Peripheral Neuropathy Power point

Peripheral Neuropathy Power point
For under graduate students

1. Peripheral Neuropathy (Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment) By Dr . Kaminee Sahu Faculty Pharmacy, KN Polytechnic College, Jabalpur ,

2. Introduction Peripheral Neuropathy symptoms usually start with numbness, prickling or tingling in the toes or fingers. It may spread up to the feet or hands and cause burning, freezing, throbbing and/or shooting pain that is often worse at night.   The pain can be either constant or periodic, but usually the pain is felt equally on both sides of the body in both hands or in both feet. Some types of peripheral neuropathy develop suddenly, while others progress more slowly over many years.

3. S ymptoms of peripheral neuropathy   A sensation of wearing an invisible “glove” or “sock” Burning sensation or freezing pain Sharp, jabbing, shooting, or electric-like pain Extreme sensitivity to touch Difficulty sleeping because of feet and leg pain Loss of balance and coordination Muscle weakness Muscle cramping/twitching Difficulty walking or moving the arms Unusual sweating Abnormalities in blood pressure or pulse

4. Symptoms contd.. Symptoms such as experiencing weakness or not being able to hold something, not knowing where your feet are, and experiencing pain that feels as if it is stabbing or burning in your limbs, can be common signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. 

5. Symptoms contd.. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may depend on the kind of peripheral nerves that have been damaged.  There are three types of peripheral nerves: motor, sensory and autonomic. Some neuropathies affect all three types of nerves, while others involve only one or two. The majority of people, however, suffer from polyneuropathy, an umbrella term for damage involving many nerves at the same time.

6. C auses of Peripheral N europathy P eople who have a family history of peripheral neuropathy are more likely to develop the disorder. However , a variety of factors and underlying conditions may also cause this condition . Nerve damage caused by diabetes is one of the most common forms of neuropathy. This leads to numbness, pain, and a loss of sensation in the extremities. The risk of neuropathy increases for people who: are overweight have high blood pressure are over the age of 40 and have diabetes

7. Types of Peripheral N erves Motor nerves Sensory nerves Autonomic nerves

8. Motor Nerves Motor nerves send impulses from the brain and spinal cord to all of the muscles in the body. This permits people to do activities like walking, catching a baseball, or moving the fingers to pick something up. Motor nerve damage can lead to muscle weakness, difficulty walking or moving the arms, cramps and spasms.

9. Sensory Nerves Sensory nerves send messages in the other direction from the muscles back to the spinal cord and the brain. Special sensors in the skin and deep inside the body help people identify if an object is sharp, rough, or smooth; if it’s hot or cold; or if it’s standing still or in motion. Sensory nerve damage often results in tingling, numbness, pain, and extreme sensitivity to touch.

10. Autonomic Nerves Autonomic nerves control involuntary or semi-voluntary functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and sweating. When the autonomic nerves are damaged, a person’s heart may beat faster or slower. They may get dizzy when standing up; sweat excessively; or have difficulty sweating at all. In addition, autonomic nerve damage may result in difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, problems with urination, abnormal pupil size, and sexual dysfunction.

11. Diagnosis Peripheral neuropathy has many potential causes. Besides a physical exam, which may include blood tests, diagnosis usually requires: A full medical history.  Your doctor will review your medical history, including your symptoms, your lifestyle, exposure to toxins, drinking habits and a family history of nervous system (neurological) diseases. Neurological examination.  Your doctor might check your tendon reflexes, your muscle strength and tone, your ability to feel certain sensations, and your posture and coordination.

12. Treatment Medicine to treat the pain of peripheral neuropathy can include: Steroids for a short time until a long-term treatment plan is in place Numbing creams or patches Antidepressant medicines, often in smaller doses than are used to treat depression Anti-seizure medicines, which are used to help many types of nerve pain Opioids or narcotics, for when pain is severe

13. Pain Medications Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can be very helpful in controlling moderate pain. If you take them in excess, these drugs can affect your liver or stomach function. It’s important to avoid using them for an extended period, especially if you drink alcohol regularly.

14. Other Treatments Other treatments that have helped some people with nerve pain and its effects include: Electrical nerve stimulation Occupational therapy Physical therapy Relaxation therapy Guided imagery Distraction Acupuncture Biofeedback

15. Self-care In addition to OTC pain relievers, many people have found relief for peripheral neuropathy through: chiropractic care, acupuncture Massage, meditation and yoga. Moderate, regular exercise can also help lessen discomfort .

16. Precautions at home If you have peripheral neuropathy, you’re potentially at greater risk for accidents in the home. You can do the following to improve your safety: Always wear shoes to protect your feet. Keep your floor clear of things that you could trip on. Check the temperature of your bath or dishwater with your elbow, not your hand or foot. Install handrails in your bathtub or shower. Use bath mats that can prevent slipping. Don’t stay in one position for too long. Get up and move around a couple of times each hour. This is especially important for those whose work involves sitting for long periods at a desk.

17. Prevention You can help prevent its onset by doing the following: avoiding alcohol or drinking it only in moderation avoiding smoking or quitting smoking if you smoke eating a healthy diet, getting regular, moderate exercise Further, you can lower your risk of peripheral neuropathy by: knowing what toxins you might be exposed to at work or school protecting your feet during sports, especially those that involve kicking never inhaling toxins like glue to get high If you have diabetes, take special care of your feet. Wash and inspect your feet daily, and keep the skin moist with lotion.

18. Thank you

19. References 1. https:// www.healthline.com/health/peripheral-neuropathy 2. https:// www.cancer.org/latest-news/what-is-peripheral-neuropathy.html 3. https:// www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352067 4. https://www.foundationforpn.org/what-is-peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms/