Meaning of polyneuropathy and mononeuropathy

When there is a pressure on the nerves due to wrong posture, then the muscles will become numb and there can be weakness in the muscle as well. This condition is called mononeuropathy. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome is a problem of the median nerve of the wrist and peroneal neuropathy refers to the peroneal nerve near the knee.

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome will include numbness or weakness of the thumb, first finger and second finger. However the small finger is not affected by these nerves. In the peroneal neuropathy you may experience weakness of the feet and numbness can be experienced along the top of the foot as well.

The difference between mononeuropathy and polyneuropathy is that the pressure on the nerves is affecting more than one nerve at the same time and this can be a more complex exercise, because with the single nerves, it is the smaller nerves that get affected where there is a multiple problem then the larger nerves get affected.

Since the largest nerves of the body are those going from the spine down to the feet, then the first symptoms of polyneuropathy will affect the feet. This is a disease that travels in a pattern increasing its area of damage. However, normally you can see that it works on a automatic pattern in regards to the long nerve fibers starting from the feet upwards towards the knees and by the time it has reached the knees you may also be having problems with your hands which will continue to grow towards your arms. This is called the stocking-glove pattern.

Since the symptoms of polyneuropathy are very specific it is very easy for doctors to diagnose this kind of disorder, however there are other tests that are also able to confirm the symptoms and its diagnoses. Polyneuropathy is a condition that has been caused by certain kinds of diseases and it is not a disease in itself.

People suffering from diabetes and blood sugar are very apt to get these kinds of conditions, however, this does not really have anything to do with the time period of your diabetes, and this condition varies from patient to patient. You will find diabetic patients that have never had polyneuropathy disorders and you will find resent cases of diabetes showing symptoms of this disorder at the beginning of their illness.

So far, there is no cure to this discomforting disorder, however, the medical practice advices to try and keep the blood sugar levels under control to avoid the recurrence. Another very important factor that needs to be understood is the excessive use of alcohol. It has been seen that people that are heavy drinkers tend to have worse problems than the regular drinkers.

Vitamins and minerals play a very important role in the nervous system and keeping a healthy diet and vitamin supplements will also help your body stay fit and healthy and you will be able to avoid these conditions altogether.

There is evidence of the disease being a hereditary one and it has been seen that people suffering from polyneuropathy will have children that will also have the same problems at some stage in their lives.

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