This book provides comprehensive coverage of small fiber neuropathy (SFN), from diagnosis to therapy. It focuses on nerve degeneration and neuropathic pain, and their underlying pathology, physiology, psychophysics, genetics and imaging. In particular, this book describes and discusses the major advances in diagnostic techniques for assessing SFN. These include skin biopsy, evoked potentials, quantitative sensory testing and functional studies, as biomarkers of SFN. SFN is a common peripheral nerve disorder, but was often overlooked due to a lack of objective and specific diagnostic tests for the assessment of small nerve fibers. These fibers mediate thermal sensation, pain detection (nociception), and autonomic regulation. Major symptoms of SFN include neuropathic pain, impaired sensation and autonomic dysfunction. Neuropathic pain poses a diagnostic challenge to clinicians, an essential step for selecting appropriate treatment to relieve suffering. SFN frequently develops in systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, following chemotherapy, infections etc., or presents as a major feature of various genetic neuropathies (e.g. channelopathy and familial amyloidosis). In addition to describing these conditions which lead to SFN, this book also describes related syndromes of neurodegeneration and pain, including fibromyalgia, visceral pain and hypersensitivity. This definitive book covers both clinical aspects and research progress, which provides in-depth and up-to-date information on SFN. It would be immensely useful for clinicians, neurologists, neuroscientists, diabetologists, and pain specialists. Dr. Sung-Tsang Hsieh is a professor at Department of Neurology and Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan. He is also the associate dean of College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan. Dr. Praveen Anand is a professor at Department of Clinical Neurology and head of Centre for Clinical Translation, Hammersmith Hospital, UK. Dr. Christopher Gibbons is an associate professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, USA. Dr. Claudia Sommer is a professor of Neurology at the Department of Neurology, Würzburg University Hospital, Germany.

It has been months or even years since you felt normal. Every day is a challenge - getting up from bed, feeling tired and disoriented, worried about yet another repetitive day, in which you have to cope with that omnipresent feeling of anxiety, that horrible energy within you, which prevents you from sitting down calmly, watching a movie with your family, meeting friends or going to the shop. Yes, that dreaded place, where your feet turn into jelly and you fight to stay upright, your vision blurs and everything looks crooked, that damned milk is nowhere to be found, your heart is racing, your palms get wet, your head gets numb and finally that lump in your throat says what you've been fearing all along: "Oh, God, it's happening! It's happening right here, in front of all these people!" You know very well what I am talking about. And you can't stand it. You don't want one more minute of it. You want to feel normal right now. At least for a while, just a quick relief from all these hours, days, months and even years of suffering. Instead you are overwhelmed by a multitude of dreadful symptoms (which I will later address in detail and help you with): high heart rate, shallow breath, sweaty and trembling hands, "jelly" feet, problems with your digestive system, muscle tension, especially in your head, neck and upper shoulders, loss of sex drive, vision and auditory disorders, poor sleep, irritability and aggression - particularly toward your closest ones, withdrawal from social events, fatigue and lack of any desire to engage in physical activities or exercise, obsession and compulsion, claustrophobia and agoraphobia, hypochondria, addiction, feelings of dissociation and unreality, panic attacks and depression. Does it sound familiar? Well, I can promise two things. First, you won't get better now. I know it's hard to tell someone who suffered for many months, even many years, that he needs to set aside even more time. But that's the reality of the situation. If you break your leg, it needs a couple of months to recover. Your overworked nerves are waiting to heal in very much the same way - just give them the time they need! Second, and most important, if you follow the advice in this book, you will recover. Yes, you will be that old carefree fellow that didn't think about himself all the time, but instead enjoyed his life, his friends, his family, going out to the movies and standing calmly in line, at the shop. Not in a hurry to anywhere, content with life. I've tried to make this text as concise as possible - reading long books, when you can't concentrate on anything is hard, I know. I've also made sure to rephrase and repeat the most important parts, so my advice gets through that heavy mental fog you've been experiencing and guides you on the right track. It will be worth it, I promise. And you will also learn how not to fall into the same trap again.

Dr. John E. Sarno's groundbreaking research on TMS (Tension Myoneural Syndrome) reveals how stress and other psychological factors can cause back pain-and how you can be pain free without drugs, exercise, or surgery. Dr. Sarno's program has helped thousands of patients find relief from chronic back conditions. In this New York Times bestseller, Dr. Sarno teaches you how to identify stress and other psychological factors that cause back pain and demonstrates how to heal yourself--without drugs, surgery or exercise. Find out: Why self-motivated and successful people are prone to Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS) How anxiety and repressed anger trigger muscle spasms How people condition themselves to accept back pain as inevitable With case histories and the results of in-depth mind-body research, Dr. Sarno reveals how you can recognize the emotional roots of your TMS and sever the connections between mental and physical pain...and start recovering from back pain today.

Peripheral neuropathy affects 10 to 20 million people in the U.S, including ten per cent of all people who have diabetes. This condition has numerous causes, but can be associated with diseases such as HIV, alcoholism, and lupus, and may result from treatments for other medical conditions, such as cancer chemotherapy. Symptoms include pain, numbness, loss of balance, and tingling in the extremities. Although a widespread condition, most people don't know about it, and when diagnosed find it difficult to obtain information. Peripheral Neuropathy, by Norman Latov, Professor of Neurology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, explains what we know about neuropathy, including its causes and manifestations, and what can be done to manage it. Topics covered include: The causes of peripheral neuropathy Drug therapy for the condition itself and for managing symptoms such as pain Interventional therapy Caring for your feet Personal accounts of people living with neuropathy Alternative medicines, and much more This indispensable guide will help millions of people understand this condition so that they can take control of their lives and make informed decisions. In addition, it will be a useful resource for their families, caregivers, and health care providers.

Healing and symptom relief from an expert in treating this debilitating and dangerous condition. Nearly one in fifteen people—that's 20 million people in the United States—suffers from peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage. Caused by such conditions as diabetes, cancer, vitamin deficiencies, and kidney disease as well as certain drugs and toxins, neuropathy brings numbness, tingling, and burning in the feet, legs, and fingertips. Neuropathy can be more than uncomfortable—it can be disabling: people whose fingertips are numb may find it hard to button clothing and complete other everyday tasks. Neuropathy is often dangerous, as well: people who cannot feel their feet are more likely to stumble and fall, and they may not notice injuries that need medical attention. Dr. Janice F. Wiesman, a neurologist with twenty years of experience helping people who have neuropathy find relief, shares her special insights into this painful and debilitating condition. With exceptional clarity, Dr. Wiesman begins by outlining the basics of nerve anatomy and function. She explains how peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed and treated, describes neuropathy’s disparate causes, and offers readers lifestyle changes that can help keep nerves healthy. A useful glossary defines terms, patient stories offer real-world experiences, and illustrations provide a visual key to the condition. A detailed resources section points the reader to reliable web sites and organizations that offer more help. Concentrating on the most common types of neuropathy, Dr. Wiesman provides hope, help, and comfort to patients, families, and caregivers.

This 5000-page masterwork is literally the last word on the topic and will be an essential resource for many. Unique in its breadth and detail, this encyclopedia offers a comprehensive and highly readable guide to a complex and fast-expanding field. The five-volume reference work gathers more than 10,000 entries, including in-depth essays by internationally known experts, and short keynotes explaining essential terms and phrases. In addition, expert editors contribute detailed introductory chapters to each of 43 topic fields ranging from the fundamentals of neuroscience to fascinating developments in the new, inter-disciplinary fields of Computational Neuroscience and Neurophilosophy. Some 1,000 multi-color illustrations enhance and expand the writings.