People who fly during the month of May will have the chance to listen to a University of Florida neurologist on Sky Radio. Alan Berger, M.D., chair of the Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, will be talking about peripheral neuropathy. It’s a little known disease that affects hundreds of thousands of Floridians and over 20 million Americans. Sadly, unless it’s diagnosed early, this progressive nerve disease can become severely debilitating. A good number of physicians, and most of the population, are relatively unaware of this common, and often crippling condition.

Peripheral Neuropathy results from injury to the peripheral nerves, disrupting the body’s ability to communicate with its muscles, organs and tissues. It primarily affects the hands and the feet, causing tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain. The simplest tasks can become difficult, and the disease is potentially crippling if the nerve damage progresses. If ignored, the symptoms can range from loss of sensation, to gait imbalance or to unremitting chronic pain.

"Neuropathy can be brought on by many things but diabetics are especially at risk," says Berger. There is a laundry list of other causes including genetic, toxic, and immune system dysfunction, but many neuropathies have no known cause.

In 2005, The Neuropathy Association, a national patient-based non-profit organization, designated and funded the creation of a local neuropathy center at Shands Jacksonville. It’s one of only eight centers in the country, offering comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, support and education. Dr. Berger directs this center and leads a monthly support group for patients battling various forms of peripheral neuropathy.

National Neuropathy Awareness Week is May 12-16, 2008. The¬ University of Florida, Shands Jacksonville Neuropathy Center and The Neuropathy Association are spreading the word about neuropathy, its symptoms and various diagnosis and treatment options.

Media interested in interviewing Dr. Berger and one of his patients should contact Chris Turner, media relations coordinator, Shands Jacksonville at 244-3267 or by email at chris.turner@jax.ufl.edu. For more information about The Neuropathy Association, please visit www.neuropathy.org.