Your appetite will also be affected in varying ways. Some people eat more, some less. Many times first symptom is either weight gain or weight loss.

Irritability and edginess. Even though you, yourself, may not be able to answer why. All you know, and all others know, is you are most definitely out of sorts and no one wants to cross your path! It takes a rare individual to look below surface and feel for person rather than to simply react and respond in like manner. Unfortunately, most just snap back, causing disagreements, hurt feelings and worsening things more than ever.

Many times digestive problems result. You'll find yourself with frequent stomach complaints.

Your stomach will not be only source of discomfort. Your head will ache frequently, and you may experience various aches and pains.

Loss of energy or interest. Things you once enjoyed, such as walking, television, socializing and even sex, will become little more than a bother to you.

Thoughts of suicide. (Even if you don't feel you have any of other symptoms on this page, if you have ever thought of ending your life, PLEASE call doctor's office right now. That's what they're there for and would recognize how brave you are for coming in. They'll make you better).

A feeling of worthlessness and hopelessness.

If you have experienced 3 or more of above symptoms for two or more weeks, call a professional right away. The professional could be a mental health specialist or your family doctor. Remember, they went into their profession to help people, just like you. They know darkness you're living in and can help you find light again. Please don't waste another day. Life's too beautiful and too full of promise.

If you feel like you really don't exhibit described symptoms, give yourself a few days. Talk to a few people you trust, find a good book (Agatha Christie and Dean Koontz are great distractions!), watch a comedy, spend time with your pet, go to zoo....live!

By rearranging locations of stimulating and recording electrodes, physician can separately measure conduction in motor and sensory fibers even when they are intermixed in same nerve-bundle.

Nerve conduction studies can help diagnose pinched, damaged or under-functioning nerves. One pattern of nerve impairment is called "mononeuropathy," a term meaning "one sick nerve." It involves dysfunction that is restricted to just a single location in a single nerve-bundle.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, in which median nerve is pinched within wrist, is most common mononeuropathy in arm, and can produce numbness, weakness or pain in hand. Nerve conduction studies are exquisitely sensitive in detecting this condition. Another mononeuropathy in arm involves ulnar nerve at portion of elbow often called "crazy bone."

Nerve conduction studies can also help diagnose mononeuropathies in legs. One such condition, in which peroneal nerve is impaired near knee, can cause a foot-drop. Another condition, involving tibial nerve at ankle, is called a tarsal tunnel syndrome, and is analogous to carpal tunnel syndrome of arm.

The other main pattern of nerve impairment is called "polyneuropathy," a term meaning "many sick nerves." In polyneuropathy there is a more widespread pattern of dysfunction instead of just at single locations. This can be seen in people with diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption and a number of other medical conditions. Nerve conduction studies are adept at identifying this category of nerve impairment as well.

As is case with every other medical test, nerve conduction studies are not perfect. The diagnosing physician considers strengths and weaknesses of this form of testing along with other clinical information in order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

(C) 2005 by Gary Cordingley