Polyneuritis is an inflammatory disease of the peripheral nervous system or cranial nerves. Several or all nerves may be affected to varying degrees. Abnormal sensations and functional disturbance of damaged areas of the body are among the typical symptoms. The causes and associated therapeutic approaches are subject to a wide variety.
What is polyneuritis?
Polyneuritis describes an inflammatory process of nerves and is a generic term for several clinical pictures. Damage to nerve cords and nerve endings without inflammatory processes outside the brainstem as well as spinal cord are included by polyneuropathy. Peripheral nerve tracts run from the central nervous system throughout the body. Motor commands are given to limbs and muscles through these pathways. Passively received stimuli from sensory nerves transmit sensations to the brain, where they are subsequently evaluated and interpreted. The autonomic nervous system, on the other hand, automatically controls the activity of organs such as the heartbeat and are not consciously controlled by humans. In mononeuritis, the focus is on inflammation of a single nerve. If the damage occurs to several nerves that are not directly connected, the term mononeuritis multiplex is used. Polyneuritis cranialis stands for a disease of the nerves directly in the brain stem. A well-known representative of acute polyneuritis is the life-threatening Guillain-Barré syndrome as well as herpes zoster.
Causes
Infections caused by bacteria and viruses can trigger polyneuritis. Lyme disease, diphtheria, and HIV disease fall among them. Likewise, autoimmune diseases lay the groundwork for an inflammatory attack on nerve tissue. The patient’s own immune cells attack the nerve cells and are therefore responsible for a wide range of symptoms. Guillain-Barré syndrome has such a characteristic. Also a burden of the organism due to unhealthy nutrition by food contaminated with heavy metals or environmental toxins lead to a burden of the nervous system. Lead and mercury are known for their nerve-damaging properties. The same applies to the regular use of medications such as antibiotics. Extreme therapeutic measures against cancer through chemotherapy also act as a possible trigger for polyneuritis. Malignant tumors eat away at surrounding tissue and can cause severe damage directly to the nerve pathways. If there is a sudden onset of discomfort and pain without a slow increase in signs, there is usually an acute event behind it. If the effects of polyneuritis progress slowly but steadily, one or more underlying diseases are usually behind it. For example, heavy alcohol abuse impairs the detoxification function of the liver and kidneys. A deficient supply of nerve vitamins such as vitamin B1, B6 or B12 also increases the risk of disease immensely. Rarely, an overdose of vitamin B6 is also responsible for health problems. In addition to hypothyroidism, circulatory disorders also come into question when narrowing down the causes. In about a quarter of cases, a hereditary component is thought to be the main factor.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
In polyneuritis, the quality of impulse transmission is decreased. The types of signs in disease are motor or sensory in nature. Autonomic dysfunction is also part of the clinical picture. As a rule, the development begins with discomfort in the extremities. At first, the feet and legs show typical signs of hypersensitivity, later the hands and arms are affected. Without any external influence, affected persons experience sensory disturbances that are accompanied by severe pain as well as numbness. Inflammation of sensory nerves often produces a tingling sensation on the skin. Opposite reactions also characterize polyneuritis. Nerves no longer respond appropriately to excessive heat, pressure, or severe cold. The sensation of pain and touch become unbalanced and no longer respond adequately to external influences. As a result, there is a risk of accidental injury from burns or frostbite. Expressions of the disease are often present on both sides of the body, although asymmetric courses also exist. Damage to the motor nerves causes weakening and decline of the musculature.The affection of the autonomic nervous system provokes, among other things, cardiac arrhythmias, blood pressure fluctuations and problems of the digestive tract.
Diagnosis and course of the disease
An examination of the blood as well as the urine can provide possible evidence of polyneuritis and contribute to a diagnosis. In addition, patients’ descriptions to specialists reinforce suspicions of inflammatory disease of the peripheral nervous system. Confirmation or exclusion of polyneuritis is obtained by a comprehensive examination of the body and nerve conduction velocity by a neurologist. This examines general body functions such as muscle strength, reflexes and nerve conduction velocities. The treating physician differentiates between superficial impairment of the nerve sheath and direct damage to the nerve cord. The knowledge thus gained allows initial conclusions to be drawn regarding the cause. A precise pathogenesis supports the further search and focuses on the exact course and history of the disease. Possible underlying diseases, unexplained symptoms and the use of medication are taken into account here. A family history of neurological disorders may indicate a genetic disposition. As a last resort, the physician orders a biopsy of the nerve tissue and an examination of the nerve fluid. The disease may appear suddenly with no signs of great intensity or slowly with mild expression spreading throughout the body over years and manifesting chronically.
Complications
Polyneuritis generally results in a variety of sensory abnormalities and disturbances of sensibility. However, it cannot be predicted which regions of the body will be affected by these insensations. Patients suffer from restricted movement and in some cases numbness as a result of this disease. There is a typical tingling sensation on the skin. Likewise, the patients can no longer perceive various feelings and stimuli on the skin properly and are thus very limited in their everyday life. The patient’s quality of life is also significantly reduced and negatively affected by polyneuritis. Injuries can also occur if the affected person cannot perceive stimuli correctly. The disease also leads to disturbances in the heart rhythm and can thus, in the worst case, lead to the death of the affected person. Likewise, difficulties with digestion can occur. As a rule, the treatment of polyneuritis depends on the underlying disease, so that the complications and further course of this disease depend strongly on this disease. However, many patients are also dependent on psychological treatment, as it is not uncommon for depression and other psychological upsets to occur.
When should you see a doctor?
In the case of polyneuritis, medical treatment is necessary in any case. There is no self-healing in this disease and if left untreated it leads, in the worst case, to death. For this reason, polyneuritis must always be treated early to prevent further complications. A doctor should be consulted if there are complaints of sensitivity in the limbs. The feet and hands are primarily affected by the symptoms. They can feel numb and tingle, and movement of these limbs can also no longer take place easily. Furthermore, stimuli from the outside can no longer be correctly assessed, so that pressure or heat are no longer correctly assigned. Therefore, if these complaints suddenly occur, a doctor must be consulted. As a rule, polyneuritis can be diagnosed by a general practitioner. The treatment of the disease always depends on the exact cause, so that here no general prediction about the further course can be given. Under certain circumstances, the patient’s life expectancy is also reduced by the disease.
Treatment and therapy
If the onset is based on an identifiable underlying disease, targeted therapy can be given against it. In this case, significant regression of the patient’s symptoms is in prospect. Depending on the severity, cause, and duration of the disease, even complete recovery is possible. If the direct cause remains undetected, treatment is primarily oriented toward alleviating the symptoms. High-dose vitamin preparations (B1, B12) are used to combat deficiencies. Diabetics receive alpha lipoic acid if required.If an autoimmune reaction is the trigger, treatment focuses on suppressing the body’s defenses. Severe cases favor the development of depression due to the persistent physical as well as psychological stress of a sufferer. The administration of antidepressants and local painkillers, sometimes also anticonvulsant drugs, is then appropriate. Infectious diseases such as Lyme disease must first be thoroughly diagnosed in order to achieve appropriate medication against the pathogen. Physiotherapy helps in the regeneration of receded muscle parts and serves to alleviate joint complaints. Restrictions in their mobility and function are thus partially reversed. Because of the many causes and underlying diseases of polyneuritis, a specialist must make an accurate diagnosis for appropriate therapy.
Prevention
Appropriate prevention is composed of avoiding potential risk factors. These include timely diagnosis and treatment of underlying diseases that produce polyneuritis. Even the first warning signs give the primary care physician an indication of possible peripheral nervous system disease. Early, medical intervention increases the chances of a positive course, effective slowing of the spread, and preservation of the quality of life of diseased individuals.
Follow-up
‘Polyneuritis’ as a term encompasses inflammatory processes on the neural pathways. Shingles or the Epstein-Barr virus are among the polyneuritides. The tissue of the nerves is affected. Follow-up care is advisable in order to avoid consequential damage or to keep it as low as possible. The form of aftercare depends on the causative disease. The goal in all cases is complete elimination of the symptoms; in the medium to long term, the inflammation should heal. The doctor must first determine the underlying disease. He administers medicine to the patient to curb the inflammatory process. If necessary, painkillers are prescribed. Follow-up care continues until the patient is healed, and the progress of healing is monitored during doctor’s visits. Side effects must be detected and prevented at an early stage. In case of intolerance, the patient is given alternative medications that are more closely adapted to his or her condition. Untreated neuritis can develop into a life-threatening condition. For this reason, the affected person must also take advantage of follow-up care and regularly attend follow-up visits. In the event of a sudden worsening or recurrence of symptoms, he must seek medical treatment immediately. He will receive medication again, and hospitalization may be necessary at the doctor’s discretion.
What you can do yourself
Since polyneuritis is mainly caused by viruses, the patient should first of all strengthen his immune system. This is because a powerful immune system is a sure weapon against invaders of all kinds, which include viruses. To strengthen the immune system, there are several approaches. Holistic doctors and alternative practitioners, for example, swear by detoxification measures with homeopathic remedies and intestinal cleansing (colon hydrotherapy). Since it has recently become known that 80 percent of all immune cells are located in the intestine, the administration of probiotics is also indicated. This is a preparation containing living microorganisms that multiply in the intestine and contribute to the maintenance of the immune system. This preparation can be a yogurt as well as a food supplement or medicine. The word “probiotics” is composed of the Greek word “bios” (life) and the Latin pro (for). The name thus emphasizes the health-promoting influence that microorganisms have. If, in addition, a vitamin B deficiency is behind the illness, a dietary supplement containing B vitamins is recommended. There are also other dietary supplements that can support the immune system. Here, the doctor or pharmacist will advise. Stabilizing the immune system also requires an appropriate lifestyle: a good, healthy, varied diet, plenty of sleep and rest, but also plenty of exercise. A daily walk in the fresh air activates the immune cells – in any weather.
