Myth:   Neuropathy is simply a malady of aging

Peripheral Neuropathy has, for many years, remained in the shadow of other illnesses, often overlooked as a malady of aging among other things. The general public—and even some in the medical community fail to recognize neuropathy for the insidious, and often debilitating disorder it really is.

Neuropathy encompasses more than 100 diseases and conditions affecting the peripheral nerves—the motor, sensory and autonomic nerves that connect the spinal cord to muscles, skin and internal organs. It usually affects the hands and feet, causing weakness, numbness, tingling and pain. Neuropathy’s course is variable; it can come and go, slowly progressing over many years, or it can become severe and debilitating. However, if diagnosed early, it can often be controlled.

Although neuropathy can occur at any age, it is most common in older adults. An estimated10% of the mature population suffers from this illness and, in fact, a 1999 survey found that 8-9% of Medicare recipients have neuropathy as their primary or secondary diagnosis, with an annual cost to Medicare exceeding $3.5 billion.