[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Peripheral neuropathy, a result of damage to the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves), that could cause weakness, numbness and pain, usually in hands and feet. Peripheral nervous system sends information from your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) to the rest of your body. The peripheral nerves also send sensory information to the central nervous system.

Peripheral neuropathy can consequence from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins. One of the most familiar causes is diabetes.
People with peripheral neuropathy usually express the pain as stabbing, burning or tingling.

Symptoms
Every nerve in peripheral system has a specific function, so symptoms are depending on the type of nerves affected. Nerves are classified into:
Sensory nerves that receive sensation, such as temperature, pain, vibration or touch, from the skin.
Motor nerves that control muscle movement.
Autonomic nerves that control functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, digestion and bladder.

Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy might include:
Gradual onset of numbness, prickling or tingling in feet or hands, which can spread upward into legs and arms
Sharp, jabbing, throbbing or burning pain
Extreme sensitivity to touch
Pain during activities that shouldn’t cause pain, such as pain in your feet when putting weight on them or when they’re under a blanket
Feeling as if you’re wearing gloves or socks when you’re not
Paralysis if motor nerves are affected
Lack of coordination and falling
Muscle weakness
If autonomic nerves are affected, signs and symptoms might include:
Heat intolerance, excessive sweating or not being able to sweat, bowel, bladder or digestive problems, changes in blood pressure, causing dizziness or light-headedness

Causes
Autoimmune diseases. Diabetes, infections, inherited disorders. such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, tumors, bone marrow disorders.
Other causes of neuropathies include:
Alcoholism, exposure to poisons, medications. especially those used to treat cancer (chemotherapy), trauma or pressure on the nerve. vitamin deficiencies. – B vitamins — including B-1, B-6 and B-12 — vitamin E and niacin are crucial to nerve health.

Complications – Burns and skin trauma, infection, falls.

Physiotherapist role:
To improve muscle power
To educate how to prevent injuries and fall
Fall prevention strategies
Application of electrotherapy if required
To improve sensation over the affected areas[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]