What is peripheral neuropathy (PN)? This is the term used to describe disorders from injury to the peripheral nerves. The brain and the spinal cord are the central nervous system. All other nerves in the body are peripheral nerves. Any disease or disorder in the peripheral nerves is called neuropathy. The peripheral nerves carry signals between the brain or spinal cord and the muscles, skin, and internal organs. PN usually presents, at least initially, chiefly in feet/legs and/or hands/arms. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, feeling of stiffness, feeling of constant heat or cold when the skin is neither, sharp transitory pains, weakness, constant pain of varying levels and types, difficulty with walking and balance, and feeling of wearing a sock or a glove when none is worn. PN has many causes.
The chief cause is diabetes. However, that is not the only cause. Many times physicians and researchers chiefly focus on “diabetic neuropathy” when only one of three or less of those suffering with PN is diabetic. Over 100 causes have been identified. Some types of PN are hereditary. Other causes include alcoholism, chemotherapy, radiation, Lyme disease, certain surgeries, repeated contact with some chemicals or toxins, some medications, HIV, anemia, overdoes of certain vitamins like B6, gluten intolerance and yet to be known causes.
It is estimated that over 22 million people have PN, with seven million having diabetic neuropathy and 15 million non-diabetic PN. We estimate that there are at least two million people in California with diagnosed or undiagnosed peripheral neuropathy.
Currently, there is no cure for peripheral neuropathy. The symptoms are treated, however, and if the cause is known, sometimes help can be achieved by at least lessening the cause. The Neuropathy Association is a national organization based in New York City that develops support groups and looks for a cure for the disease. Research grants are given yearly. The Northern California Chapter of the Neuropathy Association (NCCNA) is an affiliated chapter of The Neuropathy Association incorporated as a California non-profit, public benefit corporation. The NCCNA mission is to provide support, information and referral to people with neuropathy and to those who care about them, to inform and connect with the health care community and to support research. Vision includes establishing a support group for people with peripheral neuropathy and those who care about them in every population center in Northern California within driving distance of every individual.
Currently there are 47 chapters active or forming in Northern California. People and organizations in the medical community are increasingly available for speaking and advice. NCCNA is a member of the California Neuro-Alliance. This is an advocacy organization for those with neurological diseases.
The Clearlake chapter is holding their first meeting Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Redbud Library on Burns Valley Road. The guest speaker will be Beverly Anderson, President of the NCCNA. All interested persons are invited and encouraged to attend.
Barbara Dryden is the new leader of the local chapter in Clearlake and someone who experiences neuropathy first hand. Call Barbara Dryden at 994-0734 or cell 481-0733, for information.
