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Is Burning And Stabbing Pain In Feet And Peripheral Neuropathy Fatal?

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Posted on Wed, 14 Jan 2015
Question: Is peripheral neuropathy fatal? I have burning and stabbig in myfeet
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Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It depends on underlying cause, usually not fatal.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking!

I read your question and i understand your concern. Peripheral neuropathy is not a disease. it is a symptom of an underlying disease. So it may not be fatal alone but in a morbid condition where many other symptoms are present like chronic diabetes mellitus with failing heart etc, then yes a person may die of the disease but not of the peripheral neuropathy. If the tingling sensation is persistent or severe then limb may be at risk of vascular compromise and end up gangrenous. But usually it is not fatal.

Peripheral neuropathy has a variety of systemic, metabolic, and toxic causes. The most common treatable causes include diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and nutritional deficiencies. The diagnosis requires careful clinical assessment, judicious laboratory testing, and electrodiagnostic studies or nerve biopsy if the diagnosis remains unclear. A systematic approach begins with localization of the lesion to the peripheral nerves, identification of the underlying etiology, and exclusion of potentially treatable causes. Initial blood tests should include a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic profile, and measurement of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and fasting blood glucose, vitamin B12, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels; specialized tests should be ordered if clinically indicated. Lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis may be helpful in the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy. Electrodiagnostic studies, including nerve conduction studies and electromyography, can help in the differentiation of axonal versus demyelinating or mixed neuropathy. Treatment should address the underlying disease process, correct any nutritional deficiencies, and provide symptomatic treatment.

I hope it helps. take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

May the odds be ever in your favour.

Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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Is Burning And Stabbing Pain In Feet And Peripheral Neuropathy Fatal?

Brief Answer: It depends on underlying cause, usually not fatal. Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking! I read your question and i understand your concern. Peripheral neuropathy is not a disease. it is a symptom of an underlying disease. So it may not be fatal alone but in a morbid condition where many other symptoms are present like chronic diabetes mellitus with failing heart etc, then yes a person may die of the disease but not of the peripheral neuropathy. If the tingling sensation is persistent or severe then limb may be at risk of vascular compromise and end up gangrenous. But usually it is not fatal. Peripheral neuropathy has a variety of systemic, metabolic, and toxic causes. The most common treatable causes include diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and nutritional deficiencies. The diagnosis requires careful clinical assessment, judicious laboratory testing, and electrodiagnostic studies or nerve biopsy if the diagnosis remains unclear. A systematic approach begins with localization of the lesion to the peripheral nerves, identification of the underlying etiology, and exclusion of potentially treatable causes. Initial blood tests should include a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic profile, and measurement of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and fasting blood glucose, vitamin B12, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels; specialized tests should be ordered if clinically indicated. Lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis may be helpful in the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy. Electrodiagnostic studies, including nerve conduction studies and electromyography, can help in the differentiation of axonal versus demyelinating or mixed neuropathy. Treatment should address the underlying disease process, correct any nutritional deficiencies, and provide symptomatic treatment. I hope it helps. take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please. May the odds be ever in your favour. Regards Khan