Peripheral Neuropathy

If a disease injures sensory nerves, symptoms can be pain, burning, numbness, tingling, or imbalance.  Disease of the motor nerves, which connect spinal cord to muscles, cause muscle atrophy and weakness.  Diseases of autonomic nerves can present with fainting or changes in skin sweating, color, or temperature.  Peripheral neuropathies can come on suddenly (such as Guillain-Barré syndrome) or gradually (such as the most common form of diabetic neuropathy).  They can occur in otherwise healthy individuals, or they may be a presenting sign of cancer or result from treatment of cancer. They can occur at any age.  They may be genetic or caused by exposure to chemicals commonly found in workplaces or around the home.

            To diagnose, classify, and, hopefully, treat peripheral neuropathies, EMG and nerve conduction studies and blood studies routinely are performed; nerve and muscle biopsies may also be needed.

            Dr. Willner of Bergen Neurology Consultants is on the Advisory Board of The Neuropathy Association.  He and Dr. Alweiss trained in neuromuscular diseases and EMG studies at the Neurological Institute of Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.