What is peripheral neuropathy?

Every system in the human body plays an important role in maintaining stasis of the whole and performing essential functions to keep the individual healthy. From their skin to their bones and everything in between, when a problem develops in a Charlotte resident’s body they may experience problems in unexpected places.

One illness that can have a very serious and debilitating side effect is diabetes mellitus. Commonly referred to as just “diabetes”, the illness affects how afflicted individuals use and process energy from the foods that they eat. A person with diabetes may not produce enough insulin to metabolize their food or they may produce too much. In either case serious complications can develop from the presence of the illness in the body.

A known complication from diabetes is peripheral neuropathy, a disorder with its own serious effects. While the brain and the spinal cord are considered the central nervous system of the body, all of the other nerve pathways in the system are considered the peripheral nervous system. Neuropathy in the peripheral nervous system can cause pain, tingling, lost muscle control and other serious complications.

A person who suffers from peripheral neuropathy may be able to seek disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. Their condition must meet the definition of a disability and in order to prove their claim they may have to submit extensive medical evidence. This post does not provide any medical or legal advice; it is the purpose of this post to inform readers about a devastating illness-related disorder that may keep them from work and from earning the paychecks they need.