Neuritis

Neuritis refers to inflammatory, degenerative or dystrophic changes in a single nerve or a group of nerves. Symptoms vary with the cause; common ones are pain, tenderness, tingling or numbness, redness and swelling at the infected area, and severe spasms. Onset may be acute or insidious depending on the cause; the main clinical feature is symmetric sensory, motor and autonomic dysfunction most marked at the distal limbs, often worse in the lower limbs. Treatment mainly nourishes the nerves with B vitamins such as vitamin B1 and B12; strenuous exercise is avoided, rest is recommended, smoking and alcohol are stopped, calcium is supplemented, and a healthy mindset is maintained, avoiding strenuous exercise and prolonged standing to prevent muscle atrophy.

Common Symptoms

Hemianesthesia; greater occipital neuralgia; sensory disturbance; loss of tendon reflex; glove-or-stocking-type distribution; numbness of hands and feet; unexplained pain of the little finger; muscle atrophy

Causes

Such as heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, phosphorus), drugs such as furazolidone, isoniazid, streptomycin, phenytoin sodium, carbamazepine and vincristine, and organic compounds such as organophosphate pesticides. Nutritional and metabolic disorders: B-vitamin deficiency, diabetes, uremia, chronic digestive disease accumulation, pregnancy. It often accompanies or follows various acute and chronic infections such as dysentery, tuberculosis, infectious hepatitis, typhoid and mumps; a few are caused by pathogens directly invading peripheral nerves, such as leprous neuritis. Allergic reactions: such as neuritis after serum therapy or vaccination. Except for a few causes (such as leprosy) that cause inflammatory changes in peripheral nerves, the main pathological basis is segmental demyelination and axonal degeneration of peripheral nerves, or both; a few cases may show changes at the neuromuscular junction. Causes: 1. Nerve injury such as nearby fracture and direct heavy blow. 2. Nerve infection such as diabetes, blood cancer and gout. 3. Poisoning by mercury, lead or methanol. 4. Lack of B vitamins in the diet (especially vitamin B). Note: peripheral neuritis is a general term for multiple peripheral nerve damage of various causes, presenting as symmetric sensory, motor and autonomic dysfunction of the distal limbs, also called polyneuritis or multiple peripheral neuritis.

Treatment

Medication, supportive treatment

Prevention

(1) Strengthen exercise to improve anti-infection ability. (2) Adjust diet reasonably, ensuring comprehensive nutrition without excess causing obesity; avoid tobacco and alcohol. (3) Avoid long-term exposure to chemical poisons.

Recommended Department

It is recommended to visit the neurology department; before the visit you may first book an appointment and connect with experts through this platform.

Warm reminder: The above information is provided for health education reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek care at a regular hospital in time.