Degenerative Limb Disease

Degenerative Limb Disease, otherwise known as DLD, is a condition primarily affecting the old. It is characterized by the decay and eventual death of nerves in the limbs, which can eventually lead to a complete inability to use the affected limb(s).

Transmission & Vectors

Research shows that contraction of the disease is random but relatively rare. They believe that genetics may play a role, but overall, the number one cause is just aging and the gradual decay of nerves over time.

Causes

Plain aging can cause the breakdown of nerves in the limbs, which can lead to DLD.

Symptoms

The nerves in a limb tend to break down and eventually die completely, rendering any affected limbs unusable. The skin on an affected limb will sometimes turn light gray. As the disease progresses, the victim begins to lose all feeling in the affected limb.

Treatment

If detected early on, it is relatively easy to halt the disease with nerve therapy. Drugs exist to halt and restore damaged nerves. If the disease progresses too far, then the only option becomes amputation and replacement with a prosthetic limb.

Prognosis

Most of the time, a simple scan can determine if nerves are decaying and nerve therapy can remedy the situation quickly. However, self-diagnosis typically looks for the following things: lack of feeling or sensation in a limb; repeatedly having a limb fall asleep multiple times in a short period of time; the limb having weakness when walking or exerting yourself; a limb that is unsteady; limb trembling or shaking in short spurts over the span of a few hours.

Prevention

Electric stimulation of the nerves, where small amounts of electricity shock the nerves, can be effective in keeping limbs from becoming affected by DLD. Eating vegetables, particularly carrots, can help slow or prevent DLD.

Type

Physiological

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Uncommon