What is Neuropathy

Upon hearing the term, people will immediately ask ‘what is neuropathy.’ This is not uncommon as there are really a lot of people who are intrigued with this term, especially after their doctor has told them they are suffering from it. Before defining what this condition is, let us first take a look at the literal definition of the word.

Neuropathy comes from two words which are: Neuro and Pathy. In the medical field, neuro means nerves while pathy means abnormal. When these two words are combined, it means that the nerves are abnormal. And this is exactly what it is.

Neuropathy is a medical condition wherein the nerves have been damaged. The nerves have been known to send information to and from the spinal cord and the brain. Because of this damage, patients can experience common symptoms such as pain, numbness, and an inability of controlling muscle movement.

Often, it is associated with Peripheral neuropathy which is the nerves that are further from the center of the body. Some of the common areas where this condition is felt are in the hands and feet. Typically, the painful experience can be described as burning or tingling, while the numbness can be compared as wearing a glove or a thin stocking.

There are many causes for this condition. Some instances are a result of infections, traumatic injuries, exposure to toxins, and metabolic problems. But largely, the common cause for this condition is diabetes.

In most cases, the symptoms of neuropathy can improve over time. This is especially true if the condition has only been caused by an underlying situation that can still be treated. However, there are already several known medications that are known to reduce the painful symptoms neuropathy can bring to its patients.

After asking ‘what is neuropathy,’ the next common question people have is what its symptoms are. Aside from the ones mentioned above, there are still a number of other symptoms that can be experienced. But mostly, those that have been already mentioned are the most common.