Polineuropathy (abbreviated PNP) - is a violation of the peripheral nervous system. Among the common symptoms, there is a decrease in the sensitivity of any part of the body, depending on which group of nerves is damaged, but often affects limbs, tongue, palate, and pharynx. Also, PNP is manifested by a decrease in motor ability, muscle pain.
The treatment of polyneuropathy is long and difficult, often it takes on a chronic and progressive nature.
Causes of polyneuropathy of lower extremities
To determine the causes of polyneuropathy, you need to understand the subject of study, namely - what is the peripheral nervous system.
The PNS consists of long nerve cell processes that transmit signals and thus reproduce sensory and motor functions. They are closely connected with the spinal cord by finding their nuclei there. When they leave the cerebral cortex, they begin to be classified as peripheral nerve fibers. At the output they are intertwined with the autonomic nerves and thus there are full peripheral nerves.
When polyneuropathy occurs, a certain part of the peripheral nerves is affected, and accordingly, the symptoms are observed in localized areas. On the extremities, polyneuropathy manifests itself symmetrically.
Depending on which nerves are damaged, several types of polyneuropathies are made:
- With motor damage, the neurons responsible for movement, so this ability can be severely lost with this kind of polyneuropathy.
- When sensory fibers are affected, responsible for sensitivity, which is severely impaired when this group of neurons is affected.
- When vegetative there is a violation of vegetative regulatory functions: hypothermia, atony, etc.
Among the main causes of polyneuropathy are the following:
- hereditary;
- autoimmune;
- metabolic;
- alimentary;
- toxic;
- infectious-toxic.
In the area that is affected by polyneuropathy, there are two:
- axonal - the axial cylinder is affected;
- demyelinating - myelin is affected.
Axonal polyneuropathy of the lower extremities occurs with all types of disease. The difference lies in the prevalence of the disorder - it can be a decrease in sensitivity or a violation of the motor function. Considering the fact that polyneuropathy has a progressive character, in the overwhelming majority sensitivity and motor ability are first broken. In some cases, sensitivity is maintained, and movements are limited.
With dismetabolic polyneuropathy of the lower extremities, the nerve fiber membrane is damaged and this leads to painful sensations.
Polyneuropathy of the lower limbs - treatment
In toxic polyneuropathy of the lower limbs, medicines are used to purify blood from harmful substances, and then the means for limb development are used. LFK exercises are prescribed, which are very effective in motor disorders.
With distal sensory polyneuropathy of the lower extremities
Treatment of sensory polyneuropathy of the lower extremities also consists in local treatment - various ointments are used (for example, Balsamed).
To reduce pain, analgesics are used topically in the form of ointments or inside. In the absence of effect, antidepressants are used.
In autoimmune polyneuropathy, prednisolone and membrane plasmapheresis are prescribed.