Peripheral neuropathy Flashcards
1
Q
What is it
A
Damage to nerves in extremities of body
2
Q
How common is it + who gets it
A
1 in 10 over 55yrs
Diabetes
3
Q
What causes it
A
- Diabetes
- Long-term alcohol abuse
- Low B12
- Trauma
- Low thyroid
- Shingles
- Toxins - arsenic, lead or mercury
- Lyme disease
- Diphtheria + Botulisms
- HIV
- Vasculitis
- Chronic liver disease
- CKD
- lymphoma + multiple myeloma
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth
- Guillain-barre syndrome
- Amyloidosis
- RA
- Lupus
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- MEDICATION
- MS
- idiopathic
4
Q
What is the sensory presentation
A
- Tingling, prickling, pins + needles, numbness
- Cant feel pain, heat/cold
- Sharp/burning pain
- Pain from very light touch (allodynia)
- Sensory ataxia
5
Q
What is the motor presentation
A
- Muscle cramps
- Twitching
- Weakness
- paralysis
- Muscle wasting
- Foot drop
6
Q
What is the autonomic presentation
A
- Constipation, diarrhoea, nausea,
- Bleching, bloating
- Low BP, feeling faint, dizziness
- tachycardia
- not fully emptying bladder, bowel incontinence
- erectile dysfunction
7
Q
What is the mononeuropathy presentation
A
- Sensation change, weakness, eye problems, bell’s palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome
8
Q
What investigations do you perform
A
- Full Hx + exam
- BM
- Nerve conduction test - electrical activity of skin
- electromyography - electrical activity of muscles
- Genetic testing
- Nerve biopsy
- X-ray, CT, MRI
9
Q
How do you treat it
A
- Manage cause e.g. diabetes, pain relief, constipation relief, walking aids,
- CAPSAICIN cream - reduce sensation
- Lidocaine anaesthetic plasters
- Steroids to reduce inflammation
- immunosuppressants + immunoglobulin injection if suitable
SURGERY - amputation
