Preferred Name | Polyneuropathy | |
Synonyms |
Peripheral Nerve Disease |
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Definitions |
A generalized disorder of peripheral nerves. |
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ID |
http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/HP_0001271 |
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database cross reference |
HP:0001271 |
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dc:source | ||
definition |
A generalized disorder of peripheral nerves. |
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definition source | ||
diagnosed using tool |
http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/SCDO_0000133 http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/NCIT_C85397 |
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existence in other ontologies |
Sufficient |
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hasExactSynonym |
Peripheral Nerve Disease |
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is caused by |
Acute polyneuropathy has many causes: Infections involving a toxin produced by bacteria, as occurs in diphtheria,An autoimmune reaction (when the body attacks its own tissues), as occurs in Guillain-Barré syndrome (see Guillain-Barré Syndrome), Drugs, including the anticonvulsant phenytoin, some antibiotics (such as chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, and sulfonamides), some chemotherapy drugs (such as vinblastine and vincristine), and some sedatives (such as barbital and hexobarbital), Cancer (such as multiple myeloma), which damages nerves by directly invading or putting pressure on them or by triggering an autoimmune reaction, Certain toxins, such as organophosphate insecticides, triorthocresyl phosphate (TOCP), and thallium The cause of chronic polyneuropathy is often unknown. Known causes include the following: Diabetes Mellitus, Excessive use of alcohol, Nutritional deficiencies (such as thiamin deficiency), an uncommon cause in the United States, except among alcoholics who are malnourished, Vitamin B12 deficiency, which causes subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord (see Subacute Combined Degeneration) and often pernicious anemia (see Inadequate absorption), An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), Toxic substances, including heavy metals such as lead and mercury, Kidney failure, Certain cancers, such as lung cancer, Rarely, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) taken in excessive amounts. |
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is characterised by |
Acute polyneuropathy (as occurs in Guillain-Barré syndrome) begins suddenly in both legs and progresses rapidly upward to the arms. Symptoms include weakness and a pins-and-needles sensation or loss of sensation. The muscles that control breathing may be affected, resulting in respiratory failure.In the most common form of chronic polyneuropathy, only sensation is affected. Usually, the feet are affected first, but sometimes the hands are. A pins-and-needles sensation, numbness, burning pain, and loss of vibration sense and position sense (knowing where the arms and legs are) are prominent symptoms. Because position sense is lost, walking and even standing become unsteady. Consequently, muscles may not be used. Eventually, they may weaken and waste away. Then, muscles may become stiff and permanently shortened (called contractures). Diabetic neuropathy commonly causes painful tingling or burning sensations in the hands and feet-a condition called distal polyneuropathy. Pain is often worse at night and may be aggravated by touch or by a change in temperature. People may lose the senses of temperature and pain, so they often burn themselves and may have open sores caused by prolonged pressure or other injuries. Without pain as a warning of too much stress, joints are susceptible to injuries. This type of injury is called neurogenic arthropathy (Charcot joints) Polyneuropathy often affects the nerves of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions in the body (such as blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, salivation, and urination). Typical symptoms are constipation, sexual dysfunction, and fluctuating blood pressure-most notably a sudden fall in blood pressure when a person stands up (orthostatic hypotension). The skin may become pale and dry, and sweating may be reduced. Much less often, control of bowel movements or urination is lost, leading to fecal or urinary incontinence. |
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prefixIRI |
HP:0001271 |
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prefLabel |
Polyneuropathy |
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previous identifier |
SCDO:0000914 |
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rdfs:label |
Polyneuropathy |
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skos:prefLabel |
Polyneuropathy |
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treated with |
http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/SCDO_1000020 |
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subClassOf |