Can diabetes medicines help prevent HIV-related nerve damage?
People with HIV infection can develop damaged nerves in the
hands, feet and legs. People with HIV infection can develop
damaged nerves in the hands, feet and legs. This condition is
called peripheral neuropathy (PN). As a result of PN, people can
develop very painful sensations in their limbs, such as burning
or stabbing pains. They can also lose their ability to feel hot
or cold in the affected limb. Sometimes, depending on the
severity of nerve damage, they may even feel numbness.
Neurologic testing can reveal reflexes that have degraded.
Having symptoms of PN can impair quality of life. PN can occur
in people with HIV infection because the mitochondria (energy-
producing parts) of cells become damaged. When mitochondria do
not produce enough energy, nerve cells can malfunction or even
die. Some studies have found factors that may increase the risk
for developing peripheral neuropathy, such as the following: A
research team in the U.S. recently re