| Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that occurs when | | | | cancer treatment, particularly if a patient is treated |
| the peripheral nervous system becomes damaged by | | | | with vincristine, metronidazole or isoniazid. If the |
| disease, trauma or toxins. The condition can result in | | | | cause of peripheral neuropathy cannot be |
| a person being unable to detect heat, cold and pain. | | | | determined, the condition is referred to as idiopathic |
| There is often numbness or tingling in the hands or | | | | peripheral neuropathy. |
| the feet. If the motor nerves are affected, a person | | | | If you are diagnosed with one of the above |
| may find that he is particularly weak or even | | | | diseases, speak with your doctor about peripheral |
| paralyzed in one of his limbs. | | | | neuropathy and how you can prevent the onset of |
| Peripheral neuropathy is commonly associated with | | | | this condition. Often taking good care of your body |
| diabetes, but other diseases are known to cause the | | | | is the first step. Develop a daily health regimen that |
| condition as well. Damage to the peripheral nervous | | | | includes: a healthy diet rich in vitamins, balanced blood |
| system can occur after shingles. It can also result | | | | glucose levels, exercise, limited alcohol and no |
| from vitamin deficiency (particularly vitamin B12), | | | | smoking. The goal is to keep your nervous system |
| exposure to toxins such as pesticides and lead as | | | | in tip-top shape and prevent future damage. If you |
| well as overuse of alcohol. (People who contract | | | | experience the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy |
| peripheral neuropathy from any cause can help to | | | | (burning, numbness or tingling in your limbs, etc.) but |
| treat symptoms of the disease with vitamin therapy | | | | are NOT diagnosed with any of the above conditions, |
| and by cutting back on substances that are bad for | | | | see your doctor as soon as possible. The |
| your circulation and nervous system such as alcohol | | | | symptoms may be the sign of a complex, systematic |
| and cigarettes.) Peripheral neuropathy is sometimes | | | | problem that requires full-body treatment. |
| associated with autoimmune diseases such as lupus, | | | | Although there is no medical treatment that can cure |
| Guillain-Barre syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis as well as | | | | peripheral neuropathy, there are therapeutic |
| genetic disorders such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth | | | | treatments that can help eliminate painful |
| disease. Damage to the peripheral nervous system | | | | symptoms. Speak with your doctor about specific |
| can occur as a side effect of AIDS or as a side | | | | treatments that are right for you. |
| effect of an AIDS treatment. The same is true for | | | | |