Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

[Guest guest]

I think there is some misunderstanding about our nervous systems, and not

just by physicians. People think of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) as

only being in the hands/arms and feet/legs. NOT true.

We have the Central Nervous System (CNS) and we have the Peripheral Nervous

System (PNS). That's it!

The CNS is the brain and the spinal cord.

The PNS is everything else!!!!!

From the World Book Encyclopedia: " The PNS carries all the message sent

between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. The PNS consists

of 12 pairs of nerves that originate in the brain, plus 31 pairs of nerves of

the spinal cord. These cranial and spinal nerves serve as 'telephone wires'

that carry messages to and from every receptive and effector in the body. "

" The autonomic nervous system is a special part of the PNS! The autonomic

nervous system regulates such automatic bodily processes as breathing and

digestion without conscious control by the brain. This constant regulation

enables the body to maintain a stable internal environment. "

It's hard for me to believe, but too many doctors do not understand how

extensive the PNS is. It's everything outside of the brain and spinal cord.

This includes lungs, heart, kidney, spleen, intestines, colon, etc., in

addition to arms and legs.

Most CMTers only have hands/arms and feet/legs affected, but CMT MAY affect

other parts of the PNS, as some of you have said. Not all of our physical

problems are caused by CMT by any means, but many physical problems CAN be.

The connection just may not be a common one. I don't know how they can be

distinguished, but dismissing any problem beyond the legs or arms as not CMT

related is not intelligent thinking, IMO.

In addition, CMT does affect the CNS of some CMTers.

I hope this is not confusing.

Kat