November 17, 2014
After a long conversation with my sister about her recently diagnosed peripheral neuropathy I started thinking about how it might relate to genetics, careers or diseases. After all she is only 56, healthy, active and youthful. She owned a hair salon for 30 years and was on her feet 8 to 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, using all kinds of chemicals. Was this consistent use of hair salon chemicals a contributing factor? Or could it be diabetes which runs in our family?
Symptoms
It’s 6 o'clock in the evening and the front door slams. My sister flops down in a chair and groans, “Oh, God, my feet are killing me!” She flings off her shoe. She sits down and rubs her feet and 10 minutes later the terrible pain has disappeared. It could be a sign of motor nerve damage.
Other signs might be having difficulty walking or running. The old effortless way you bounded up stairs no longer exists. Sometimes you even stumble and become unbalanced for no apparent reason or nighttime cramping becomes a regular occurrence. The arms can be affected, too. You come home from the grocery store and drop the first bag you carry. Soon you're dropping things on a regular basis or having difficulty turning door knobs, opening jars or buttoning buttons.
Neuropathy can be the source of a loss of blood pressure, causing dizziness when standing up and it can affect digestion leading to constipation or diarrhea. You may notice you bruise more easily and it takes longer for cuts to heal and forget those comfortable days at the beach on a warm sunny day... you find you can no longer tolerate the heat.
I realize reading these symptoms may be uncomfortable to take in, but I'm reminded of some of the things my sister has gone through the past several years without knowing what it was. So what it peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nerves that leaves a person feeling numbness, pain or weakness in the hands or feet, although it can be felt anywhere. It starts in the longest nerves, which are the ones that reach to your toes. It can come and go, progress slowly over time, or can be severe and debilitating.
Twenty million Americans suffer from this illness and it can occur at any age although it's more prevalent in older people. About 30 percent of cases are of an unknown cause. Another 30 percent are caused by diabetes but other reasons can be autoimmune disorders, tumors, heredity, nutritional imbalances, infections or toxins. If it's found early it can be controlled.
I believe knowledge is power. So pay attention to your body. Are you having any of these symptoms on a somewhat regular basis? Or like my sister, something just didn't seem right.
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms you should contact your physician. By keeping a log of the occurrences you can help give your physician accurate information about your symptoms. Down the road physical and occupational therapists can help with physical exercises that can help you maintain your physical abilities. The pain and discomforts you have will effect your daily life. But making adjustments that help you with those weaknesses will make the quality of your life even better.