How To Diagnose And Treat Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a disorder of autoimmunity where an individual's immune system inappropriately attacks the healthy tissues that protect the nerve cells. The myelin sheath is a type of protective fatty insulation that helps shield nerves from damage and allows for the smooth and uninterrupted transmission of impulses from one nerve to the next. The trigger of CIDP in some individuals is not currently known and has no infectious or genetic association. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is more common in older adults than it is in any other age group, and it is more prevalent in men than it is in women. Individuals with CIDP experience symptoms including gradual limb weakening, reflex loss, balance loss, numbness, tingling, and difficulty walking. CIDP can be diagnosed using a physical exam, blood tests, urine tests, nerve conduction study, and a lumbar puncture.