Word parts
What it means
Disease of the peripheral nervous systempuh-RIF-er-ul NER-vus SIS-tumAll the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, which link them to the rest of the body.Full entry . It usually starts in the toes and feet and moves upward, in a "stocking and glove" pattern, with numbness, tingling, burning pain or weakness. The most common cause is diabetes; others include alcohol use, vitamin B12 deficiency, chemotherapy, kidney disease and some infections. Loss of feeling means injuries can go unnoticed.
For the nurse
Teach daily foot checks with a mirror, well-fitting shoes, never walking barefoot, and testing bath water with an elbow or thermometer. Keep blood glucose controlled. Use fall precautions when feeling in the feet is poor.
At a glance
| Spanish | neuropatía periférica |
|---|---|
| Also written | peripheral neuropathies |
Related terms
neur/o
A word root that means nerve or the nervous system.
diabetes mellitus
A long-term disease in which blood glucose stays high because the body makes too little insulin or cannot use it well.
numbness
Loss or reduction of feeling in a part of the body.
peripheral nervous system
All the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, which link them to the rest of the body.