Inflammatory disease comes in a wide range of varieties, from arthritis to pulmonary conditions. While all are relatively serious and require some form of medical attention, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) should be taken very seriously.
What is CIDP?
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a progressive neurological condition that causes weakness and impaired function in the patient’s arms and legs. Nerves are covered with a fatty substance that allows electrical impulses to be passed to the rest of the body. CIDP occurs when the autoimmune system causes damage to this fatty covering that covers and protects the peripheral nerves. This condition has been shown to affect patients of all ages and genders, but predominately affects young adult males.
How Does CIDP Occur?
In many patients, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the condition. However, for many, CIDP occurs in conjunction with other conditions. Some of the most common are chronic hepatitis, diabetes, HIV, inflammatory bowel disease and lymphoma.
How Do I Know if it is CIDP?
Symptoms for CIDP can include noticeable loss of muscle mass, loss of reflexes, paralysis, general weakness and loss of sensations on both sides of the body. There are a variety of tests to check for CIDP. Some are simple, like nerve conduction tests, but others are more invasive, such as nerve biopsies and spinal taps. Tests can vary depending on the perceived cause of the condition as well. X-rays, imaging scans and blood tests can be used in some cases to determine the nature of the affliction.
Treatments
Most of treatments of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy are aimed at minimizing the effects of the condition. Many patients are prescribed steroid medication to reduce the symptoms associated with inflammation, while other medications may be prescribed to suppress the immune system. Other, more intensive treatments include removing antibodies from the blood using plasma exchange. On the other side of the coin, antibodies may be injected into the patient’s bloodstream to reduce the effect of the rogue antibodies that are the cause of the inflammatory problems.
Living with CIDP
Those who are affected by CIDP may continue to experience symptoms on a long-term basis; however, complete recovery is possible. Some patients may experience only a single bout and recover while others may have multiple recurrences. If treated early, individuals will be able to prevent the loss of nerve axons, but it is possible to be left with residual numbness or weakness.
Sources:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke – Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cidp/cidp.htm?Input=Continue
NCBI – Chronic Inflammatory Polyneuropathy: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001781
WebMD – Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: http://www.webmd.com/brain/chronic-inflammatory-demyelinating-polyneuropathy