Nerve inflammation, or polyneuropathy, is a condition whereby localized or multiple nerves are affected and can be present on either side of the body. This condition can be caused by an abnormal immune reaction and the exact underlying reasons are often not known. Sometimes it occurs in conjunction with other medical conditions such as hepatitis and lupus. Nerve inflammation treatment can involve taking corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and performing plasmapheresis, which is a procedure to purify the blood of antibodies that may be causing harm. Other treatments can include doses of vitamin B, and doctors will usually recommend that the patient refrains from drinking alcohol.
There may be a number of reasons for nerve inflammation to occur and it is typically quite complicated to point to any one cause. There are, however, a few diseases that can affect the immune system and these can sometimes be the cause for nerve inflammation. These illnesses can include Guillain-Barre syndrome, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and lupus. These conditions can cause limbs to tingle and burn, and in some cases weakness and paralysis. Sometimes the paralysis associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome may become so severe that it can be fatal.
Some of the symptoms for nerve inflammation could include loss of mobility and sensation in the limbs and difficulty swallowing or speaking. Sometimes the patient will experience hypersensitivity in the limbs and each touch may feel like an electric shock. Patients may also experience difficulty in breathing. Other symptoms include muscle wasting, bowel problems, fatigue, and bladder issues. Nerve inflammation treatment often seeks to alleviate the different symptoms that patients may be feeling at any given time.
When patients present with certain symptoms, doctors will often perform procedures such as spinal tap or nerve tissue sampling as part of their nerve inflammation treatment options. People suffering from diabetes related nerve inflammation will often be prescribed tricyclic antidepressants as well as lidocaine patches for pain.
Nerve inflammation may also occur when nerve cells sustain damage. The herpes virus and polio are two other conditions that may be responsible for nerve inflammation. Cuts and physical trauma as well as a number of other diseases can also cause nerve inflammation to occur. It may also be brought on by hereditary factors. Nerve inflammation treatment will typically take into account all of these potential causes before a doctor settles on the correct remedy for the individual patient.
