Sensorimotor polyneuropathy Health Article

Definition

Sensorimotor polyneuropathy is a decrease in movement or ability to feel (sensation).

Alternative Names

Polyneuropathy - sensorimotor

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Polyneuropathy means disease of nerves. Sensorimotor polyneuropathy is damage to nerves other than the brain or spinal cord. Such nerve damage is called peripheral neuropathy.

Sensorimotor polyneuropathy is a body-wide (systemic) process that damages nerve cells, nerve fibers (axons), and nerve coverings (myelin sheath). Damage to the covering of the nerve cell causes nerve signals to slow down. Damage to the nerve fiber or entire nerve cell can make the nerve stop working.

Nerve damage can be caused by:

• Conditions that put pressure on nerves
• Decreased blood flow
• Diseases that destroy the glue (connective tissue) that holds cells and tissues together
• Swelling (inflammation)

Possible causes of sensorimotor polyneuropathy include:

• Alcoholic neuropathy
• Chronic inflammatory neuropathy
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Drug-related neuropathy
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Vitamin deficiency (vitamin B12 and others)

Symptoms

• Decreased feeling in any area of the body
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty using the arms or hands
• Difficulty using the legs or feet
• Difficulty walking
• Numbness, loss of feeling in the arms or legs
• Pain, burning, tingling, or abnormal feeling in any area of the body
• Weakness of the face, arms or legs, or any area of the body

Symptoms may develop slowly over weeks to years and usually occur on both sides of the body.

Signs and tests

An exam may show:

• Little or no reflexes
• Muscle atrophy
• Muscle twitch (fasciculations)
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis
• Problems with movement and feeling (sensation)

Tests may include:

• A test of electrical activity in muscles (EMG)
• Blood tests
• Nerve conduction tests
• X-rays