Hiv Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of nerve (s) outside the brain and spinal cord. Patients with peripheral neuropathy may have tingling, numbness, unusual sensations, weakness or a burning sensation.

Peripheral nerves also send sensory information to the brain and spinal cord like a message that the feet are cold or a finger is burned. Damage to the peripheral nervous system interferes with these vital links. Like static on a telephone line, peripheral neuropathy distorts and sometimes interrupts messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Because every peripheral nerve has a highly specialized function in a specific part of the body, a wide range of symptoms can occur when nerves are damaged.

Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the functioning of nerves outside the spinal cord. Symptoms may include numbness, weakness, burning pain (especially at night), and loss of reflexes. Possible causes include carpal tunnel syndrome, meralgia paresthetica, vitamins and nutritional deficiencies, and diseases such as diabetes, syphilis, AIDS and renal failure. Most causes of peripheral neuropathy can be successfully treated or prevented.

Damage to nerves of the peripheral neuropathy usually occurs as a complication of another disorder such as diabetes or AIDS, or as a reaction to drugs or chemicals. Nerve damage can lead to viral and bacterial infections, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, cancer, vitamin deficiency, kidney disease, liver disease, or hereditary diseases. Other causes of peripheral neuropathy include trauma, penetrating injuries, contusions, fractures and dislocated bones. Nerve damage can also result from prolonged exposure to cold or heat therapy for cancer, vomiting (which may occur in early pregnancy), and various other causes.

Peripheral neuropathy can sometimes be caused by HIV, but is most often a side effect of medications. Sometimes neuropathy can be caused by vitamin deficiencies or diabetes. The diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy is a physical examination. Tests of vitamin B12 levels, thyroid function and glucose levels are also used to check vitamin deficiency or diabetes. If peripheral neuropathy is caused by a drug, symptoms improve once the medication is stopped, although it may take 6-8 weeks and the pain may get worse for some time.

No medical treatments exist that can cure inherited peripheral neuropathy. However, there are therapies for many other forms. In general, adopting healthy lifestyle habits - such as maintaining optimal weight, avoiding exposure to toxins, following an exercise program supervised by a physician, a balanced diet to correction of vitamin deficiencies, and limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption - can reduce the physical and emotional effects of peripheral neuropathy. Systemic diseases frequently require more complex treatments.

In general, drug therapy, peripheral neuropathy is individualized for each patient and depends on a number of factors that your doctor will take into consideration such as your medical history, past and present, the magnitude of pain, other medicines you take, the presence of other severe comorbidities (such as kidney disease, liver disease) and history of drug allergy. Most drugs used to treat peripheral neuropathy are used off-label, meaning they are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating other conditions (no neuropathy), but it has been demonstrated over time to be effective also for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy.