Wake Up Call For Sue

Peripheral Neuropathy NOT Diabetic neuropathy

Is what Chuck and *I* have.

It can be caused from HEAVY METALS, AS IN

Hg toxicity.

This is from the Merck
Manual:

Types of Neuropathies:
Mononeuropathy = disease of a single nerve
Multiple Mononeuropathy = 2 or more nerves in separate areas
Polyneuropathy = many nerves simultaneously


Some causes of Peripheral Neuropathy:(not intended to be an all-inconclusive
list - I listed just a few ).


Diabetes,
Trauma / Injury:
Carpal Tunnel or other diseases that cause entrapment of the nerve, Pressure
(like in people that are paralyzed, in a coma or bedridden); Tumors; Violent
muscular activity or forcible overextension of a joint (constant; tight
gripping of an object or constant vibration, like that caused by air hammer
operators).
Hemorrhage; Exposure to cold or radiation; Lack of blood supply


Disease processes:
SLE; Scleroderma; Sarcoidosis; RA; Infectious agents (Lyme disease); Viral
infections (Guillain-Barre syndrome)


Toxic Agents:
Sulfonamides; Phenytoin (Dilantin); barbital, chlorobutanol; hexobarbital;
heavy metals; carbon monoxide; many other solvents and other industrial
poisons


Nutritional Deficiency:
Vitamin b deficiency (this can be caused by alcoholism; anemia; INH -drug
used for TB; disorders that prevent absorption of vitamin B; hypothyroidism;
patients on dialysis; )


Malignancy:
Myeloma; lymphoma


Basically, anything that prevents the nerve from properly sending the
sensation of pain and/or temperature to the brain; or anything that prevents
the brain from sending signals to the muscles telling them to contract and
relax. The signs and symptoms depend on which nerve(s) are affected. Some
neuropathies only affect sensory nerves (pain, temperature) while other
neuropathies affect motor nerves (muscle movement).


Shell



twcole wrote in message <72f4np$va...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx­y.net>...

>-----------------------------­------------------------------­----------------
-
>----


>What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
> Peripheral Neuropathy is the term used to describe disorders resulting
>from injury to the peripheral nerves. It can be caused by diseases that
>affect only the peripheral nerves or by conditions that affect other parts
>of the body as well. And symptoms almost always involve weakness, numbness
>or pain - usually in the arms and legs. It will be helpful for you to know
a
>few basics of nerve biology to understand how neuropathy gets started.
> The Peripheral Nervous System is one of the two main divisions of the
>body's nervous system. (The other is the Central Nervous System, which
>includes the brain and spinal cord.) "Peripheral" means away from the
>center: and this system contains the nerves that connect the Central
Nervous
>System to the muscles, skin and internal organs.
===================

http://search.medscape.com/px/mscpsearch?QueryText=peripheral+neuroapthy+heavy+metals&searchfor=Clinical&cid=med

http://www.medscape.com/medsca­pe/PhysicianAsst/AskExperts/20­00/09/PA-ae1
7.html


Ask the Experts on . . .


What Could Cause Peripheral Neuropathy in an Adult Woman?
------------------------------­------------------------------­------------


Question
A 40-year-old female presents with bilateral numbness, weakness, and
loss of sensation in all fingers above the proximal interphalangeal
joints sparing the thumbs. The pain has been constant for approximately
a month and worsening; there are no other neurologic system complaints
or any positive findings on physical examination. What are the
differential diagnoses for peripheral neuropathy?


Stephanie Cullinane, PA-C


Response
from Blaine Carmichael, PA-C, 09/07/00
The most common categories of peripheral neuropathy are either acquired
or inherited. Two sets of questions must be addressed initially: Is the
neuropathy a polyneuropathy or mononeuropathy? Second, is the process
acute, subacute, or chronic?


The causes of acute ascending motor paralysis with minimal sensory
disturbance comprise Guillain-Barré syndrome and diphtheritic
polyneuropathy; subacute causes may include nutritional deficiency,
alcoholism (beriberi), pellagra, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Another
category of subacute causes of polyneuropathy includes poisoning with
heavy metals and solvents, such as arsenic, lead, mercury, thallium,
methyl-n-butylketone, n-hexane, methyl bromide, organophosphates, and
acrylamide. Additional causes may include drug intoxication (isoniazid,
ethionamide, hydralazine, nitrofurantoin, disulfiram, vincristine,
chloramphenicol, phenytoin, dapsone), uremic neuropathy, mononeuropathy
multiplex typically seen in diabetes mellitus, sarcoidosis, and
polyarteritis nodosa.


Causes of chronic polyneuropathy may include a benign form seen in
elderly patients, connective tissue diseases, uremia, beriberi carcinoma
(paraneoplastic syndrome), paraproteinemias, hypothyroidism,
amyloidosis, diabetes mellitus, and leprosy.[1]


In terms of this patient's symptoms, particularly the tingling sensation
in all of her fingers, all of these causes of peripheral neuropathy
should be considered. A number of the polyneuropathies have obvious and
well-defined causes such as diabetes, uremia, or nutritional
deficiencies. Other entities to consider include mechanical pressure
(eg, compression or entrapment [carpal tunnel syndrome]), direct trauma,
penetrating injuries, contusions, fracture or dislocated bones; pressure
involving the superficial nerves (ulna, radial, or peroneal) which can
result from prolonged use of crutches or staying in 1 position for too
long. Among the collagen vascular disorders, systemic lupus
erythematosus, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and
polyarteritis nodosa may be included in the differential diagnosis.


Common causes of peripheral mononeuropathies include repetitive
activities such as typing or working on an assembly line.[2] In this
case, the neuropathy may be isolated to the upper extremities, such as
with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS); although sparing of the thumbs is
unusual, it does not exclude this diagnosis. Other entities to consider
include medications and chemical exposures. Medications causing
peripheral neuropathy include several AIDS drugs (HIVID (zalcitabine)
[formerly called 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC)], and VIDEX® (didanosine)
[formerly called dideoxyinosine (ddI)]), the antibiotics metronidazole
and isoniazid, gold compounds, and antineoplastic agents such as
vincristine.


The initial evaluation should include a fasting serum glucose,
glycosylated hemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, complete blood
cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, urinalysis, vitamin B12 and
thyrotropin stimulating hormone levels. Electromyelogram and nerve
conduction studies are often the most useful initial laboratory studies
in the evaluation of a patient with peripheral neuropathy.[3] A
neurology referral is indicated if the initial evaluation does not
result in a diagnosis.


Treatment includes removal of the offending agents in toxic
neuropathies. For example, in alcoholic neuropathy alcohol cessation is
advised, while In Lyme disease pathogens are removed with antibiotic
treatment. In deficiency state syndromes as beriberi, scurvy, or
pernicious anemia, appropriate vitamin replacement is indicated, and in
relapsing demyelinating polyneuritis, steroids and plasma exchanges may
be needed. Neuropathic pain in polyneuropathies is treated with a
bedtime dose of amitriptyline. Neuralgic pain (stabbing, shooting) is
treated with anticonvulsant doses of phenytoin or carbamazepine.
Capsaicin cream is useful for neuropathic pain. For compression
mononeuropathies (such as carpal tunnel syndrome), first treat with
splints, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or local steroid
injections. If these primary care approaches fail, a referral for
surgical release is indicated.


References


1. Dyck P, Thomas P, eds. Peripheral Neuropathy, vol. 2, 3rd ed.
Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders Co.; 1992.
2. Hallett M, Tandon D, Berardelli A. Treatment of peripheral
neuropathies. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1985;48;1193-1207.
3. Dyck PJ, Thomas PK, eds. Diabetic Neuropathy, 2nd ed.
Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders Co.; 1999.


Suggested Reading
Bracker MD, Ralph LP. The numb arm and hand. Am Fam Physician.
1995;51:103-116.


McLeod JG. Investigation of peripheral neuropathy. J Neurol Neurosurg
Psychiatry. 1995;58:274-283.


Poncelet AN. An algorithm for the evaluation of peripheral neuropathy.
Am Fam Physician. 1998;57:755-764. Available at
http://www.aafp.org/afp/980215­ap/poncelet.html


Comments
9/13/00
Excellent article.


I just wanted to bring amyloidosis more to the forefront in evaluating
peripheral neuropathies. This woman's case doesn't classically fit
amyloidosis. However, amyloidosis is such a devastating disease for
which there is now treatment available, that I wanted to highlight it.
Patients with amyloidosis often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed while the
disease ravages their bodies. Early treatment is vital to get optimal
results from the treatment. The current recommended treatment is
high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant.


Rosalie Cauble PA-C
USA
=============

http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/search?query=peripheral%20neuropathy

==========

http://neuro-www.mgh.harvard.edu/forum_2/PeripheralNeuropathyF/12.4.998.20PMALLMUSTREAD..html

=============


http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~afXN44:14

The dental amalgam issue: A review.
Authors: HANSON M
PLEVA J


Author Address: Nils Pals vag 28, S-24014 Veberod, Swed.


Source: EXPERIENTIA (BASEL); 47 (1). 1991. 9-22.


Abstract: BIOSIS COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Using an interdisciplinary approach,
the
current position in the dental amalgam controversy and the potential impact
of
amalgam mercury of human health are reviewed. Aspects of materials science,
corrosion, mercury exposure, toxicology, neurology and immunology are
included.
New data on mercury exposure form corroded amalgam fillings in vivo are
presented. The exposure can reach levels considerably over known threshold
limit values. Also, measurements of mercury absorption from intraoral air
are
presented. The vital importance of avoiding a galvanic amalgam-gold coupling
is
emphasized. the symptomatology of a disabled patient, who recovered after
amalgam removal, has been included. It is concluded that discussion of the
dental amalgam issue has suffered from the lack of an interdisciplinary
approach. It would be wise to learn from the lesson of acrodynia, and
consider
amalgam mercury among other possible factors in neurological and
immunological
diseases of unclear etio


http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~afXN44:24

Neurological and behavioural disorders in humans have been observed
following
inhalation of elemental mercury vapour, ingestion or dermal application of
inorganic mercury-containing medicinal products, such as teething powders,
ointments, and laxatives, and ingestion of contaminated food. A broad range
of
symptoms has been reported, and these symptoms are qualitatively similar,
irrespective of the mercury compound to which one is exposed. Specific
neurotoxic symptoms include tremors, emotional lability, insomnia, memory
loss,
neuromuscular changes, headaches, polyneuropathy, and performance deficits
in
tests of cognitive and motor function. Although improvement in most
neurological dysfunctions has been observed upon removal of persons from the
source of exposure, some changes may be irreversible. Acrodynia and
photophobia
have been reported in children exposed to excessive levels of metallic
mercury
vapours and/or inorganic mercury compounds. As with many effects, there is
great variability in the susceptibility of humans to the neurotoxic effects
of
mercury. The primary effect of long-term oral exposure to low amounts of
inorganic mercury compounds is renal damage. Inorganic forms of mercury have
also been associated with immunological effects in both humans and
susceptible
strains of laboratory rodents,

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~afXN44:29

Mercury Burden and Health Impairment in Dental Auxilaries


Authors: Shapiro IM
Bloch P
Ship II
Spitz L
Sumner A
Uzzell B


Source: Final Report, Grant R01-OH-00886, 26 pages, 8 references0000


Abstract: An effort was made to develop a safe and effective x-ray
fluorescence
system for monitoring mercury (7439976) and other elements in human tissues
in-situ, to determine mercury levels in 207 dental auxiliaries exposed to
dental amalgam on the job, to evaluate mercury in matching nonexposed
populations and in 298 dentists using mercury amalgam, and to evaluate
deficiencies in central and peripheral nervous systems resulting from the
mercury exposure. Mercury levels were below 20 micrograms/gram in 60 percent
of
the dentists and 90 percent of the dental auxiliaries. Dentists with the
higher
mercury concentrations in their heads or wrists had considerably longer
median
motor distal latencies and median F-wave latency. Five of them demonstrated
abnormalities consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome; seven had
polyneuropathies defined as reduced motor or sensory conduction velocities
of
response amplitudes in two or more nerves. No significant differences were
found in the results of neurological studies conducted on dental
auxiliaries,
whether they had high levels or no detectable levels of mercury in their
bodies. Neuropsychological tests indicated both groups of dental workers
were
adversely affected by mercury exposure. Deficits were noted in performance
in
grooved pegboard and recurrent figures tests.


http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/mercury/medical.htm

Safe Mercury Management


http://www.edelsoncenter.com/Mercury/mercury_amalgams.htm

http://tuberose.com/Mercury.html

http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section14/chapter183/183f.htm


Toxic agents generally cause polyneuropathy but sometimes mononeuropathy.
They
include emetine, hexobarbital, barbital, chlorobutanol, sulfonamides,
phenytoin, nitrofurantoin, the vinca alkaloids, ****heavy metals****, carbon
monoxide, triorthocresyl phosphate, orthodinitrophenol, many solvents, other
industrial poisons, and certain AIDS drugs (eg, zalcitabine, didanosine).


http://www.myfootshop.com/detail.asp?Condition=Peripheral%20Neuropathy


Differential Diagnosis:
Peripheral neuropathy is a symptoms of a more general disease process
including;


Collagen vascular conditions - Systemic lupus, scleroderma, sarcoidosis,
diabetes or Lyme's DiseaseToxic agents - Chemicals and drugs include
emetine,
hexobarbital, barbital, chlorobutanol, sulfonimides, phenytoin,
nitrofurantion,
vinca alkyloids, *****heavy metals******, carbon monoxide,
triorthocresylphosphate, orthodinitrophenol. Excessive alcohol intake is a
common toxic agent.


http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000593.htm


The peripheral nerves are responsible for relaying information from your


*****central nervous system *****


(brain and spinal cord) to muscles and other organs. Peripheral nerves also
relay information back to your spinal cord and brain from your skin, joints,
and other organs. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when these nerves fail to
function properly, resulting in loss of sensation, pain, or inability to
control muscles.


Exposure to toxic compounds
sniffing glue or other toxic compounds
nitrous oxide
industrial agents--especially solvents
heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.)


http://www.hendrickhealth.org/healthy/001046.htm


The classification system is composed of six principal neuropathic
syndromes,
which are subdivided into more specific categories. By narrowing down the
possible diagnoses in this way, specific medical tests can be used more
efficiently and effectively. The six syndromes and a few associated causes
are
listed below:


Subacute sensorimotor paralysis. The term sensorimotor refers to
neuropathies
that are mainly characterized by sensory symptoms, but also have a minor
component of motor nerve problems. Poisoning with heavy metals (e.g., lead,
mercury, and arsenic),


Heavy metals are the third group of toxins that cause peripheral neuropathy.
Lead, arsenic, thallium, and mercury usually are not toxic in their
elemental
form, but rather as components in organic or inorganic compounds.


http://www.injuryboard.com/view.cfm/ID=358


Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition characterized by a group of symptoms
related to abnormalities in sensory or motor nerves. Nerve endings that
culminate in muscles, blood vessels, and skin are affected resulting in
nerve
damage to the hands, toes, fingers, arms, and legs. A loss of bladder
control
may also occur. The use of certain medications and exposure to toxic
chemicals
are leading causes of peripheral neuropathy. Solvents such as n-hexane can
lead
to the disorder as well as prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide and heavy
metals.


http://www.aafp.org/afp/980215ap/poncelet.html


Metal neuropathy Chronic arsenic intoxication Mercury Gold Thallium


http://praxis.md/common/bhg/bhg.asp?page=BHG01NE12§ion=report


Exposure to toxic chemicals can cause neuropathy.
Toxic chemicals that can cause neuropathy include industrial agents such as
solvents; heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury; pesticides; and
nitrous oxide.



>> http://www.neurologychannel.co­m/neuropathy/>>

>> Neuropathy(also known as peripheral neuropathy, sensory peripheral
>neuropathy,
>> or peripheral neuritis) is a painful condition related to damaged
>peripheral
>> nerves. Peripheral nervesare the nerves that branch out from the spinal
>cord
>> and connect the brain (via the spinal cord) to all the parts of the body.
>> Peripheral nerves are fragile and can be easily damaged by many factors
>such as
>> diabetes, infections (including leprosy), alcoholism, autoimmune
>> diseases,
>and
>> exposure to**** heavy metals**** or toxic solvents. Mechanical pressure
>> on
>a
>> nerve, whether from an injury, bone fracture, tumor, or any number of
>other
>> problems, can cause what is known as entrapment, or obstructive,
>neuropathy.
>> Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common obstructive neuropathy. Neuropathy
>affects
>> more than 2 million Americans at any given time. In the U.S., diabetes is
>one
>> of the most common causes of neuropathy, although leprosy, which is
>> caused
>by a
>> bacterial infection, is the most common cause of neuropathy worldwide.


>> Peripheral Nueropathy Experts.


>> http://thriveonline.oxygen.com­/cgi-bin/thriveall?vcs_persona­lity=thri...
>> l&vcs_mode=search_db&vcs_range­=1-60&expert_bill=&thriveterm=­peripheral+neu
>> ropathy&x=44&y=6


>> The list of possible causes of a peripheral neuropathy is a long one. It
>> includes diabetes, many drugs, various industrial chemicals, alcoholism,
>Lyme
>> disease, various vitamin deficiencies, ****various metal poisonings
>(arsenic,
>> lead, mercury)****, HIV infection, syphilis, and diphtheria. Although
>vitamin
>> deficiencies, alcoholism, syphilis, and diphtheria accounted for most
>cases in
>> the pre-antibiotic era, diabetes is probably the most common identifiable
>cause
>> now. There is also an inherited form of the condition which may be more
>common
>> than most doctors appreciate. The inherited form of peripheral neuropathy
>is
>> usually not severe, does not progress rapidly, and does not produce
>debility
>> such as inability to walk.
=============

http://www.medicinenet.com/peripheral_neuropathy/article.htm

===========

http://www.khorrami.com/Amalga­m%20Web/Amalgam/Mercury%20Toxi­city.htm


Studies have confirmed more subtle effects such as preclinical changes in
kidney function and behavioral and cognitive changes associated with effects
on
the central nervous system.


http://www.mercuryeis.com/docu­ments/healthfactsheet_screen.p­df


The Central Nervous system is the major organ afected by chronic (long term)
exposure to elemental mercury


http://www.orcbs.msu.edu/AWARE­/pamphlets/hazwaste/mercuryfac­ts.html


Chronic effects include central nervous system effects, kidney damage and
birth
defects. Genetic damage is also suspected.Nervous system effects. These are
the
most critical effects of chronic mercury exposure from adult exposure as
they
are consistent and pronounced. some elemental mercury is dissolved in the
blood
and may be transported across the blood/brain barrier, oxidized and retained
in
brain tissue


http://robleslawcenter.com/Mer­cury.htm


Mercury poisoning is the ill effects on humans nervous system and other
bodily
systems due to the over-exposure of mercury. Mercury is a neurotoxin,
meaning
it affects the nervous system


Nerve damage: It may start with a fine tremor (shaking) of the hand, loss of
sensitivity in hands and feet, difficulty in walking, or slurred speech.
Tremors may also occur in the tongue and eyelids. Eventually this can
progress
to trouble balancing and walking. It has even caused paralysis and death in
rare cases.


http://www.vdh.state.va.us/HHC­ontrol/Mercury.PDF


The Nervous System is sensitive to all forms of mercury.


http://www.khorrami.com/Amalga­m%20Web/Amalgam/Mercury%20Toxi­city.htm


Mercury is also poisonous to the human nervous system.


http://www.llnl.gov/es_and_h/h­sm/doc_14.05/doc14-05.html#2.1


All forms of mercury are toxic. Elemental mercury, as a vapor, penetrates
the
central nervous system, where it is ionized and trapped, attributing to its
extreme toxic effects


http://groups.google.com/group­s?q=peripheral+neuropathy+heav­y+metals&;...


Ted,This is a great explanation! I will add my .02 cents. This is from the
MerckManual:Types of Neuropathies:Mononeuropathy = disease of a single
nerveMultiple Mononeuropathy = 2 or more nerves in separate
areasPolyneuropathy
= many nerves simultaneouslySome causes of Peripheral Neuropathy:(not
intended
to be an all-inconclusivelist - I listed just a few ).Diabetes,Trauma /
Injury:Carpal Tunnel or other diseases that cause entrapment of the nerve,
Pressure(like in people that are paralyzed, in a coma or bedridden); Tumors;
Violentmuscular activity or forcible overextension of a joint (constant;
tightgripping of an object or constant vibration, like that caused by air
hammeroperators).Hemorrhage; Exposure to cold or radiation; Lack of blood
supplyDisease processes:SLE; Scleroderma; Sarcoidosis; RA; Infectious agents
(Lyme disease); Viralinfections (Guillain-Barre syndrome)Toxic
Agents:Sulfonamides; Phenytoin (Dilantin); barbital, chlorobutanol;
hexobarbital;***heavy metals***; carbon monoxide; many other solvents and
other
industrial poisons


http://www.aafp.org/afp/980215­ap/poncelet.html


Metal neuropathy
Chronic arsenic intoxication


Mercury


Gold


Thallium


http://www.aafp.org/afp/971200­ap/mcknight.html


Toxins Chemotherapy


Heavy metals


Medications (didanosine [Videx],


zalcitabine [Hivid], stavudine [Zerit])


Industrial exposures Chronic overdosage of pyridoxine


World Health Organization: Recommended Health-Based Limits on
OccupationalExposure to Heavy Metals. Report of a WHO Study Group, 467 WHO
Tech. Rep. Ser.1 (1980) ("Exposure of women of child-bearing age to mercury
vapor should be aslow as possible because elemental mercury readily passes
the
placentalbarrier."). See also, Macdonald, Occupational Hazards in Dentistry,
12
J.CALIF. DENT. A. 17 (1984).


Mercury is also poisonous to the human nervous system


http://www.ucalgary.ca/~gauntl­et/eg/news/stories/20010329/ne­ws05.html


Mercury damages nerve cells
U of C researcher records destruction of essential structures
A University of Calgary researcher knows exactly how your fillings can
wreck your brain cells.


Professor of physiology and biophysics Dr. Fritz Lorscheider
recently found and recorded the damage caused to neurons by the mercury
contained in mercury amalgam fillings. He said people should take notice of
these findings.


"We need to take mercury exposure much more seriously," he said.


http://groups.google.com/group­s?q=peripheral+neuropathy+heav­y+metals&;...
=90&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=6J­bV8.937%24A43.83724%40newsread­2.prod.itd.earthlink.net&rnum=­95


>From a naturopathic standpoint, various American bio-technology
patentsreflect
that certain Mycoplasma infections can be addressed with teapolyphenols,
sulfatides (hominis), and monoclonal antibodies. Otherreported alternative
treatments include the heavy metals (such as


colloidal silver,


gold,


lead,


and mercury


==

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-­bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~K5DNZ­b:4


Authors:


Taskinen H


Kinnunen E


Riihimaki V


Source: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, Vol. 15, No.
4,
pages 302-304, 10 references, 1989


Abstract:


A possible case of mercury (7439976) poisoning resulting from grinding old
amalgam fillings was described. A 60 year old female developed stomatitis,
sore
throat, an odd taste in her mouth, dizziness, and headache starting 2 weeks
after two teeth previously filled with amalgams were ground. The procedure
was
part of a 2.5 month series of dental treatments to improve her occlusion.
During the treatment 11 more amalgam filled teeth were ground. Two months
after
beginning the treatment the patient experienced sharp pains in her thorax, a
temperature of 38.9 degrees-C and erythrocyte sedimentation rates of 26 to
28
millimeters per hour for 3 weeks. During the last month of dental treatment
she
lost the sense of touch in her left hand fingers, her fingers became
sensitive
to cold, and her left hand grip weakened. The sense of touch in her left
foot
became weaker and she developed muscular twitchings of the upper lip. She
had
difficulty in remembering things and her general health deteriorated. One
year
later a neurological examination revealed peripheral neuropathy which
gradually
improved over the next year. Electroneuromyograms of the upper and lower
limbs
and electroencephalograms were normal. Her cognitive capabilities were good;
however, some impairment in motor performance was noted. Urine samples
obtained
at periodic intervals starting 3 months after dental treatment showed
initial
mercury concentrations of approximately 20 micrograms per liter (microg/l)
gradually decreasing to 1microg/l over the next year. The authors conclude
that
some of the patient's symptoms may have been due to mercury poisoning
resulting
from inhaling mercury vapor generated by grinding the amalgams. A potential
risk of mercury vapor exposure exists for both the patient and dentist when
old
amalgams are ground extensively.


=========

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/en­trez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&d­b=PubMed&;...


http://tinyurl.com/2pfs4


1: Toxicol Pathol. 2002 Nov-Dec;30(6):714-22. Related Articles, Links


An autopsy case of minamata disease (methylmercury poisoning)--pathological
viewpoints of peripheral nerves.


Eto K, Tokunaga H, Nagashima K, Takeuchi T.


National Institute for Minamata Disease, Ministry of the Environment,
Minamata
City, Kumamoto, Japan. kom...@xxxxxxxxxx


The outbreak of methylmercury poisoning in the geographic areas around
Minamata
Bay, Kumamoto, Japan in the 1950s has become known as Minamata disease.
Based
on earlier reports and extensive pathological studies on autopsied cases at
the
Kumamoto University School of Medicine, destructive lesions in the anterior
portion of the calcarine cortex and depletion predominantly of granular
cells
in the cerebellar cortex came to be recognized as the hallmark and
diagnostic
yardstick of methylmercury poisoning in humans. As the number of autopsy
cases
of Minamata disease increased, it became apparent that the cerebral lesion
was
not restricted to the calcarine cortex but was relatively widespread. Less
severe lesions, believed to be responsible for the motor symptoms of
Minamata
patients, were often found in the precentral, postcentral, and lateral
temporal
cortices. These patients also frequently presented with signs of sensory
neuropathy affecting the distal extremities. Because of few sufficiently
comprehensive studies, peripheral nerve degeneration has not been
universally
accepted as a cause of the sensory disturbances in Minamata patients. The
present paper describes both biopsy and autopsy findings of the peripheral
nerves in a male fisherman who died at the age of 64 years and showed the
characteristic central nervous system lesions of Minamata disease at
autopsy. A
sural nerve biopsy with electron microscopy performed 1 month prior to his
death showed endoneurial fibrosis and regenerated myelin sheaths. At autopsy
the dorsal roots and sural nerve showed endoneurial fibrosis, loss of nerve
fibers, and presence of Bungner's bands. The spinal cord showed Wallerian
degeneration of the fasciculus gracilis (Goll's tract) with relative
preservation of neurons in sensory ganglia. These findings support the
contention that there is peripheral nerve degeneration in Minamata patients
due
to toxic injury from methylmercury.


Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, Vol. 15, No. 4,
pages
302-304, 10 references, 1989
Abstract: A possible case of mercury (7439976) poisoning resulting from
grinding old amalgam fillings was described. A 60 year old female developed
stomatitis, sore throat, an odd taste in her mouth, dizziness, and headache
starting 2 weeks after two teeth previously filled with amalgams were
ground.
The procedure was part of a 2.5 month series of dental treatments to improve
her occlusion. During the treatment 11 more amalgam filled teeth were
ground.
Two months after beginning the treatment the patient experienced sharp pains
in
her thorax, a temperature of 38.9 degrees-C and erythrocyte sedimentation
rates
of 26 to 28 millimeters per hour for 3 weeks. During the last month of
dental
treatment she lost the sense of touch in her left hand fingers, her fingers
became sensitive to cold, and her left hand grip weakened. The sense of
touch
in her left foot became weaker and she developed muscular twitchings of the
upper lip. She had difficulty in remembering things and her general health
deteriorated. One year later a neurological examination revealed peripheral
neuropathy which gradually improved over the next year. Electroneuromyograms
of
the upper and lower limbs and electroencephalograms were normal. Her
cognitive
capabilities were good; however, some impairment in motor performance was
noted. Urine samples obtained at periodic intervals starting 3 months after
dental treatment showed initial mercury concentrations of approximately 20
micrograms per liter (microg/l) gradually decreasing to 1microg/l over the
next
year. The authors conclude that some of the patient's symptoms may have been
due to mercury poisoning resulting from inhaling mercury vapor generated by
grinding the amalgams. A potential risk of mercury vapor exposure exists for
both the patient and dentist when old amalgams are ground extensively.


Source: Acta Neurol. Scand. 51(S59): 7-43; 1975.(304 references)
Abstract: PESTAB. Reports are assembled which attempt to show a relation
between a disease, toxin, or therapeutic agent and the peripheral neuropathy
syndrome. A wide variety of chemical agents disrupt the precarious metabolic
interrelationship of the nerve axon and its Schwann cell coverings to
produce
the polyneuropathy syndrome. Heavy metals are the most common toxic cause of
polyneuropathy. Included among these cases are suicide attempts using
arsenical
rat poisons. Arsenic produces a painful polyneuropathy, mercury an almost
pure
motor one. Therapy in most of the toxic neuropathies centers on removal of
the
patient from chronic exposure to the toxin. Medical therapy may accelerate
elimination of the toxin. The use of chelating drugs has been studied, and
dimercaprol is recommended for mercury and arsenic. Chronic exposure to the
herbicide, 2,4-D, and related compounds can produce polyneuropathy, as can
prolonged exposure to DDT and methyl bromide.


Source: Clinical Occupational Medicine; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, W. B.
Saunders Company, pages 118-134, 11 references, 19861986
Abstract: Occupational diseases of the nervous system are discussed,
including
central nervous system disorders such as toxic encephalopathy (either acute
or
chronic), tumors, and Parkinsonian movement disorders as well as peripheral
nervous system disorders such as toxic polyneuropathy, neuromuscular
junction
blockade and traumatic disorders including interstitial (vascular related to
vibration) and parenchymal (compressive or entrapment mononeuropathy)
disorders. Agents which have been shown to produce brain tumors in
experimental
animals are listed. Occupations in which epidemiologic studies suggest an
excess of brain tumors include aluminum (7429905) workers, chemists, lead
smelter workers, machinists, medical personnel, oil refinery workers,
petrochemical workers, pharmaceutical workers, rubber workers,
veterinarians,
and vinyl-chloride (75014) workers. Substances which cause peripheral
neuropathies fall into the following categories: metals including lead
(7439921), arsenic (7440382), mercury (7439976), and thallium (7440280);
solvents including hexacarbons, trichloroethylene (79016), and
carbon-disulfide
(75150); gases such as methyl-bromide (74839) and carbon-monoxide (630080);
pesticides and herbicides including chlordecone (143500), some
organophosphates, and chlorinated phenol derivatives; and plastics including
acrylamide (79061), dimethylaminopropionitrile (1738256), and styrene
(9003536). A number of such agents can also cause central neuropathies,
including organic solvents, asphyxiant gases, pesticides and heavy metals.







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