About mononeuritis multiplex

What is mononeuritis multiplex?

Peripheral neuropathy is an umbrella term that denotes a disorder of, or damage to, the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system consists of all the motor and sensory nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body (i.e., the nerves outside the central nervous system). The symptoms and physical findings associated with peripheral neuropathies vary greatly from case to case and may be extremely complex.

More than 100 different peripheral neuropathies are recognized, each with a distinguishing set of symptoms, development path, and prognosis. Disorders affecting only one nerve are described as a mononeuropathies while disorders affecting more than one nerve are called polyneuropathies. If two nerves affecting different parts of the body are involved, the disorder is described as a mononeuritis multiplex.

In some cases, symptoms emerge abruptly, progress rapidly, and are slow to subside. Some chronic forms emerge only gradually and progress slowly. Some chronic forms appear to be resolved but are subject to relapses. Most often, symptoms such as pain, tingling, and/or muscle weakness start in both of the feet (bilateral) and progress up the legs. This is usually followed by symptoms in the hands that progress up the arms.

What are the symptoms for mononeuritis multiplex?

Abnormal sensation symptom was found in the mononeuritis multiplex condition

Your symptoms will vary depending on the type of nerves that are damaged. Symptoms may include:

  • Weakness in one or more limbs
  • loss of feeling in one or more areas of your body
  • incontinence
  • Paralysis of part of your body
  • tingling or discomfort in one or more areas of your body

What are the causes for mononeuritis multiplex?

The nervous system consists of two parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The central nervous system includes the brain and the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes the nerves connecting the CNS to every other part of the body.

MNM is a condition of the peripheral nervous system. This means it’s a group of symptoms associated with damaged peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerves lie outside the brand and spinal cord.

Several diseases can cause MNM. These include:

  • polyarteritis nodosa
  • diabetes mellitus
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • systemic lupus

Less common causes of MNM include:

  • Sjogren syndrome
  • Wegener’s syndrome
  • Lyme disease
  • sarcoidosis
  • amyloidosis
  • Hansen’s disease (leprosy)

What are the treatments for mononeuritis multiplex?

Treatment of MNM depends on the disorder that’s causing your condition. First, your doctor must determine the underlying condition.

A neuromuscular neurologist will develop your treatment plan. You’ll also have a consultation with a rheumatologist if you have any diseases that involve connective tissue. An example of this type of disease is arthritis.

The aims of the treatment are to:

  • address the illness that is the cause of the problem
  • control symptoms with medication or nutritional supplementation
  • provide care and support to increase your independence

Occupational Therapy

Your doctor may suggest occupational therapy (OT) to help increase your mobility and independence. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the goal of OT is to help people with a disability or people recovering from an injury to regain the skills needed for their daily activities or occupations.

Your OT therapist will visit your home or work environment and suggest ways to accomplish activities safely. They may provide a plan of exercises to help you regain motor skills and strengthen muscles. Also, they may suggest using adaptive equipment to help you move through your house and keep you from falling. These items may include:

  • a railing on steps
  • a bath or shower seat
  • adequate lighting
  • a stair lift

Orthopedic Aids

You may benefit from orthopedic aids if you’re having difficulty moving around in or outside your home. These include:

  • a wheelchair
  • braces
  • supports
  • corrective shoes

Physical Therapy

Your doctor may recommend physical therapy as part of your treatment plan. This involves stretching and strengthening exercises and low-impact aerobics to strengthen your muscles, increase flexibility, and improve balance.

Vocational Therapy

Vocational therapy (VT) is a valuable part of a structured treatment program. The aim of VT is to help you resume employment. It can help you cope with the changes in your physical and mental functioning. It can also help you find an occupation that’s productive and matches your abilities.

Medication

Your doctor may prescribe medication to help manage your pain, including:

  • anticonvulsants
  • antidepressants (for relief from stabbing pains)

What are the risk factors for mononeuritis multiplex?

While mono-neuritis multiplex can affect anyone, those with particular disorders are more likely to get it. While these illnesses can lead to mono-neuritis multiplex, they can also be minor and not always recognized. Around half of all instances of mono-neuritis multiplex were formerly undiagnosed, although recent decades have seen improvements in this area.

1. Diabetes mellitus, illnesses of the connective tissues, and vasculitis are a few of the conditions that can result in mono-neuritis multiplex.
2. The most frequent of these causes of mono-neuritis multiplex is vasculitis.
3. Diabetes mellitus is another prominent cause, as is oxygen deprivation brought on by poor blood flow to certain regions, which can result in cellular death.
4. The likelihood of developing mono-neuritis multiplex is increased by several risk factors because of the nature of the illnesses that can cause it.
5. For instance, whereas old age is a general risk factor for diabetes mellitus, diabetics who develop mono-neuritis multiplex typically have mild or undiagnosed diabetes and are older.
6. Similar to the previous example, only about one-third of people with mono-neuritis multiplex have had the underlying problem previously diagnosed before developing symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms
Lack of controlled movement of a body part,Numbness,Tingling,Abnormal sensation
Conditions
Difficulty moving a body part - Paralysis,Burning pain - Dysesthesia
Drugs
Tricyclic Antidepressants,Cholinergic Agonists,Corticosteroids,Immunosuppressants,Anticonvulsants,Prokinetic Agents

Is there a cure/medications for mononeuritis multiplex?

A full recovery from MNM may be possible if the underlying cause can be diagnosed and treated successfully, and if damage is limited.

The extent of disability can range from none to a complete loss of movement or feeling.

Nerve pain can cause a great deal of discomfort and may be prolonged. You should see a pain specialist to discuss available treatment options if this is the case.

You may have injuries that go unnoticed if you experience decreased sensation in your feet or other parts of your body. This is because the nerves in the affected area are not sending pain signals to your brain. Injured areas may become severely infected if this happens. Inspect these areas regularly for bruises or cuts to prevent this from happening.

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