Peripheral Neuropathy/Excess Sweating
Don Wiss
people that both have some gluten intolerance. Since peripheral neuropathy
(numbness and tingling in fingers and toes) is listed as one of the
possible celiac symptoms, I looked it up in the Merck Manual (16th ed). I
also found a mention of excess sweating, which I believe has been discussed
here in the past. So here is some of what is there:
Peripheral Neuropathy
...
Nutritional deficiency and metabolic disorders may result in
polyneuropathy. Deficiency of B vitamins is often the cause (eg, in
alcoholism, beriberi, pernicious anemia, isoniazid-induced pyridoxine
deficiency, malabsorption syndromes, and hyperemesis gravidarum).
Polyneuropathy also occurs in hypothyroidism, porphyria, sarcoidosis,
amyloidosis, and uremia. Diabetes mellitus causes several forms of
neuropathy; sensorimotor distal polyneuropathy (most common), multiple
mononeuropathy, and focal mononeuropathy (eg, of oculomotor or abducens
cranial nerves).
...
Polyneuropathy is relatively symmetric; sensory, motor, and vasomotor
fibers often are involved simultaneously. (An acute, rapidly progressive
form, the Guillain-Barre syndrome, and hereditary neuropathies are
discussed separately below.) The most common form of polyneuropathy, seen
with metabolic disease (eg, diabetes mellitus, renal failure,
malnutrition), develops slowly, often over months or years; it frequently
begins with sensory abnormalities in the lower extremities. Abnormalities
are often more severe distally than proximally. Peripheral tingling,
numbness, burning pain, or deficiencies in joint proprioception and
vibratory sensation often are prominent. Pain is often worse at night and
may be aggravated by touching the affected area or by temperature changes.
In severe cases, objective signs of sensory loss, typically with
stocking-and-glove distribution, can be shown. The Achilles and other deep
tendon reflexes are diminished or absent. Painless ulcers on the digits or
Charcot's joints may be seen when sensory loss is profound. Sensory or
proprioceptive deficits may lead to gait abnormalities. Motor involvement
results in distal muscle weakness and atrophy.
The autonomic nervous system may be additionally or selectively involved,
leading to nocturnal diarrhea, bladder and bowel incontinence, impotence,
or postural hypotension. Vasomotor symptoms are variable. The skin may be
paler and drier than normal or there may be excess sweating and/or dusky
discoloration. Trophic changes are common in severe and prolonged cases;
they consist of smooth, shiny skin, pitted or ridged nails, and
osteoporosis.
Uncommonly, an exclusively sensory polyneuropathy is seen, which begins
with peripheral pains and paresthesias and progresses centrally to a loss
of all forms of sensation. This occurs as a remote effect of carcinoma,
especially bronchogenic, after megadose intoxication with pyridoxine (B6),
in amyloidosis, hypothyroidism, myeloma, and uremia.
...
Julie Chilton
writes:
> I also found a mention of excess sweating, which I believe has been
discussed
>here in the past.
My Luke tends to run "hot" - often times at night his sheets will be
dreanched in sweat. I was not on this list when this was discussed - I would
appreciate someone giving me a short run-down on what it means in terms of
his Aspergers....thanks!
-Julie