Axonopathy is a disorder in which the processes of nerve cells are affected. They are located throughout the body, so the symptoms of the disease can be different.
Axon disease is classified as a group of polyneuropathies. The disease is considered to be a slowly developing degenerative process. The treatment of axonopathies is performed by a neurologist.
Like all disorders of the peripheral nervous system, the disease manifests itself as a violation of movement and sensitivity, autonomic symptoms. With adequate treatment, degeneration can be stopped, thereby improving the prognosis for life.
Causes and pathogenesis of
disease The defeat of peripheral nerve processes can develop due to the following reasons:
- Chemical poisoning .With prolonged action of the poison on the body there is a violation of intracellular metabolism of neurons, as a result of which deficiency of necessary nutrients develops and the tissue undergoes degeneration. The poisonous substances include: methyl alcohol, carbon monoxide, arsenic.
- Endocrine disorders of .Due to hormonal imbalance, metabolic processes in the body slow down. This affects all functions, including the transmission of nerve impulses along axons. Deficiency of vitamins .The lack of useful substances leads to a slowly progressive destruction of the peripheral processes.
- Chronic intoxication with ethyl alcohol .Axonopathy often develops in people with alcoholism for several years.
The mechanism of occurrence of disorders in axons is considered at the cellular level. In the peripheral processes there are no organelles, producing protein compounds( EPS, ribosomes).Therefore, for the functioning of peripheral parts, nutrients come from the body of the cell( neuron).They move to the axons by means of special transport systems. Under the influence of toxic substances or hormonal changes, the supply of proteins to the periphery is disrupted.
The pathological condition can also arise due to insufficient generation of energy in the mitochondria, which leads to disruption of the anterograde transport of phospholipids and glycoproteins. Degeneration is particularly pronounced in long axons. For this reason, the main symptoms of the disease are felt in the distal parts of the limbs.
The defeat of the peripheral processes gradually leads to the death of the entire cell. In this case, it is impossible to restore functions. If the body of the neuron remains intact, then regression of the pathology is possible.
Risk Factors for
Cell metabolism does not occur without a cause.
In some cases it seems that the provoking factor was absent, however it is not.
Thus, a subacute and chronic variant of axonopathy develops. In these cases, degeneration occurs gradually.
The risk factors for the onset of the pathological process include:
- chronic intoxication, which is not always noticeable - it is exposed to people working in hazardous production, taking long-term medications that live in unfavorable conditions;
- presence of inflammatory neurological diseases caused by infectious agents;
- oncological pathology;
- chronic diseases of internal organs;
- alcohol abuse.
Types of pathological condition
There are 3 types of axonopathy, which differ in the mechanism of development, the severity of the clinical picture and the etiologic factor.
- Violation of 1 type refers to acute degenerative processes, the disease occurs when serious poisoning of the body.
- Subacute pathological process characterizes the violation of 2 type , to which metabolic disturbances result. Often, it is diabetes mellitus, gout, etc.
- Degeneration of peripheral processes 3 type develops more slowly than other variants of the disease. This type of disease is often observed in people with weakened immunity and suffering from alcoholism.
Clinical manifestations of
The initial symptom of axonopathy is a decrease in sensitivity, which occurs gradually. The clinical picture of is characterized by a sensation of goosebumps in the foot and hand, numbness of the fingers. Then there is a complete loss of deep sensitivity by the type of "socks" and "gloves".When the pathological condition progresses, a person may not feel pain and temperature stimuli.
A pronounced degenerative process is manifested by motor impairment. The patient is troubled by weakness, lameness. In the terminal stage of the disease peripheral paralysis and paresis develop. Tendon reflexes are weakened or not caused at all.
Degenerations are exposed to the axons of the lower and upper limbs, cranial nerves. Axonopathy of the peroneal nerve is expressed by the following symptoms:
- suffers motor activity of the leg - the process of flexion and extension is broken;
- lack of pronation and supination;
- decreases the strength in the calf muscles, which results in a change in gait.
Lesion of the oculomotor nerve leads to strabismus, ptosis. There can be a decrease in visual acuity and narrowing of the fields of visibility.
If a diaphragmatic nerve is involved in the degenerative process, then characteristic Horner's syndrome develops, which is characterized by the development of ptosis, miosis, and enophthalmos( eyeball overgrowth).
When the vagus nerve is damaged, the innervation of the internal organs is violated, clinically it is manifested by tachycardia, by the increase in BHD.
Diagnostic methods and treatment
Diagnosis of the disease by a neurologist when performing a specific examination. He performs a sensitivity study, tests muscle strength and reflexes. To determine the causes of the pathological condition, laboratory diagnostics is carried out. Patients should submit a general and biochemical blood test. The content of mineral substances is assessed: calcium, sodium and potassium, glucose.
In case of violations from the hemodynamics, the ECG is performed. Also, chest X-ray is shown. To exclude CNS diseases, perform electroencephalography and ultrasound of the head vessels.
Specific diagnostics include electroneuromyography. This study allows you to assess the prevalence of damage to peripheral processes, as well as determine how the impulse is carried out.
With degenerative processes, the treatment of axonopathy is prolonged. In addition to the development of musculature with the help of exercise therapy and massage, the use of medicines is shown.
These include drugs from the group of nootropics, vitamins of group B. Assign medicines
Fenotropil, Pyracetam, Neuromultivitis, which help restore metabolism inside the cells of the nervous system. Also shown are drugs to improve blood circulation in the brain, with their help improves nutrition of the brain tissue - Cerebrolysin, Actovegin.
With hormonal imbalance, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease, which led to the development of axonopathy. Complications of pathology include paralysis, blindness, cardiovascular diseases and ONMI.
Preventive measures include combating provoking factors - intoxication effects, alcoholism. When diabetes is necessary to maintain a normal level of glucose. The appearance of paresthesia is considered an excuse for contacting a neurologist.