Q: I have painful legs and feet. It started with a dull ache that came and went, but now the pain is there all the time. I thought it might be my circulation, but my doctor said I had good circulation. He's not sure what I have. He has me on Tylenol. I am 77. Will you contribute your ideas to this?

A: I am guessing it's peripheral neuropathy, a disorder that afflicts millions and often comes on at older ages.

Peripheral nerves are nerves that transmit messages to muscles and organs from the brain and take back to the brain information in the form of sensations such as pain. The peripheral nerves are like the wiring system of the house. Without them, nothing works. When they go bad, everything acts up.

Sensory nerves are nerves involved in supplying the brain with sensations. Disruption of those nerves causes pain. Motor nerves are nerves involved with messages from the brain to muscles, instructing them to move. Disruption of those nerves leads to loss of muscle strength and muscle wasting. Foot drop is a consequence of motor-nerve neuropathy. The nerves to the muscles that control raising the foot have gone bad, and a person cannot lift the foot off the ground. A third kind of nerve, autonomic nerves, controls functions about which we give no thought. They, too, can be affected.

Causes of neuropathy are many. Diabetes is one of the major causes. Genetic illnesses bring on some neuropathies. Aging

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is another big cause. For a large number, a definite cause isn't found.

Medicines can often lessen the pain of sensory peripheral neuropathy. They include amitriptyline, Cymbalta, Neurontin and Lyrica. Braces and a number of other devices come to the aid of those with motor peripheral neuropathy.

Ask your doctor if he thinks you might have neuropathy, and if you might benefit from a neurologist's examination.

This week has been proclaimed National Neuropathy Week. You can contact the Neuropathy Association at 800-247-6968 or at www.neuropathy.org.

Q: I love tonic water. I drink about two bottles of it every day.

Someone told me it's not good for you because it contains a malaria medicine. I don't want to be taking any medicine if I don't need to. Should I stop the tonic water?

A: Tonic water has quinine in it. Quinine was a standard malaria treatment.

The amount of quinine in an 8-ounce glass of tonic water is only 40 mg. That's nowhere near the dose of quinine used for malaria. You can continue drinking tonic water without any fear of hurting your body.

Dr. Paul Donohue appears Mondays. Write to him at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.