Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy Causes
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is believed to caused by the immune cells incorrectly attacking the body's nerves instead of fighting foreign infection. Because of this the nerves are unable to respond to stimuli causing pain, progressive muscle weakness, fatigue and numbness all throughout the body.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy Definition
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that attacks the peripheral nervous system but as well involves the central nervous system. It is sometimes known as chronic relapsing polyneuropathy and is related to Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy Diagnosis
Patients diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneropathy show loss of tendon reflexes, shrinkage of muscles, fasciculations and loss of sensation. They may also have Multi-Focal Motor neuropathy and present a peripheral nerve or cranial nerve dysfunction. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is diagnosed by electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study (NCS). NCS show demyelination in a person with CIDP, and the findings include presence of abnormal temporal dispersion in one or more motor nerves, reduced nerve conduction speed, absence o F waves in two or more motor nerves.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy Treatment
Medical substances such as corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin are the primary medications prescribed for patients with CIPD. In severe cases, immunosuppresive drugs which are often cytotoxic are used to reduce the activity of the immune system. Patients also undergo physiotherapy to strengthen their bones and muscles for faster recovery. It also minimizes atrophy and joint distortion. It is important to diagnose the disease early in order to get the right treatment as well as to prevent the loss of nerve axons because they have the tendency to deteriorate as the disease develops. CIDP is a demyelinating condtion like Multiple Sclerosis, thus it is not possible to determine how the disease would affect the patient in the future. He may suffer a relapse, and it would be more devastating than the one he first experienced.