are recorded as spikes on a screen and are also played back as sound. People with neuropathy have abnormal electrical activity in their muscles because of the damaged nerves that control those muscles. Nerve conduction studies can also be used. They measure how quickly electrical signals travel through the nerves that control movement (motor nerves) or sensation (sensory nerves).

It's also important for the doctor to find out what is causing the neuropathy. Blood tests can sometimes tell if it's due to metal poisoning, diabetes, a vitamin deficiency, kidney failure, or a genetic disease. Urine tests may diagnose heavy metal poisoning or cancer.

Unfortunately, none of these tests alone can diagnose Guillain-Barré syndrome. In suspected Guillain-Barré syndrome patients, lab tests are done mainly to rule out other possible causes. Sometimes a small amount of spinal fluid is removed through a very fine needle (lumbar puncture) to look for increased amounts of protein or abnormal cells. In rare cases, a muscle or nerve biopsy may be done.

Treating and Preventing Neuropathy

Avoiding repetitive movements that could put pressure on the nerves can prevent mononeuropathy. For example, if you use a computer all day, make sure to adjust the angle of the keyboard so you don't hyperextend your wrists.

You need to release the pressure on the damaged nerve in order to relieve mononeuropathy. You can do this either with physical therapy, by avoiding the cause of the pressure, with the use of splints (especially when sleeping), or with surgery. In mild cases, over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen*, naproxen) may also be helpful.

The treatment of polyneuropathy depends on what caused it. Polyneuropathy related to diabetes requires that the blood sugar levels be carefully controlled. If cancer related, treating the underlying cancer may alleviate the neuropathy. If a specific treatment isn't available, the pain associated with the neuropathy can usually be helped with medications. Several medications such as amitriptyline, carbamazepine, gabapentin, duloxetine, lamotrigine, pregabalin, and topiramate, as well as cannabis and its derivatives, have been used to relieve the pain of neuropathy. Lidocaine injections and patches may be useful when applied over the painful area. Capsaicin cream can also be helpful, but many people do not tolerate the initial burning sensation associated with it. Neuropathic pain that does not respond to usual treatment may require treatment with opioid pain medications (e.g., oxycodone, morphine, tramadol).

Since it can get worse very quickly, people with suspected Guillain-Barré syndrome should be rushed to the hospital. Their breathing will be monitored, and they will need physiotherapy to loosen tight muscles. Once the doctors are sure it is Guillain-Barré syndrome, the person may receive treatment with plasmapheresis (to remove antibodies from the blood) and immunoglobulins. If someone with Guillain-Barré syndrome is treated early, they can get better in a matter of days or weeks. Otherwise, it may takes a few months, but most people do recover.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Neuropathy

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