Polyneuropathy refers to conditions in which the peripheral nerves commonly found in our body become diseased. Nerves can become diseased at the ends, diseased along the entire nerve fibers, or diseased at their roots just after they exit the spinal cord. These 3 different types of illness manifest themselves in three different ways.
The best example of getting sick from the ends is the form of polyneuropathy seen in diabetics or those with chronic kidney failure. It can affect both motor and sensory fibers. This type of polyneuropathies develops very slowly, the feet are affected first, and the hands are affected later. If the sensory fibers are affected, numbness occurs and complaints such as burning, tingling and pain are often added. If the motor fibers are affected, weakness occurs. Loss of strength in the feet manifests itself as the tip of the toe rubbing on the ground while walking or difficulty in carrying the slippers while standing.
Polyneuropathies that occur after chemotherapy drugs can be given as an example of disease along all nerve fibers. It affects both the feet and hands, as well as the upper legs and arms, starting soon after taking the medication and becoming rapidly more widespread. Again, both motor and sensory fibers may be affected. Patients experience common symptoms of weakness, such as difficulty in standing.
An example of a disease of the nerve roots is Guillain-Barre syndrome (autoimmune polyneuropathies), which occurs as a result of the immune system attacking its own nerves. In this type of involvement, while there is no problem in the feet and hands, only the upper parts of the legs and arms are affected first, and then the hands and feet are also affected.
However, the examples given above are only for understanding the subject. Both diabetes, chemotherapy drugs and Guillain-Barre syndrome can cause involvement in all three types. The distinction can only be made through neurological examination and tests, especially EMG examination. When autoimmune polyneuropathy is considered, cerebrospinal fluid examinations should also be performed.
Non-genetic polyneuropathies can often be treated. Metabolic or drug-related ones tend to resolve spontaneously after the cause is corrected or eliminated; healing is only supported by medications. ivig, plasmafe for those with autoimmune Treatment options such as resin and steroids may be available. There is a possibility that autoimmune polyneuropathies may become chronic. In this case, long-term immunosuppressive treatments may need to be used.
There are also genetically inherited polyneuropathies. The most common of these is Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. Although these patients have severe nerve disease, they do not complain of serious numbness and loss of strength, but their feet are deformed. There is no cure.
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