Mononeuritis multiplex is a condition where nerves in at least two areas of the body are affected, causing a range of symptoms. The cause is variable and can be difficult to identify, but treating the underlying condition can stop or reverse the nerve damage. Treatment involves managing symptoms and protecting against injury.
Mononeuritis multiplex is a difficult clustering of symptoms caused by affected nerves in at least two areas of the body. This nerve damage is typically limited to the peripheral nervous system and does not affect the central nervous system, which includes the spinal cord and brain. Which peripheral nerves stop working properly is highly variable, as are the causes of these symptoms. The cause can greatly determine the degree of success in treatment.
What is happening in mononeuritis multiplex is the deterioration of a part of the nerve cell called the axon. The job of the axon is essentially to signal or transmit information. If this is damaged, a number of symptoms can occur.
These can include difficult pain sensations or substandard sensations, which could run on a spectrum starting with feelings of numbness and ending with paralysis. Within this spectrum includes the inability to control various parts of the body, although they can still be felt to some extent. It is important to remember that there are many possible areas of the body that could be affected and this means that symptoms are variable between individuals.
There is considerable confusion about the cause of mononeuritis multiplex because mononeuritis multiplex can also vary widely. Sometimes, despite a thorough examination, doctors cannot find a specific reason why it is occurring. In other circumstances, a variety of diseases could cause damage to the axons. These include some forms of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, diseases that swell blood vessels such as polyarteritis nodosa and some forms of lupus. Certain infectious diseases such as Lyme disease and leprosy are indicated as causal factors in the manifestations of this disease or, alternatively, inflammatory conditions such as sarcoidosis can cause axon damage to at least two different nerve areas.
Treatment for this condition is a two-pronged process. Part of it is coping with the hardships that come with nerve damage and doing everything possible to protect a person from accidental injury due to malfunctioning nerves. In the former case, pain relief and increased mobility are desirable goals. With the latter, it is important to ensure that the movement does not create injuries inside or outside the house.
More important is to try to stop the ongoing nerve damage by treating the identified underlying conditions. Mononeuritis multiplex can be completely reversed or at least stopped if doctors can identify the cause and have the wherewithal to treat it successfully. Not all of the diseases or conditions mentioned above fully respond to treatment, but some do. The best case scenario is that complete reversal of symptoms occurs due to successful treatments of the underlying diseases. The second best thing is that treatment can stop mononeuritis multiplex so that no more nerve damage occurs.
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