It is caused by the body’s immune system inappropriately reacting against and damaging myelin. 
Because CIDP is rare, it’s often hard to correctly diagnose the disease, at least at first.
Myelin surrounds the peripheral nerves and acts like an insulator so that the nerves can conduct impulses properly.
CIDP can occur at any age and in both sexes, but is more common in men than women.
Symptoms include tingling, numbness or altered feeling which often begins in the feet and hands, weakness of the arms and legs, fatigue and aching pain in the muscles.
CIDP can occur at any age and in both sexes, but is more common in men than women.
Symptoms include tingling, numbness or altered feeling which often begins in the feet and hands, weakness of the arms and legs, fatigue and aching pain in the muscles.
Because CIDP is rare, it’s often hard to correctly diagnose the disease, at least at first.
Healthcare providers can confuse its symptoms with those of GBS (Guillain Barre Syndrome) because of the similarity between the diseases. If symptoms last longer than 8 weeks, a provider may suspect CIDP.
After taking a medical history and doing a physical and neurological exam, a healthcare provider may do two or more tests to confirm a diagnosis. These may include:
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-Blood and urine tests.
-A nerve conduction study and an electromyogram to look for myelin damage in peripheral nerves. This involves using mild electrical currents to test nerve and muscle function and response.
-A lumbar puncture to see if levels of certain proteins related to the disease are higher than normal.
-A nerve conduction study and an electromyogram to look for myelin damage in peripheral nerves. This involves using mild electrical currents to test nerve and muscle function and response.
-A lumbar puncture to see if levels of certain proteins related to the disease are higher than normal.
To do this, a small needle is inserted into the back and a small amount of the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid) is withdrawn.
-A nerve biopsy to look at microscopic changes in the nerves. This test is rarely done.
-MRI may show inflammation of the nerve roots. The roots are the part of the nerve where it branches off from the spinal cord.
-A nerve biopsy to look at microscopic changes in the nerves. This test is rarely done.
-MRI may show inflammation of the nerve roots. The roots are the part of the nerve where it branches off from the spinal cord.
Treatment for CIDP is aimed at suppressing the immune system.
First line treatment is usually with intravenous immunoglobulin.
If this is not available, plasmapheresis (plasma exchange) or oral medications which suppress the immune system such as steroids may be used.
Physiotherapy may improve muscle strength, function and mobility, and minimise the development of contractures.
The course of CIDP varies widely among individuals.
Some may have a bout of CIDP followed by spontaneous recovery, while others may have many bouts with partial recovery in between relapses.
Some may have a bout of CIDP followed by spontaneous recovery, while others may have many bouts with partial recovery in between relapses.
The disease is a treatable cause of acquired neuropathy and initiation of early treatment to prevent loss of nerve cells is recommended.
However, some individuals are left with some residual numbness or weakness.
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