What is the difference between peripheral neuropathy and polyneuropathy

Want to use this article elsewhere? Get Permissions. Read the Issue. Sign Up Now. Previous: Diagnosis and Treatment of Urethritis in Men. Apr 1, Issue. Peripheral Neuropathy: Differential Diagnosis and Management. C 5 Electrodiagnostic studies are recommended if symptoms persist and if the diagnosis remains unclear after initial diagnostic testing and a careful history and physical examination.

C 4 , 5 Options for symptomatic treatment of peripheral neuropathy include antiseizure medications, tricyclic antidepressants, and topical medications.

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More in Pubmed Citation Related Articles. Email Alerts Don't miss a single issue. Sign up for the free AFP email table of contents. Navigate this Article. Human immunodeficiency virus test. Carcinoma paraneoplastic syndrome. Chronic liver disease. Mainly demyelinating, especially in viral hepatitis.

Hepatic transaminase, bilirubin, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase levels. Critical illness neuropathy. Usually acute or subacute. No specific laboratory test. Chronic; axonal may predominate. Fasting blood glucose level, glucose tolerance test, A1C level. End-stage renal disease. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Usually acute or subacute, but can be chronic. Thyroid-stimulating hormone level.

Phenolic glycolipid-1 antibody, skin biopsy. Monoclonal gammopathy. Urine and serum protein electrophoresis with immunofixation. Axonal damage predominates after treatment. May have some axonal damage. Most common; may have some axonal damage. Demyelinating features often predominate. Rapid plasma reagin, VDRL, cerebrospinal fluid analysis.

Vitamin B 6 deficiency. Sensory more than motor. Vitamin B 6 level. Vitamin B 12 deficiency. Peripheral neuropathy is intermixed with upper motor neuron signs.

CBC; vitamin B 12 and homocysteine levels; methylmalonic acid test. Amiodarone Cordarone. Mainly axonal with sensorimotor. Unlike nerve cells in the central nervous system, peripheral nerve cells continue to grow throughout life. Some forms of neuropathy involve damage to only one nerve called mononeuropathy. Neuropathy affecting two or more nerves in different areas is called multiple mononeuropathy or mononeuropathy multiplex.

More often, many or most of the nerves are affected called polyneuropathy. Neuropathy is often misdiagnosed due to its complex array of symptoms.

More than types of peripheral neuropathy have been identified, each with its own symptoms and prognosis. Symptoms vary depending on the type of nerves—motor, sensory, or autonomic—that are damaged. Most neuropathies affect all three types of nerve fibers to varying degrees; others primarily affect one or two types. Doctors use terms such as predominantly motor neuropathy, predominantly sensory neuropathy, sensory-motor neuropathy, or autonomic neuropathy to describe different conditions.

In severe cases, such neuropathies can spread upwards toward the central parts of the body. In non-length dependent polyneuropathies, the symptoms can start more toward the torso, or are patchy. Motor nerve damage is most commonly associated with muscle weakness. Other symptoms include painful cramps, fasciculations uncontrolled muscle twitching visible under the skin and muscle shrinking.

Sensory nerve damage causes various symptoms because sensory nerves have a broad range of functions. Autonomic nerve damage affects the axons in small-fiber neuropathies. Common symptoms include excess sweating, heat intolerance, inability to expand and contract the small blood vessels that regulate blood pressure, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Although rare, some people develop problems eating or swallowing if the nerves that control the esophagus are affected. There are several types of peripheral neuropathies, the most common of which is linked to diabetes. Common types of focal located to just one part of the body mononeuropathy include carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the hand and the wrist, and meralgia paresthetica, which causes numbness and tingling on one thigh.

Complex regional pain syndrome is a class of lingering neuropathies where small-fibers are mostly damaged. Acquired neuropathies are either symptomatic the result of another disorder or condition; see below or idiopathic meaning it has no known cause. Genetically-caused polyneuropathies are rare.

Genetic mutations can either be inherited or arise de novo , meaning they are completely new mutations to an individual and are not present in either parent. Some genetic mutations lead to mild neuropathies with symptoms that begin in early adulthood and result in little, if any, significant impairment.

More severe hereditary neuropathies often appear in infancy or childhood. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, also known as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders.

The small-fiber neuropathies that present with pain, itch, and autonomic symptoms also can be genetic. As our understanding of genetic disorders increases, many new genes are being associated with peripheral neuropathy. The bewildering array and variability of symptoms that neuropathies can cause often makes diagnosis difficult. A diagnosis of neuropathy typically includes:. Managing any underlying conditions can help to prevent the onset of the condition.

Those with diabetes and other conditions related to polyneuropathy should closely follow the treatment plan devised by their doctor, as well as ensure that they attend all check-ups. The outlook for polyneuropathy varies and can depend on the underlying cause, which nerves are damaged and the extent of the damage. For some people, treating the underlying cause can lead to improvements. For others, the damage is permanent. In some cases, symptoms may get worse over time. If any of the symptoms of polyneuropathy are experienced such as weakness, pain, or tingling in the hands or feet it is important to see a doctor.

Implementing a treatment plan as soon as possible is important to manage symptoms and prevent further nerve damage.

A look at chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy CIDP , a condition that leads to nerve damage. Included is detail on treatment. Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that affects a range of nerves in the bodies of some people with diabetes. It can lead to paralysis and might have…. Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder that causes abrupt, searing pain in the face and jaw.

It affects about one million people worldwide and is…. Demyelination is damage to the myelin layer, or the protective coating of nerve cells. This can lead to neurological problems, including slow reflexes. When a person has diabetes, their body does not manage blood sugar correctly, leading to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream. It can also affect other areas and body functions including digestion, urination and circulation.

Your peripheral nervous system sends information from your brain and spinal cord central nervous system to the rest of your body.

The peripheral nerves also send sensory information to the central nervous system. Peripheral neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes is diabetes.

People with peripheral neuropathy generally describe the pain as stabbing, burning or tingling. In many cases, symptoms improve, especially if caused by a treatable condition. Medications can reduce the pain of peripheral neuropathy. Every nerve in your peripheral system has a specific function, so symptoms depend on the type of nerves affected.

Nerves are classified into:. Peripheral neuropathy can affect one nerve mononeuropathy , two or more nerves in different areas multiple mononeuropathy , or many nerves polyneuropathy.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of mononeuropathy. Most people with peripheral neuropathy have polyneuropathy. Seek medical care right away if you notice unusual tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet. Early diagnosis and treatment offer the best chance for controlling your symptoms and preventing further damage to your peripheral nerves.