The neurologist spoke about the causes and consequences of neuropathy

Patients with neuropathy often complain of numbness, tingling, burning, weakness in the arms and legs, or vice versa — increased sensitivity to touch. In some cases, the pain syndrome can be so pronounced that it significantly limits daily activity and disrupts sleep. Galina Chudinskaya, a neurologist at Medicine JSC (Academician Roitberg Clinic), a doctor of the highest category, told Izvestia about this.

"Neuropathy is a complex of diseases. Symptomatic polyneuropathies are more common as a sign that something is not working properly somewhere in the body," the doctor explained.

Chudinskaya emphasized that neuropathy most often develops as a symptom of other diseases. The most common cause is diabetes mellitus, in which prolonged elevated blood glucose levels gradually damage nerve fibers, especially in the lower extremities. The risk of developing diabetic neuropathy directly depends on the duration of the disease and the quality of blood sugar control.

Deficiency of B vitamins, including thiamine, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin and folic acid, plays a significant role in the development of neuropathy. Their deficiency can develop with an unbalanced diet, after surgical interventions on the gastrointestinal tract, with chronic intestinal diseases or against the background of alcohol abuse. The doctor paid special attention to vitamin B12 deficiency, which is manifested by numbness of the extremities, impaired gait and deterioration of cognitive functions.

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Separately, Chudinskaya focused on the toxic effects of alcohol on the peripheral nervous system. Even moderate but regular consumption of alcoholic beverages can lead to the development of alcoholic neuropathy, especially with concomitant vitamin deficiency.

Among other causes of neuropathy, the expert identified autoimmune diseases in which the immune system attacks its own nerve fibers, infectious processes (HIV, hepatitis C, Lyme disease, herpes zoster), endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism), as well as chronic liver and kidney diseases that lead to the accumulation of toxic metabolites.

"A special group consists of hereditary and autoimmune forms of neuropathy, such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. These diseases require a specific approach to diagnosis and treatment," the specialist noted.

Chudinskaya drew attention to the connection of the disease with lifestyle. An unbalanced diet, strict diets, veganism without additional intake of vitamins, as well as excessive physical exertion with existing nerve damage can worsen the symptoms of the disease.

In conclusion, the doctor warned about the danger of the lack of treatment for this ailment. A gradual loss of sensitivity can cause the patient to stop feeling pain, fever, and other important signals, which significantly increases the risk of injury and other serious complications.

Earlier, on March 6, Zarina Kurachinova, chief physician of the federal network of eye clinics World Vision Clinic, told Izvestia about the causes of glaucoma and its symptoms. She cited genetics, high intraocular pressure, vascular problems, and stress as the main reasons.

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