What can be confused with neuropathy? Several conditions, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and certain infections A number of conditions, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and certain infections, can resemble symptoms of neuropathy, which can lead to misdiagnoses. Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by a variety of systemic diseases, exposures to toxic substances, medications, infections, and inherited disorders (table. The most common treatable causes are diabetes, hypothyroidism and nutritional deficiencies. When a nerve root in the spinal cord is pinched, it's called radiculopathy.
This affects the spinal vertebrae, tendons and intervertebral discs. Radiculopathy is often confused with neuropathy because both conditions cause similar symptoms, such as pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling. The difference between radiculopathy and neuropathy is that radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve in the spinal cord, while neuropathy is caused by damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system. Neuropathy and fibromyalgia, although both involve chronic pain, have unique characteristics that make their correct identification crucial for adequate treatment.
Neuropathy is characterized by localized pain due to nerve damage, while fibromyalgia is characterized by generalized pain along with fatigue and cognitive disorders. Peripheral neuropathy (PN) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are neurological disorders that share several symptoms, such as pain and paresthesia (abnormal sensations). Any of these conditions can make it difficult to use your arms and hands. or walk.
The problem of CIDP misdiagnosis in the U.S. In the United States, and probably in other parts of the world, it is very real and that problem carries significant physical, emotional and financial burdens both for individual patients and for society.
