Neuropathy: Neuropathy is a term that refers to malfunctions or diseases of the nerves. Types of neuropathy include diabetic neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, ulnar neuropathy, optic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, alcoholic neuropathy, proximal neuropathy, cranial neuropathy, auditory neuropathy, and focal neuropathy. Causes of neuropathy can be disease, injury, infections, or vitamin deficiencies. Symptoms of neuropathy depend on the nerves involved. Treatment is generally medication and lifestyle changes to prevent further nerve damage.

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Doctor's Notes on Neuropathy Symptoms

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Alcoholism

Alcohol problems vary in severity from mild to life-threatening and affect the individual, the person's family, and society in numerous adverse ways. Signs of a drinking problem include insomnia, loss of employment, blackouts, depression, auto accidents, bruises, frequent falls, and anxiety. Treatment involves stabilization, detoxification, and rehabilitation of the alcohol-dependent person.
Can Peripheral Neuropathy Go Away

Peripheral neuropathy does not go away on its own. It describes conditions that involve damage to the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord. Neuropathy may involve damage to only one nerve (mononeuropathy), two or more nerves in different areas (multiple mononeuropathy or mononeuropathy multiplex), or may affect many or most of the nerves (polyneuropathy).
Chronic Kidney Disease

Twenty percent of people over the age of 20 years will develop chronic kidney disease in their lifetime. Chronic kidney disease causes are diseases of the kidney(s), diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, Glomerulonephritis, polycystic disease, medications, and other conditions. Symptoms include; fatigue, nausea and vomiting, edema, itching, easy bruising, anemia, headaches, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, chest pain, and more. Treatment for kidney disease generally involves dialysis, or kidney transplantation depending on the condition of the person and kidney(s).
HIV/AIDS

HIV has killed about 25 million individuals, and approximately 40 million people are currently living with the disease. Symptoms and signs of HIV include fever, headache, tiredness, and enlarged lymph nodes. Infections that happen with AIDS are called opportunistic infections. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. Treatment usually involves a combination of at least three drugs to suppress the virus from replicating and boost the immune system.
Lyme Disease

Lyme disease, sometimes referred to as Lyme infection, is a bacterial illness, transmitted to humans by the bite of deer ticks (Ixodes ticks) carrying a bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms and signs include a red bull's-eye rash and flu-like illness in the early stages of Lyme disease. Doctors will treat primary or early Lyme disease with oral antibiotics including doxycycline, penicillins, or erythromycin.
Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness in the US and worldwide. Diabetic eye disease is a complication from diabetes. Types of diabetic eye disease include blindness, background diabetic retinopathy, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy includes blurry or hazy vision, difficulty focusing, and night glare from oncoming lights. Causes of diabetic eye disease occur over time due to hypoglycemia (high blood sugar) and other abnormalities in metabolism found in people with diabetes. Treatment for diabetes eye problems depends on the type of eye problem. Medication and surgery for diabetes eye problems may be necessary in addition to lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercise, quitting smoking.
Diabetic Foot Care

Read about diabetic foot care. Causes of foot problems in people with diabetes include footwear, nerve damage, poor circulation, trauma, infections, and smoking. Symptoms and signs of foot problems in persons with diabetes include persistent pain, redness of the skin, leg or feet swelling, claudication, hard shiny skin on the legs, localized warmth around the wound, drainage or pus from the would, difficulty walking, fever, red streaking away from the wound, new or lasting numbness in the legs or feet. Any break in the skin can result in a serious infection. Treatment depends upon the location and severity of the wound or problem. Amputation of the leg or foot is sometimes necessary.
Impotence/Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) or male impotence is defined as the inability of a man to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for mutually satisfactory intercourse with his partner. ED treatment may involve medications, lifestyle changes, vacuum devices, or surgery.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system in which the myelin sheath that insulates nerves deteriorates, causing loss of sensation and muscle weakness. The cause of the disease, also called polyneuropathy, is unknown. Doctors theorize it is an autoimmune disorder. Treatment includes supportive care and plasmapheresis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (often called RA) is a chronic (long-standing) disease that damages the joints of the body. Symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain, swelling, inflammation, stiffness, warmth, muscle aches, weakness, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and malaise. Treatment may involve physical therapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, heat and cold treatments, joint replacements, and medications.
Shingles

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Initially, the virus causes chickenpox. The virus remains dormant in the body until the virus is reactivated by a trigger such as stress, fatigue, cancer, radiation treatments, injury, HIV/AIDS, or a weakened immune system. Symptoms include pain in a broad band on one side of the body, fever, chills, headache, itching, and a red, raised rash. Treatment may incorporate pain medication, applying cool compresses, and avoiding skin-to-skin contact with others.
Syphilis

Syphilis is a contagious bacterial infection transmitted most often through sexual intercourse. Flulike symptoms, body rash, and swollen lymph nodes. Late-phase syphilis attacks the heart, brain, skin, and bones. Late-stage syphilis is rare since the discovery of the antibiotic penicillin, which is used to treat this sexually transmitted disease (STD).
What Triggers Neuropathy

Neuropathy, or nerve pain, is caused by genetics or is acquired, such as from trauma, infection or an autoimmune disorder like diabetes.

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Diabetic Neuropathy FAQs MedicineNet doctors answer common frequently asked questions regarding Diabetic Neuropathy.

Expert Views and News

Alcohol May Trigger Neuropathy, Even With Diabetes
Peripheral Neuropathy Rates Alarming
Some Antibiotics Linked to Serious Nerve Damage
Cymbalta May Relieve Chemo-induced Pain, Tingling
CDC: Big Drop in Diabetes Amputations
Nerve Damage May Play a Role in ED
Genetic Clue to Painful Peripheral Neuropathy

Neuropathy Topic Guide - Visuals

Slideshows, Pictures, Images, and Quizzes:

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Diabetes: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment
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Diabetes: Guide to Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Quiz

Diabetic Neuropathy Quiz
Slideshow

Exercises for DPN
Slideshow

Why Are My Hands and Feet Tingling?

Neuropathy Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins

Medications:

Pregabalin

Pregabalin is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Pregabalin also aff...learn more »

Duloxetine

Duloxetine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant (SNRI)...learn more »

Tramadol

Tramadol is an pain medicine similar to an opioid. Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain...learn more »

Gabapentin

Gabapentin is used together with other medicines to treat partial seizures in adults and children at least 3 years old.

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Venlafaxine

Venlafaxine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant...learn more »

Carbamazepine (oral)

Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant that is used to treat seizures and nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Carbamazepine is also ...learn more »