The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is made up of nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord. PNS diseases can be genetic, autoimmune, or infection-related, with symptoms including muscle weakness and nerve degeneration. Treatment varies depending on the type of disease.
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the part of the nervous system made up of nerves and ganglia outside those found in the brain and spinal cord. All of the pathways that carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body are located in this part of the nervous system. Peripheral nervous system diseases affect these pathways and can be classified as genetic, autoimmune, or infection-related or secondary.
Genetic disorders of the peripheral nervous system are PNS disorders that are passed on from one or both parents to a child. Common genetic disorders of the PNS include myotonic dystrophy, neurofibromatosis, and myasthenia gravis. Myotonic dystrophy causes nerve degeneration leading to muscle weakness, wasting muscle mass, and improper muscle function. Neurofibromatosis causes tumor growth of nerve tissue, which interferes with nerve transmission capabilities. Myasthenia gravis is a genetic autoimmune disease that causes T cells of the immune system to attack the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, leading to progressive weakness of muscle function and fatigue.
Peripheral nervous system diseases can also be caused by autoimmune diseases. These types of PNS diseases cause the immune system to attack parts of the body. Guillain-Barr syndrome is a common autoimmune disease of the PNS. The immune system sees cells in the body as foreign and attacks cells, especially cells associated with the peripheral system. Nerve inflammation occurs, which in turn causes nerve degeneration and muscle weakness.
Infection-related peripheral nervous system diseases are another type of PNS disease. Poliomyelitis, also called poliomyelitis, and anesthetic leprosy are two infections that can cause PNS disease. Poliomyelitis is an infection of the central nervous system, but most often affects the PNS and leads to motor neuron degeneration causing muscle wasting and paralysis. Anesthetic leprosy is an infection that occurs in the peripheral nerves. Nerve damage caused by the infection can lead to gangrene or tissue death and paralysis.
Treatment for diseases of the peripheral nervous system varies depending on the type of disease and whether an underlying condition is responsible. Diseases of the PNS that occur as a result of infections are usually treated with antibiotic drugs and respond well to this treatment. Autoimmune and genetic disorders of the PNS often have no cure, but symptoms can be reduced to make patients more comfortable and have a better quality of life. Medications that prevent muscle weakness or slow nerve damage can help provide this help.
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