Neuropathy Affects Over 20 Million Americans and Is Often Misdiagnosed

Peripheral Neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nerves – the motor, sensory and autonomic nerves that connect the spinal cord to muscles, skin and internal organs. It usually affects the hands and feet, causing weakness, numbness, tingling and pain.

Peripheral neuropathy’s course is variable: It can come and go, slowly progressing over many years, or it can become severe and debilitating. However, if diagnosed early, peripheral neuropathy can often be controlled.

Motor nerves send impulses from the brain and spine to all 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.

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.

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

Neuropathy is a serious medical condition that gets worse over time. If the damaged nerves are left untreated, further damage is expected, causing more pain and symptoms, and long term medical issues.