Peripheral neuropathy is one problem that can make you so worried..
While some try to cure their problem, most of them just ignore or manage the symptoms of the problem..
So is this right? How bad can peripheral neuropathy get in reality? What are the Long Term Effects of Peripheral Neuropathy and finally can a person die from this growing problem?
How bad can Peripheral Neuropathy get?
In order to know the complications or effects of peripheral neuropathy, you need to first know some deep things about this annoying problem.
Peripheral neuropathy is that one problem in which the nerves of the peripheral nervous system are damaged and destroyed.
The peripheral nervous system is the connection of nerves from the brain to all the parts of the body. So when these nerves are damaged, the signals from the organ to the brain gets disrupted, causing the complete malfunction of the organ.
Though there are a number of causes of peripheral neuropathy, diabetes is one the main reason for the cause of this nerve damage. According to a study, it was found that more than 60% of people with diabetes have some sort of nerve damage.
What happens when neuropathy gets worse: The 7 Complications
Do you know why a person feels so depressed and worried if he is affected by peripheral neuropathy? This is because neuropathy can have a deep impact on one’s entire life.
The biggest problem of peripheral neuropathy is that it can affect nerves of any type (effecting entire body). This includes..
- The sensory Nerves – The nerves that signal sensations like pain, touch, temperature etc.
- The Autonomic Nerves – The nerves that signal automatic functions like heart rate, bladder release etc
- The Motor Nerves – The nerves that signal and control the movements of the muscles
1. Paralysis:
Motor nerves are the ones which control the muscle movements. So when peripheral neuropathy affects the motor nerves, the nerves between the muscle and the brain are damaged.
This can sometimes result in complete paralysis of certain parts of the body. Thus once you are affected by peripheral neuropathy and paralysis, you may completely lose control of those parts of the body.
2. Urine Leakage:
This is one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to people with peripheral neuropathy. In general, the nerves are the key to control one’s bladder and its functions.
So, as the peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves controlling the bladder, this may result in a problem called bladder incontinence. In other words, bladder leakage. Thus especially men who are affected by this cannot control urine flow and are prone to bladder leakage.
3. Unbearable stabbing Pain:
In the peripheral neuropathy, the nerves are completely damaged. Thus due to this, there are always wrong signals send to the brain. Sometimes, you won’t feel any pain even after you are wounded. But at times, you tend to feel a stabbing intense pain, without any reason.
This pain is generally so severe and intense. Often some people even claim that their pain is completely unbearable and they are forced to take painkillers every day.
4. Muscle atrophy:
In the peripheral neuropathy, the nerves are completely damaged. Thus due to this, there are always wrong signals send to the brain. Sometimes, you won’t feel any pain even after you are wounded. But at times, you tend to feel a stabbing intense pain, without any reason.
This pain is generally so severe and intense. Often some people even claim that their pain is completely unbearable and they are forced to take painkillers every day.
5. Increased infections and wounds:
What happens if a particular part is completely numb? You will not feel the wounds, cuts and even damage happening to that particular part. In almost all the cases of peripheral neuropathy, you fail to feel the pain and temperatures properly at that part.
So, this can severely result in unknowingly burning or hurting yourself. This is the reason, many peripheral neuropathy patients suffer foot ulcers and deep cuts. Moreover, if he or she is a diabetes patient, they fail to heal and can get infected completely.
6. Blood pressure and Heart problems:
As peripheral neuropathy affects nerves of any type, it can also damage the autonomic nerves which are very important. As the autonomic nerves control core functions of the body, damage to them can have a serious impact on the entire systems of the body.
In many cases, you may experience severe problems with blood pressure, uncontrolled heart rate and sometimes even breathing problems.
7. Effects Everyday activities:
Every day we perform a number of activities with our hands and legs. The Peripheral neuropathy, on the other hand mainly affects the legs and hands. Thus this completely disturbs and interfere your everyday activities.
All the daily basic activities like driving, holding something, standing properly, tying shoelaces, etc everything is affected. Thus the peripheral neuropathy can have a serious impact on one’s social, work, and even personal life.
Finally, can you die from peripheral neuropathy?
I know you may feel a bit weird, but the straight answer to this question is Yes. According to William Lee, a famous diabetes researcher, it was possible that peripheral neuropathy, at times can disrupt the autonomic nerves thus causing the complete failure of one’s heart.
But don’t worry this happens only in rare cases.
