Yesterday in Sacramento, Patti and I attended an informative meeting that was hosted by the Neuropathy Action Foundation, (NAF) a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting patients with neuropathies, or diseases of the nerves, of which there are many types, including Guillain- Barre Syndrome (GBS), Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Ployneuropathy (CIDP), Diabetic Neuropathy and others. While GBS affects approximately 1 person in every 100,000, Diabetic Neuropathy affects close to 60% of all Diabetics.
Diagnosis of neuropathies can be difficult and requires a specialist. Symptoms are often mistaken for other disorders and often include pain, numbness, weakness and balance problems. Patients are often told that their symptoms are psychological and begin to feel isolated and depressed.
The NAF actively supports programs that create public and physician awareness of neuropathy, the use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) and other remedies to improve patient care through NAF activities and services. This organization, though it is only 4 years old, has grown significantly and has the ear of legislatures nationally, joining other organizations to educate and empower patients to advocate for them. For more information look at their website, www.neuropathyactionfoundation.com
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