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Managing Peripheral Neuropathy During Your Chemotherapy

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Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is numbness and tingling in the hands and feet as a result of peripheral nerve damage from cancer treatment. Damage to peripheral nerve cells, the cells responsible for sensation that carry information from the brain to other parts of the body, leads to peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms depend on which peripheral nerves are affected and may include pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, and muscle weakness in parts of the body.

Neuropathy is a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs. Certain drugs may damage the peripheral nerve cells, causing them to function incorrectly. Neuropathy is most common in the hands and feet; other parts of the body may also be affected.

There are two forms of neuropathy-acute (short lasting and sudden) and chronic (long lasting). Acute neuropathy is reversible and temporary in duration. Chronic neuropathy lasts much longer. Neuropathy may resolve within several weeks to several months, however there is a possibility of irreversible symptoms.

There are three different types of peripheral nerves that may be affected by peripheral neuropathy:

Patient speaking with family
  • Sensory nerves are nerves that help you feel pain, heat, cold and pressure. Damage to sensory nerves may cause tingling, numbness inability to feel hot or cold sensation, and inability to feel pain.
  • Motor nerves are nerves that help your muscles to move. Damage to motor nerves may cause weak or achy muscles, muscles that twitch and cramp, and swallowing or breathing issues.
  • Automatic nerves are nerves that control functions such as blood pressure, digestion, heart rate, temperature, and urination. Damage to automatic nerves may cause constipation and diarrhea, dizziness, sexual problems, sweating problems, and urination problems.
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