{"id":4677,"date":"2020-02-08T11:43:36","date_gmt":"2020-02-08T11:43:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=4677"},"modified":"2021-08-13T07:21:48","modified_gmt":"2021-08-13T07:21:48","slug":"14-causes-of-peripheral-neuropathy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/14-causes-of-peripheral-neuropathy\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Peripheral Neuropathy refers to a medical condition resulting from the damage to nerves transmitting messages to and from the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. The nerves popularly referred to as peripheral nerves make up a complex network connecting the rest of the body (skin, muscles, internal organs) to the central nervous system. The condition is known to cause numbness, weakness, and pain usually in the feet and hands of the patients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People suffering from peripheral neuropathy have always described the pain as burning, stabbing or sometimes tingling. After peripheral neuropathy has developed, very few types of conditions can be totally cured. However, early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the symptoms of the condition. In some cases where the nerve cell is still alive, the nerve fibers can regenerate slowly. Treating the underlying cause of neuropathy is crucial to preventing future nerve damage. Here are 14 common causes of peripheral neuropathy; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Diabetes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Statistics indicate that nearly 50 percent of diabetes <\/a>patients eventually develop peripheral neuropathy. However, not every patient of diabetes that develops neuropathy suffers pain as a result of the condition. High blood sugar levels damage nerves in the patient\u2019s extremities and also in other parts of the body. As a result, the patient may not sense pain, heat or cold in the feet and hands. This means that you can never feel a deep cut or sore on your feet which is why patients are advised to constantly inspect their feet always. Even worse, a patient can develop foot ulcers without knowing especially if the shoe does not fit properly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The consequences of peripheral neuropathy can be fatal especially when the symptoms are not detected early. For instance, an infection resulting in poor blood circulation poses the risk of the patient developing ulcers which may lead to amputation or even death. Studies have established that individuals with diabetes can reduce their chances of developing neuropathy by keeping their blood sugar levels close to normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. The Side effect of certain medication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Peripheral neuropathy often develops as a side effect of certain medications mostly those used in cancer (chemotherapy) and HIV\/AIDS treatments. For some cancer and HIV\/AIDS patients, the medication <\/a>can result in nerve damage. When the nerves are compromised, the patient loses sensation and movement in some parts of the body especially hands and feet. Although the condition is uncomfortable and even painful in some cases, it is important to note that it is rarely life-threatening. The good news about neuropathy developing as a side effect to certain medications is that it always fades if the drugs are changed or when the treatment is discontinued.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The patient may begin feeling better in a few weeks or months depending on the severity of the condition in the first place. However, in some rare cases, the damage to the nerves may be permanent and irreversible. Anti-alcohol drugs, AnticonvulsantsPhenytoin, Cisplatin, and Vincristine are among the medication that may cause peripheral neuropathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Hereditary Neuropathies <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hereditary neuropathies refer to a group of inherited medical disorders that affect the peripheral nerves<\/a>. As the name suggests, the disorder is genetic and affects They are divided into 4 major categories; hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, hereditary motor neuropathy, hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, and hereditary sensory neuropathy. The symptoms of hereditary neuropathies are different depending on the type of condition. Generally, the sensory symptoms may include numbness, pain in the affected parts- feet and hands and tingling. The motor symptoms include weakness and loss of muscle bulk. The muscle loss is witnessed in the lower leg and muscles of the foot.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other types of inherited neuropathies are known to derail the autonomic nerves leading to impaired sweating, insensitivity to pain, and postural hypotension among others. The two common types of hereditary neuropathies include Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Inflammatory Infection <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inflammatory neuropathies refer to a heterogeneous cluster of autoimmune conditions that target the peripheral nervous system. This condition affects individuals of all ages and is characterized by a burning sensation, tingling and numbness of the affected region-particularly the legs and hands. Some patients reportedly experience muscle weakness which is a common motor symptom<\/a>. This condition is rare but is known to cause permanent disability in the majority of the affected patients.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammatory neuropathies can be classified as either acute or chronic. The acute form of inflammatory neuropathy reaches a nadir in precisely 4 weeks, while chronic inflammatory neuropathy takes nearly 8 weeks. Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) is a common example of acute inflammatory neuropathy. The condition falls under the Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome. Fortunately, researchers have made significant progress in deciphering the pathomechanisms of these disorders hoped to help in the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutic strategies going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Autoimmune diseases <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body\u2019s defense mistakenly attacks healthy cells. The body\u2019s immune system<\/a> is tasked to guard the body against pathogens like harmful bacteria and viruses. The system uses antibodies to fight the foreign invasion and keep the body healthy. In a normal scenario, the antibodies can differentiate between harmful foreign cells and the body\u2019s healthy cells. However, in the case of an autoimmune disease, the immune system cannot tell the difference and ends up attacking healthy cells.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some autoimmune diseases only affect one organ. In type 1 diabetes, for instance, the disease damages the pancreases while in other cases like the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the condition affects the whole body. In the event that an autoimmune disease affects the nerves, a patient may suffer from neuropathy. Guillain-Barre syndrome, for example, is an autoimmune condition that happens rapidly and affects the autonomic nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Kidney disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chronic kidney <\/a>failure also referred to as renal failure or uremia occurs when both kidneys fail to function optimally. The major roles of the kidneys are to promote a healthy fluid balance and purify the blood. When these crucial organs fail, fluids and wastes accumulate in the body leading to several complications including uremic neuropathy- a type of peripheral neuropathy that has been reported to affect 20-50% of patients with kidney disease.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The imbalance of salts and other harmful chemicals in the body that should have been filtered in the kidney increases the chances of damaging the peripheral nerve, leading to uremic neuropathy. Patients of uremic neuropathy generally experience gradual numbness, muscle weakness, and insensitivity to touch among other signs of peripheral neuropathy. The best way to deal with uremic neuropathy is to treat the underlying disease-diabetes. Patients are advised to adhere to a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and try as much as possible to keep their blood sugar level close to normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Exposure to Toxic chemicals <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exposure to toxic chemicals and heavy metals is known to cause several complications to the human body. In many cases, some chemicals <\/a>can lead to permanent organ damage, weakening of the immune system, contracting conditions such as allergies or asthma, or worse, reproductive complications and birth defects. Some people even develop cancer over long term exposure to hazardous chemicals.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies have revealed that toxic or poisonous chemicals can paralyze the peripheral nervous system causing neuropathy. Exposure can happen through drug or chemical abuse or exposure to dangerous industrial chemicals at the workplace. Common chemicals that are known to cause neuropathy include mercury, lead, thallium, and arsenic. It has also been established that certain herbal medicines like the Chinese herbal medicines have mercury and arsenic in them that can potentially cause peripheral neuropathy. Acrylamide, ethanol, ethylene glycol, hexacarbonyl, dioxides, and saxitoxins among others can also cause neuropathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Chronic alcoholism<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Too much alcohol can cause severe damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, putting people with heavy drinking habits at risk of developing alcoholic neuropathy. This condition is commonly characterized by pain and tingling of the limbs. The number of patients <\/a>with alcoholic neuropathy is still unclear although experts in the field speculate that nearly 66|% of people with chronic alcoholism may have this form of neuropathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chronic alcoholism is often associated with both nutritional and vitamin deficiencies. Thiamine, Vitamins B6, B12, and E, folate, and niacin are essential in the proper functioning of the nervous system. Too much alcohol messes with the balance of these essentials causing damage to the nerves, hence alcoholic neuropathy. Fortunately, this condition can be corrected by abstaining from booze and sticking to a healthy diet. Ditching alcohol will help reduce the symptoms of the condition and help stop further nerve damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Tumors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any condition affecting the normal functioning of the nerves is likely to cause some kind of neuropathy. A tumor <\/a>can be clinically described as a cancerous or non-cancerous rapid growth of abnormal cells on healthy tissue or organ. When tumors develop on the nerves or squeeze the nerves affecting the transmission of signals to and from the brain, it can cause peripheral neuropathy. Cancer patients are most likely to develop neuropathy as a result of drugs used during chemotherapy such as vinca alkaloids, taxanes, platinum compounds, and thalidomide among others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non-cancerous tumors are not entirely safe either since they can grow too close to the nerve or on it thus pressing it causing stabbing pain and numbness on the limbs. Reportedly, patients with cancers of the nervous system, for instance, brain tumors, skull base tumors, and spine tumors are more likely to develop peripheral neuropathy caused by a damage on the nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Idiopathic Neuropathy <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A patient <\/a>is said to suffer from neuropathy when damage to the nerve interferes with the normal functioning of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Researchers have thus far established several causes of this condition but unfortunately not all. When the cause of peripheral neuropathy is undetermined, experts refer to this rare case as idiopathic neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy can only be cured by treating the underlying condition.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, in the case where alcoholism causes alcoholic neuropathy, or when cancer treatment leads to the development of peripheral neuropathy, ditching alcohol and discontinuing chemotherapy or rather stopping usage of certain drugs during chemo helps reduce the symptoms of neuropathy developed as a result of the aforementioned activities. When doctors cannot establish the underlying cause of the condition and are left with fewer treatment options, this form of neuropathy is referred to as idiopathic neuropathy. Idiopathic neuropathy is common among individuals of 60 years and above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Peripheral neuropathy commonly affects the patient\u2019s feet and hands. However, in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, the symptoms show in the hands only. In the carpal tunnel- a location at the base of the hand, a constricted place between the bones <\/a>and ligaments, runs the median nerve. This essential nerve is responsible for supplying muscles of the forearm and those of the thenar eminence thus controlling the hand\u2019s movement.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this crucial nerve is squeezed, pressed, or inflamed at the wrist, an individual experiences a stabbing pain, numbness, and muscle weakness that spreads along the arm. The symptoms become prominent on the fingers, particularly the index, thumb, and middle finger. Depending on the gravity of the pressure, the symptoms may intensify that it becomes difficult for the patient to hold an object or make a firm fist. The pressure to the median nerve and tendons may result from other conditions like arthritis, trauma, thyroid disease, or a physical injury to the wrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Physical injury<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Physical trauma <\/a>is reportedly the most common cause of injury to the nerves. Injury may occur as a result of car accidents, fractures, or falls.\u00a0 Interestingly, inactivity- for instance, holding still in one position for too long is likely to cause neuropathy. When the median nerve running through the wrist is damaged through physical injury, a person may experience carpal tunnel syndrome. The same case applies to injuries on other nerves receiving and transmitting information to and from the peripheral nervous system.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repeating a single activity such as typing or sitting in one position for way too long comes with the risk of neuropathy. When a nerve is damaged through physical injury, the patient will gradually experience numbness in the feet or hands. Sharp or rather throbbing pain will be felt in the limbs, and sometimes, the victim experiences sensitivity to touch. Upon ordering a nerve conduction velocity test (NCV), a doctor can determine if you have damaged a nerve through an injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Generalized diseases<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some diseases like diabetes <\/a>have been directly linked to peripheral neuropathy since it causes serious nerve damage resulting in pain, numbness, and loss of sensation in the patient\u2019s hands and legs. There are also other conditions that increase a person\u2019s risk to developing neuropathy like obesity, age, and high blood pressure among others. Obesity is often associated with musculoskeletal system disorders like acute back pains and osteoarthritis. Researchers have found that being overweight can impair neuropathic pain intensity and increases the risk of nerve damage.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients with high blood pressure are at the risk of having their blood vessels rapture. This can also compromise the nerves traversing the area, and in effect result in peripheral neuropathy. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy happen to be similar depending on the type of nerve damaged during the injury. This is regardless of the cause of the damage, whether it is diabetes, physical trauma, or undetermined causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Vitamin Deficiency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Several studies have linked Vitamin B12<\/a> deficiency to a form of peripheral neuropathy dubbed vitamin B12 deficiency neuropathy. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient whose deficiency is known to attract a series of detrimental conditions among them neurological disorders. Statistics indicate that the U.S. leads with the number of patients with vitamin B12 deficiency. The deficiency is common especially among the elderly- people over the age of 80. There are several established causes of vitamin B12 deficiency, with a strict vegetarian diet leading to the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only established sources of Vitamin B12 are animal-based diets that include red meat, poultry products, fish, and dairy products. Sometimes a patient can have a normal intake of vitamin B12 from the aforementioned sources but still suffer from the deficiency due to the inability of stomach acids to facilitate the absorption of the vitamin into the body. Note that even a mild B12 deficiency can cause significant nerve damage leading to neuropathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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