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by Sarah Linton (Author)
Peripheral neuropathy can affect far more than sensation. Numbness, burning pain, tingling, weakness, balance problems, and changes in autonomic function can interfere with walking, sleep, work, independence, and everyday life. Yet the condition does not have a single cause, and effective care begins with understanding the pattern of nerve involvement and identifying what is driving it.
This practical guide brings together patient-friendly explanations and clinically useful information to create a shared resource for people living with nerve disorders, their families and caregivers, and healthcare professionals involved in their care.Readers will learn how peripheral nerves function, how different forms of nerve injury develop, and why symptoms can vary so widely from one person to another.
The book explains common and important causes, including diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, medications, chemotherapy, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, inherited conditions, toxic exposures, and cases in which no clear cause is initially identified.
The diagnostic process is explained step by step, from medical history and neurological examination to laboratory testing, nerve conduction studies, electromyography, and specialized evaluation for conditions such as small-fiber and autonomic neuropathy. Particular attention is given to recognizing patterns that may require further investigation and distinguishing peripheral nerve disease from conditions that can produce similar symptoms.
Management is approached from both clinical and practical perspectives. Readers will explore treatment of underlying causes, medications used for neuropathic pain, rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, exercise, safety measures, foot care, and strategies for maintaining mobility and independence.
The discussion also addresses treatment expectations, monitoring, medication considerations, and the importance of individualized care.For patients and families, the goal is to make medical information understandable and useful without oversimplifying the condition.
For clinicians, the guide provides a concise framework for evaluation, management, patient education, and shared decision-making.Whether you are newly experiencing unexplained numbness or pain, living with a long-standing neuropathy, supporting someone with nerve damage, or caring for patients with peripheral nerve disorders, this guide offers a balanced approach to understanding the condition, navigating evaluation and treatment, and managing its effects in everyday life.
