Condition Lookup
Category:
Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
Number of Conditions: 4
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
Symptoms:
severe, burning pain; swelling; changes in skin temperature or color; sensitivity to touch; stiffness; muscle atrophy; tremors
Root Cause:
Abnormal response of the peripheral and central nervous systems to injury, leading to excessive pain signaling and inflammatory responses.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical examination, imaging (e.g., MRI, bone scan), and exclusion of other conditions.
Treatment:
Physical therapy, desensitization therapy, pain management (e.g., nerve blocks), psychological support, and lifestyle modifications.
Medications:
Includes NSAIDs, anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin ), antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline ), corticosteroids, bisphosphonates, and in some cases, opioids for severe pain.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated to occur in 5-26 cases per 100,000 annually; more common in women.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Trauma (e.g., fractures, surgery), immobilization, and genetic predisposition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; early treatment improves outcomes, but some may experience chronic symptoms.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, disability, depression, and loss of function in the affected limb.
Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic Neuropathy)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
Symptoms:
numbness; tingling sensations; burning pain; muscle weakness; loss of reflexes; balance issues; ulcerations on feet or hands in severe cases
Root Cause:
Damage to the peripheral nerves caused by conditions such as diabetes, infections, trauma, or exposure to toxins.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical examination, electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies, blood tests (e.g., for diabetes or vitamin deficiencies), and sometimes nerve biopsy.
Treatment:
Treating the underlying condition (e.g., controlling diabetes), physical therapy, pain management, lifestyle modifications, and managing complications like ulcers.
Medications:
Medications include anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin , pregabalin ), antidepressants (e.g., duloxetine , amitriptyline ), and topical treatments (e.g., capsaicin cream). Opioids may be used in severe cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 2-8% of the general population; diabetic neuropathy occurs in about 50% of people with diabetes.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Diabetes, alcohol abuse, autoimmune diseases, vitamin deficiencies, certain infections (e.g., Lyme disease, HIV), chemotherapy, and genetic predisposition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progression depends on the underlying cause; early treatment can stabilize symptoms and prevent complications.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, ulcerations, infections, and in severe cases, amputation due to poor wound healing.
Entrapment Neuropathies (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
Symptoms:
tingling; numbness; pain in the affected nerve distribution; weakness in the hand or fingers (for carpal tunnel)
Root Cause:
Compression or entrapment of a nerve within anatomical structures, often due to repetitive use, trauma, or inflammation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical exams (e.g., Tinel's sign, Phalen's maneuver), electromyography (EMG), and imaging (e.g., ultrasound or MRI).
Treatment:
Splinting, rest, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and, in severe cases, surgical decompression.
Medications:
Medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids (oral or injectable), and in some cases, anticonvulsants like gabapentin .
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Carpal tunnel syndrome affects about 3-6% of adults; other entrapment neuropathies are less common.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Repetitive wrist movements, obesity, pregnancy, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Often resolves with treatment; surgery is highly effective if conservative measures fail.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent nerve damage, muscle atrophy, and chronic pain if untreated.
Bell’s Palsy
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
Symptoms:
sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face; drooping mouth; inability to close the eye; dryness of the eye or mouth; altered taste sensation
Root Cause:
Temporary dysfunction of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), often linked to viral infections like herpes simplex virus (HSV).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, exclusion of other causes (e.g., imaging for stroke), and electromyography (EMG) if symptoms persist.
Treatment:
Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), antiviral medications (if HSV or other viruses are suspected), physical therapy, and eye protection (e.g., artificial tears or eye patch).
Medications:
Corticosteroids are the primary treatment; antivirals like acyclovir may be added in specific cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Incidence is about 20-30 cases per 100,000 annually.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Viral infections, pregnancy (third trimester), diabetes, and family history of Bell's palsy.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most recover fully within 3-6 months; a small percentage may have residual weakness or contractures.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent facial weakness, synkinesis (involuntary facial movements), or eye complications due to incomplete eyelid closure.