82R22452 MMS-D

By: Howard of Travis H.R. No. 1600

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Neuropathy is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States today, affecting approximately 20 million Americans, or one out of every 15 people, and an estimated 1.7 million Texans; and

WHEREAS, A disorder of the motor, sensory, and autonomic nerves that connect the spinal cord to muscles, skin, and internal organs, the condition disrupts the ability of these nerves to communicate effectively, causing numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, and loss of coordination; and

WHEREAS, There are over 100 known causes of neuropathy, including diabetes, autoimmune disease, heredity, nutritional imbalance, infections, and exposure to toxins; each cause is associated with a particular set of symptoms, pattern of development, prognosis, and treatment; and

WHEREAS, Diabetic neuropathy accounts for one-third of all neuropathy cases and leads to more diabetes-related hospitalizations than any other complication; some 64 percent of diabetic neuropathy pain sufferers report that pain interferes with their daily activities, and 80 percent of them report mobility problems that make it difficult to exercise, a critical component of diabetes management; and

WHEREAS, Persons suffering from neuropathy often feel alone and isolated due to a lack of public understanding of their illness; in addition to helping to relieve that burden, an increase in community awareness of the nature of neuropathy can improve the likelihood that those afflicted with the condition will get appropriate treatment, including options to deal with the pain associated with neuropathy, before suffering devastating complications; public awareness efforts are necessary to inform people of the steps to take to potentially delay the onset or slow the progression of neuropathy; and

WHEREAS, The Neuropathy Association, the leading national nonprofit organization serving the neuropathy community, provides support and education, advocates for patient interests, and promotes research into the causes of, and cures for, this debilitating disease; the Texas chapter of the association, Hands Feet & Heart, is also striving to further the organization's vital work within the Lone Star State; and

WHEREAS, Information is crucial to meeting the challenge of neuropathy, and all Texans are encouraged to learn more about the disorder's causes, symptoms, and management; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby recognize the third full week of May 2011 as Neuropathy Awareness Week and call on public officials and private citizens to observe this week with appropriate activities and programs.