Brief Answer:
Poorly functioning nerves due to diabetes

Detailed Answer:
Good evening. My name is Dr. Saghafi and I'm a neurologist. I see diabetic polyneuropathy all the time in my practice and now that you've asked the question I don't recall the last time that a patient actually pushed me to EXPLAIN in any detail what exactly the term POLYNEUROPATHY meant. I simply told them that their nerves were not working properly which explained why they were feeling funny symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, but I would just assume that patients would equate the term polyneuropathy to the definition I had in my head as a doctor.

So actually, you've challenged me to consider explaining the term from now on to patients when I tell them for the first time what they have....I think that's valuable for patients to get a visual picture in their heads of what we're talking about as it relates to their diabetes (or whatever the cause of the neuropathy).

So, onward on....the definition of POLYNEUROPATHY first and foremost is:

a specific term that refers to a generalized, and roughly similar process affecting nerves equally on both sides of the body causing ALTERATION OF FUNCTION of the nerves within the body. Most classically, nerves farthest away from the head which are in the feet and hands usually become affected first with legs, forearms, and finally trunk following with the passage of time.

Symptoms are typically reported as numbness, tingling, vibrating, painful, pins and needles, hot, cold, pebbly, grainy, XXXXXXX prickly, burning, pinching, stabbing, feeling as if water were running, crawling, wiggling, swollen, weakness, loss of balance, etc.

The term DIABETIC specifies the disease that is the specific cause of the polyneuropathy.

I hope these answers satisfactorily addresses your question. If so, may I ask your favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with some written feedback?

Also, if there are no other questions or comments, may I ask you CLOSE THE QUERY on your end so this question can be transacted and archived for further reference by colleagues as necessary?

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I would be honored to answer you quickly and comprehensively.

Please keep me informed as to the outcome of your situation.

The query has required a total of 20 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.

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