March 16, 2011 -
PRLog -- Peripheral neuropathy can indeed be a scary condition. As a doctor of podiatry specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral neuropathy I often hear a myriad of symptoms associated with this condition. Some people experience foot pain from neuropathy in feet, others express that their feet feel cold most of the time. Burning feet is another common complaint while others state that they have numbness in their feet toes. Compounding the physical discomfort of neuropathy is that fact the emotional factors associated with peripheral neuropathy, often exacerbate the intensity of the condition. I am specifically referring to the medical terminology of neuropathy. The problem is the peripheral neuropathy language can be confusing and down-right scary. The following is a glossary of terms with hopefully a clear definition to help unravel the mystery of neuropathy.
Sensimotor neuropathy: When just the motor and sensory nerve fibers are affected, the condition is called sensimotor neuropathy.
Diabetic Foot Care:
Diabetic neuropathy:Nerve damage caused by the condition of diabetes. Studies have shown that high levels of glucose have a direct correlation to peripheral nerve damage.
What is Neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy? No matter how it is described, it is still neuropathy. And since neuropathy, by definition, is “a term for all disorders of peripheral nerves,” (per the American Medical Association)
, all neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy. Or, said in the reverse, all peripheral neuropathy—simply put—is neuropathy.
Is it Polyneuropathy?
In addition, polyneuropathy is sometimes thought to be something different; but really is not. Here is a description from The Numb Foot Book, How to treat and Prevent Peripheral Neuropathy, by Alexander McLellan, ND and Marc Spitz, DPM, “Polyneuropathy accounts for the greatest number of peripheral neuropathy conditions.”
Poly is derived from Greek and means “many.” Polyneuropathies occur when one or more nerve types (sensory, motor and autonomic), are simultaneously damaged. They are usually symmetric—meaning that both sides are affected. Even though most polyneuropathies are symmetric, it is common to experience greater symptoms on one side of the body. A person with peripheral neuropathy you may have pain in the feet and experience burning and tingling in both feet, yet one foot may have stronger and more uncomfortable sensations than the other.
Idiopathic Polyneuropathy:
When the origin or cause of peripheral neuropathy is unknown, it is termed idiopathic neuropathy.
CIPD Neuropathy: Acronym for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy-
An acquired neuropathy that causes inflammation of the nerves along with “stripping away” of the outer layer of the nerve. This is an advanced neuropathy that often is associated with extreme neuropathy symptoms.
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The Foot Pain Center was established in 1974 by Dr. Marc Spitz. An all-inclusive practice, we offers comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic medical care for patients with general foot and toenail disorders, diabetic problems and peripheral neuropathy.
