Peripheral neuropathy
(Redirected from Deafferentation)
Peripheral neuropathy refers to a range of conditions that involve damage to the peripheral nervous system, the vast communication network that transmits information between the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and every other part of the body.
Peripheral nerves send sensory information back to the brain and spinal cord, such as a message that the feet are cold. They also carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles to generate movement. Damage to the peripheral nervous system interferes with these vital connections.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Peripheral neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes is diabetes mellitus.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy often start with numbness, prickling or tingling in the toes or fingers. It can spread up to the legs or hands and cause burning, freezing, throbbing and/or shooting pain that can be worse at night.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy is determined based on medical history, physical examination, and if necessary, specific laboratory tests. The medical history may include questions about lifestyle, exposure to toxins, alcohol use, risk of infectious diseases and family history of neurological diseases.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for peripheral neuropathy depends on the cause. For instance, therapy for peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes involves control of the diabetes. In some cases, over-the-counter pain relievers can provide temporary relief.
See also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD