Neuropathy
Neuropathy is damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which may be caused either by diseases of or
trauma to the nerve or the side effects of systemic illness. Neuropathy may be associated
with varying combinations of weakness, autonomic changes, and sensory changes.
Loss of muscle bulk or fasciculation, a particular fine twitching of muscle, may be
seen. Sensory symptoms encompass loss of sensation and "positive"
phenomena including pain. Symptoms depend on the type of nerves affected
(motor, sensory, or autonomic) and where the nerves are located in the body.
One or more types of nerves may be affected. Common symptoms associated with
damage to the motor nerve are muscle weakness, cramps, and spasms. Loss of
balance and coordination may also occur. Damage to the sensory nerve can
produce tingling, numbness, and a burning pain. Pain associated with this nerve is
described in various ways such as the following: burning, freezing, or
electric-like, extreme sensitivity to touch. The autonomic nerve damage causes
problems with involuntary functions leading to symptoms such as abnormal blood
pressure and heart rate, reduced ability to perspire, constipation, bladder
dysfunction.
Polyneuropathies are usually caused by processes that affect the body as
a whole. Diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance are the most common causes. Other causes relate
to the particular type of polyneuropathy, and there are many different causes
of each type, including inflammatory diseases such as lyme disease, vitamin
deficiencies, blood disorders, and toxins (including alcohol and certain
prescribed drugs).
Treatments: Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant drug used for neuropathic
pain, tricyclic antidepressant (such as amitriptyline)antiepileptic
therapies such as gabapentin or sodium
valproate, Duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine
reuptake inhibitor, is also
being used to reduce neuropathic pain, Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant drug used for neuropathic
pain.
Prerna Srivastava (M.pharm 2nd year, pharmacology)
