Polyneuropathy

Polyneuropathy
Micrograph showing peripheral neuropathy (vasculitis). Polyneuropathy is peripheral neuropathy occurring in the same areas on both sides of the body.
SpecialtyNeurology Edit this on Wikidata
SymptomsAtaxia[1]
CausesHereditary (Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease), and acquired (alcohol use disorder)[2]
Diagnostic methodNerve conduction study, urinalysis[3][1]
TreatmentOccupational therapy, weight decrease (management)[1]

Polyneuropathy (from Greek poly- 'many' neuro- 'nerve' and -pathy 'sickness') is damage or disease affecting peripheral nerves (peripheral neuropathy) in roughly the same areas on both sides of the body, featuring weakness, numbness, and burning pain.[1] It usually begins in the hands and feet and may progress to the arms and legs and sometimes to other parts of the body where it may affect the autonomic nervous system. It may be acute or chronic. A number of different disorders may cause polyneuropathy, including diabetes and some types of Guillain–Barré syndrome.[4][5][6]

  1. ^ a b c d "Polyneuropathies. Medical information about polyneuropathy | Patient". Patient. Archived from the original on 2016-07-18. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference thr was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference neur was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Richard A C Hughes (23 February 2002). "Clinical review: Peripheral neuropathy". British Medical Journal. 324 (7335): 466–469. doi:10.1136/bmj.324.7335.466. PMC 1122393. PMID 11859051.
  5. ^ Janet M. Torpy; Jennifer L. Kincaid; Richard M. Glass (21 April 2010). "Patient page: Peripheral neuropathy". Journal of the American Medical Association. 303 (15): 1556. doi:10.1001/jama.303.15.1556. PMID 20407067.
  6. ^ "Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet". National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 19 September 2012. Archived from the original on 15 December 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2013.