Misdiagnosis of Underlying Causes of Peripheral neuropathy
| About underlying conditions: With a diagnosis of Peripheral neuropathy, it is important to consider whether there is an underlying condition causing Peripheral neuropathy. These are other medical conditions that may possibly cause Peripheral neuropathy. For general information on this form of misdiagnosis, see Underlying Condition Misdiagnosis or Overview of Misdiagnosis |
Underlying conditions list: The list of possible underlying conditions mentioned in various sources for Peripheral neuropathy includes:
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy - diabetes is a very common cause
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome - a genetic syndrome causing peripheral neuropathy
- Uremia
- AIDs
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Nerve entrapment
- Nerve compression
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Trauma
- Penetrating injuries
- Contusions
- Fractures
- Dislocated bones
- Prolonged use of crutches
- Staying in one position for too long
- Tumor
- Intraneural hemorrhage
- Cold exposure
- Radiation exposure
- Certain medicines
- Certain toxic substances
- Atherosclerosis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Scleroderma
- Sarcoidosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Polyarteritis nodosa
Peripheral neuropathy as a complication: Other conditions that might have Peripheral neuropathy as a complication might be potential underlying conditions. The list of conditions listing Peripheral neuropathy as a complication includes:
- Alcoholism
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
- Diabetes
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
- Lupus
- Pinched Nerve
- Polyarteritis nodosa
- Porphyria
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
Peripheral neuropathy as a symptom: Conditions listing Peripheral neuropathy as a symptom may also be potential underlying conditions:
Underlying conditions discussion: Many neuropathies have well-defined causes such as diabetes, uremia, AIDs, or nutritional deficiencies. In fact, diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy. Other causes include mechanical pressure such as compression or entrapment, direct trauma, penetrating injuries, contusions, fracture or dislocated bones; pressure involving the superficial nerves (ulnar, radial, or peroneal) which can result from prolonged use of crutches or staying in one position for too long, or from a tumor; intraneural hemorrhage; exposure to cold or radiation or, rarely, certain medicines or toxic substances; and vascular or collagen disorders such as atherosclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and polyarteritis nodosa.
A common example of entrapment neuropathy is carpal tunnel syndrome,
which has become more common because of the increasing use of computers.
Although the causes of peripheral neuropathy are diverse, they produce
common symptoms including weakness, numbness, paresthesia (abnormal
sensations such as burning, tickling, pricking or tingling) and pain in
the arms, hands, legs and/or feet. A large number of cases are of unknown
cause.
1
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from NINDS Peripheral Neuropathy Information Page: NINDS
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