neuropátiája

Neuropathy is a broad term for conditions involving damage to the peripheral nervous system. It can affect sensory nerves, causing numbness, tingling, or pain; motor nerves, leading to weakness or loss of coordination; or autonomic nerves, which control involuntary functions such as heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. When a single nerve is damaged, it is called mononeuropathy; when multiple nerves are affected in a widespread pattern, it is polyneuropathy, the most common form. Autonomic neuropathy refers to dysfunction of involuntary bodily functions and can occur alone or with other neuropathies.

Causes of neuropathy are diverse. Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause in many populations. Other common contributors include vitamin deficiencies (notably vitamin B12), alcoholism, toxins (for example, certain chemotherapy agents and heavy metals), autoimmune disorders (such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy), infections (HIV, Lyme disease), kidney or liver disease, and inherited disorders such as Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease. Nerve injury or chronic compression can also produce mononeuropathy.

Symptoms and diagnosis vary by nerve involvement but often include persistent numbness or burning pain, sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness, impaired coordination, or autonomic symptoms like dizziness on standing or digestive irregularities. Diagnosis typically involves medical history and neurological examination, supported by tests such as nerve conduction studies and electromyography, blood and urine tests to identify underlying causes, and sometimes imaging, nerve biopsy, or autonomic testing.

Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause where possible, relieving symptoms, and maintaining function. This can include glucose control in diabetes, vitamin supplementation, toxin avoidance, immunotherapy for autoimmune neuropathies, and pain management with medications, topical treatments, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Prognosis depends on the cause and extent of nerve damage, with some cases reversible and others chronic.