This document summarizes peripheral neuropathy, which can be acute or chronic and affect single or multiple nerves. Acute neuropathies are medical emergencies, while neuropathy due to diabetes or alcohol can be diagnosed in primary care. Neurophysiological tests distinguish nerve damage types. Demyelinating neuropathies are often inflammatory and treatable, while axonal neuropathies have multiple causes. Management includes foot care and pain treatment. Mononeuropathy involves a single nerve from trauma or compression. Mononeuropathy multiplex refers to involvement of multiple noncontiguous nerves from vasculitis. Neuropathy symptoms like loss of foot sensation can lead to foot problems and amputation if untreated.

1. PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
SUMMARY
By Gia K. Sharma
Instructor Dr. Andre Cervantes
CASHU, Belize
30th July 2013

2. Summary
 Peripheral neuropathy can be into divided into
acute and chronic forms, symmetrical
polyneuropathy, and multiple mononeuropathy
 Acute neuropathies are diagnostic
emergencies
 Neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus and
alcohol misuse can be diagnosed in primary
care
 Neurophysiological tests distinguish axonal
from demyelinating neuropathies

3.  Demyelinating neuropathies are commonly
inflammatory and treatable
 Axonal neuropathies have multiple causes
 Generic management includes foot care, ankle
supports, and treatment of neuropathic pain.
 Mononeuropathy refers to focal involvement
of a single nerve, usually due to a local cause
such as trauma, compression, or entrapment.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common example
of a mononeuropathy.
 Mononeuropathy multiplex refers to
simultaneous or sequential involvement of
noncontiguous nerve trunks. Used loosely, this
term can refer to multiple compressive
mononeuropathies

4.  It identifies multiple nerve infarcts due to a
systemic vasculitic process that affects the
vasa nervorum.
 Diseases of the central nervous system such
as a brain tumor, stroke, or spinal cord lesion
occasionally present with symptoms that are
difficult to distinguish from polyneuropathy.
 Loss of the protective sensation-the reduced
ability to feel pain-in the feet may lead to the
formation of calluses and blisters, bone and
joint problems, infection, and foot ulcers
 Reduced feeling in the feet can also alter a
person's step, leading to bone or joint
problems

5.  If untreated, foot problems can become so
severe that the foot or lower leg may have to
be amputated
 Kidney problems. These can lead to toxic
substances in the blood that damage nerves.
 Vitamin deficiencies and alcoholism. Not
getting enough nutrients, such as vitamin B12, can damage nerves. Overuse of alcohol and
not eating a healthy diet can lead to these
vitamin deficiencies.
 Infectious or inflammatory diseases, such as
HIV or Guillain-Barr syndrome. These
diseases can damage the central and
peripheral nerves.
 Exposure to toxic substances, such as
arsenic, or by certain medicines such as those
used for chemotherapy.