It can result in pain, loss of sensation, and digestive and urinary symptoms.
The most common causes of neuropathy include long-term diabetes, chemotherapy, alcohol use, and nutritional deficiencies.
However, there are numerous types and causes of neuropathy.
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Small fiber neuropathy is diagnosed when it is clear that the small fibers of the nerves are involved.
Extensive diagnostic testing is required to identify small fiber neuropathy.
Most of the time, neuropathy (such asperipheral neuropathy) involves small fibers and large fibers.
This article describes the symptoms, causes, and potential treatments of small fiber neuropathy.
The pain symptoms can range from mild or moderate discomfort to severe distress and can occur at any time.
What Are Small Nerve Fibers?
These fibers are typically located in the superficial parts of the body, such as near the skins surface.
What Is the Peripheral Nervous System?
Most types ofperipheral neuropathycause damage to the small fibers of the peripheral nerves and the large peripheral nerve fibers.
Because of this, most peripheral neuropathies are a mix of small fiber neuropathy and large fiber neuropathy.
Common risk factors for mixed nerve fiber neuropathy include:
Isolated small fiber neuropathy is rare.
They can also start as a mixed neuropathy, with small and large fiber involvement.
Sometimes neuropathy begins as small fiber neuropathy during the early stages.
Is Small Fiber Neuropathy Reversible?
Thats because symptoms of peripheral neuropathy typically become noticeable only after substantial nerve damage has occurred.
Why Is It So Hard to Know If You Have Small Fiber Neuropathy?
Simple diagnostic procedures do not easily examine small nerve fibers.
Neuropathy is diagnosed based on changes in reflexes, sensation, and motor strength.
Most of the time, this diagnostic investigation is not useful for making treatment decisions.
So, you may get a neuropathy diagnosis without a specific classification of small fiber neuropathy.
Certain medications can help alleviate damage to the peripheral nerves.
Treatment directed toward preventing the progression of small fiber neuropathy requires controlling the underlying medical condition.
The treatment options depend on the cause of the small fiber neuropathy.
These treatments will not reverse or cure the condition but can help you find temporary relief.
Pain can be present at any time without any trigger.
Coping with these issues can be challenging, but some strategies can help.
Be sure to ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice regarding pain treatments.
Sometimes a cold compress or a heating pad can relieve the pain associated with small fiber neuropathy.
Wearing gloves to help prevent frostbite (if your temperature sensation is impaired) could be beneficial.
You also may need to have quick access to a toilet in case you have urgency.
Sometimes quantitative sensory testing can help measure the extent of sensory involvement.
Treatment and medical management of neuropathy, including small fiber neuropathy, usually involves the care of aneurologist.
Your neurologist might prescribe medication to help alleviate pain symptoms.
You may be referred to a registered dietitian for nutritional counseling.
Summary
Small fiber neuropathy is a classification of neuropathy that involves small nerve fibers.
These nerve fibers detect sensation, pain, and temperature and help regulate involuntary functions like digestion.
Small fiber neuropathy is not specifically dangerous but is a sign of an underlying disease damaging the bodys nerves.
Isolated small fiber neuropathy is extremely rare, but small fiber neuropathy may begin before large fibers are damaged.
Symptomatic therapies are used for comfort and coping with limited sensation.
Treatments are also directed at reducing damage from the underlying condition contributing to nerve damage.
This might involve vitamin supplementation if you have a vitamin deficiency.
2023 Jun 9:pnad077.
