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neuropathy newsletter |
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Suffering from Painful, Numb and Burning Feet? You’re Not Alone! March 2007 The condition is called peripheral neuropathy and is due to damage to the nerves. It is estimated that twenty million Americans suffer from this condition, and these numbers are increasing at a rapid pace. Ten times as many people are afflicted with peripheral neuropathy as compared to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Why is peripheral neuropathy on the rise? There are many known causes attributed to nerve damage. Diabetes is the most common condition associated with peripheral neuropathy. High blood sugar levels over a period of time can cause the cover of the nerve (called myelin), to "be stripped away." Diabetes is on the rise, particularly among the baby-boomer population. Many post chemotherapy patients are prone to developing peripheral neuropathy. Chemotherapy agents can be remarkable successful in treating cancer; many of these drugs, however, can be damaging to the nerves. Other common causes of this condition include lower back problems, such as spinal stenosis, Vitamin B deficiency, viral infection, anemia and excessive alcohol intake. Certain medications have been implicated, such as the statin class of drugs that helps lower cholesterol. Heredity and exposure to certain environmental toxins are suggested as well. Surprisingly in over 40% of people with peripheral neuropathy, there is no attributable cause. This is called idiopathic neuropathy. Hope on the Horizon There is hope on the horizon. Millions of dollars in research money and grants are being used to find better treatments and ultimately a cure. For more information on peripheral neuropathy, you may visit neuropathy.org. |
