What causes neuropathy in the elderly?

Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by axonal damage or demyelination, as well as damage to large or small fibres. The risk of falls and disabling symptoms like pain are quite pronounced in the elderly, leading to poor quality of life. Diabetes and heavy alcohol use commonly cause symmetrical axonal polyneuropathies.

What can be done for neuropathy in the legs?

Various therapies and procedures might help ease the signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Electrodes placed on the skin deliver a gentle electric current at varying frequencies.
Plasma exchange and intravenous immune globulin.
Physical therapy.
Surgery.

What happens if you have neuropathy in your legs?

Diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in your legs and feet. Depending on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy symptoms can range from pain and numbness in your legs and feet to problems with your digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels and heart. Some people have mild symptoms.

What is the life expectancy of someone with peripheral neuropathy?

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is a progressive disease in which patients experience severe peripheral neuropathy, cardiac dysfunction, infections, and cachexia (extreme weight loss and muscle wasting). The life expectancy of TTR-FAP patients is about 10 years after diagnosis.

How does neuropathy affect walking?

Walking with a wobbly motion or even losing your balance can result from diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Wearing orthopedic shoes often helps with this. Loss of coordination is a common sign of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Often, muscle weakness affects the ankle, which can affect your gait.

Does Vicks Vapor Rub help neuropathy pain?

Vicks Vapor Rub® – Massaging one’s feet with Vicks, particularly at night, soothes neuropathic pain and distress in one’s feet and legs. It is also excellent for softening your toe nails and diminishing common toe nail problems. Warm/Cool Baths and Showers – Excellent de-stressors and can help with reducing pain.

Is Soaking in Epsom salt good for neuropathy?

A Warm Bath Can Do Wonders: The nerve damage in your feet makes them an unreliable source for judging temperature. We like around 100 degrees Fahrenheit with some added minerals like Epsom salts (don’t be stingy when you put the Epsom salts in the water. They contain magnesium which relaxes tight and painful muscles).

What are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in the elderly?

Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Disease) in the Elderly. Peripheral neuropathy is any disease of the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. It causes the most marked symptoms ranging from pain to numbness in the extremities – arms and legs.

What kind of neuropathy affects the feet and hands?

Of the several types of neuropathy, only a few relate to the feet. Besides peripheral neuropathy, additional common neuropathies include: Diabetic sensory neuropathy: This form of neuropathy affects multiple nerves in the body, but mainly affects the feet, lower extremities, and sometimes the hands.

Can a person with autonomic neuropathy die?

Those suffering from autonomic neuropathy may be at an increased risk of sudden death, due to silent myocardial infarction, a condition of the heart. Keeping blood glucose, blood pressure and lipids levels under control is the key to delaying the onset or slowing down the progression of diabetic neuropathy.

What causes purple feet in an elderly person?

Common Causes for Purple Feet in Elderly. 1 1. Acrocyanosis. Perhaps the most common cause for purple feet or purple toes in general is acrocyanosis. Acrocyanosis basically means (in Latin) 2 2. Neuropathy. 3 3. Lack of Blood Flow. 4 4. Medication Side Effects. 5 5. Many Older People do not Move Enough.

What are the causes of peripheral neuropathy in older people?

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease) and autonomic. Te responsible pathology may be axonal, demyelinating or mixed axonal and demyelinating. Peripheral neuropathies of all groups may involve large nerve fibres, small nerve fibre or both. Large nerve fibres are long, myelinated and enable fast conduction of impulses.