Diabetic neuropathy patients comprise about 60% of all neuropathy patients.
People with diabetes have a damage in specific nerve fibers in all nerves, mostly those that travel to the legs and feet.
However, about 40% of neuroapthy patients don’t suffer from diabetic neuropathy. They sometimes have what is called idiopathic neuropathy which is a neuropathy of unknown cause.
People with non-diabetic neuropathy tend to suffer mostly from one of the following:
1. Vitamin B1, B12 and folate deficiencies.
2. Excessive alcohol intake.
3. Traumatic injuries such as from car accidents.
4. Chemotherapy treatments- may cause damage to the peripheral nervous system.
5. Auto-immune diseases- Such as Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
But sometimes peripheral neuropathy seems to happen for no particular reason. Also known as Idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, it occurs mostly in people over 60 years old and usually progresses slowly if at all.
People of that group are diagnosed based on their medical history, clinical examination and supporting laboratory investigations.
Treatment of such idiopathic neuropathy is focused mostly on controlling the associated pain with anti-seizure medications, antidepressants, or opiate drugs.
More severe conditions may require a multidisciplinary approach to pain management.
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