Polyneuropathy

Generality

Polyneuropathy is a form of peripheral neuropathy, in which there are more than one damaged or malfunctioning peripheral nerves.
A polyneuropathy can be: sensory, if the affected peripheral nerves are sensory nerves; motor, if the nerves involved are motor nerves; finally, mixed, if the peripheral nerves involved are nerves with both a sensory and a motor function.

Polyneuropathies can be acute conditions or chronic conditions. Among the main causes of acute polyneuropathy, infectious diseases such as diphtheria and autoimmune diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome deserve a mention; diabetes mellitus is among the typical causes of chronic polyneuropathy.
Symptoms vary depending on whether the polyneuropathy is sensory, chronic, or mixed.
An accurate diagnosis of polyneuropathy requires numerous examinations and tests.
Treatment is mainly based on symptomatic therapy and causal therapy.