In this clearly explained article, he lists the most common causes of neuropathy (there are more than a hundred in total). It's important to realise that although you may be HIV positive, your neuropathy may come from another source. Doctors often find it very difficult to establish the true cause, although problems like diabetes, or post-chemotherapy side-effects can be strong indicators.
Peripheral neuropathy is due to damage to the nerve cells and nerve fibers. Nerve can be damaged in two ways: The cover of the nerve, the myelin sheath, can be stripped away or the “tail” of the nerve, the axon, can be destroyed. Peripheral neuropathy is usually an acquired condition but in some cases it may be inherited.
Diabetic Neuropathies
Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy. It is estimated that approximately 70 percent of all persons with diabetes develop some form of peripheral neuropathy.
Neuropathies Caused by Chemotherapy
The development of peripheral neuropathy following chemotherapy treatment is a fairly common occurrence. Chemotherapy agents that aggressively “attack” cancer cells often have a neurotoxic effect, damaging the nerve cells as well. The extent of nerve damage depends on the cumulative dose and the type of drugs used.
Neuropathy Caused by Spinal Problems
The nerves of the lower spinal column innervate the feet. Damage of the spinal column, causing spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine) or protruding vertebral discs can “pinch” the nerves of the spinal cord causing pain, burning, numbness and tingling sensations in the feet
Neuropathy Caused by Excessive Alcohol Intake
Prolonged and excessive use of alcohol will invariably have a toxic effect on the nerve tissue. Studies have shown that the incidence of alcoholics who develop peripheral neuropathy ranges from 25 to 50 percent. Nutritional deficiencies often associated with alcohol abuse can exacerbate neuropathy symptoms.
Neuropathies Caused by Toxins and Drugs
As noted previously, exposure to certain toxins such as arsenic, lead, mercury, thallium, chemical solvents and nitrous oxide, can cause nerve damage. Some insecticides may also cause peripheral neuropathies symptoms. Certain anticonvulsant, antiviral and antibiotic drugs man result in pain, burning, tingling and numbness.
Neuropathies Caused by Nutritional Imbalance
Deficiencies of vitamins B12 (cobalamin), B1(thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine) or vitamin E can cause peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Vitamin B12 plays an important role in neurologic function. It should also be noted that overuse of some vitamins may actually cause peripheral. This includes taking mega-doses of B6 and B12. Caution should also be used when taking higher doses of vitamin E as well, since this is a fat-soluble vitamin and can accumulate in the body’s tissue.
Neuropathies Caused by Infection
It is estimated that nearly one-third of people with HIV/AIDS experience peripheral neuropathy. Nerve damage can be caused by the medication, the actual virus or a combination of both.
Neuropathies Caused by Autoimmune Diseases
An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system destroys or attacks its own bodily tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic lupus erthematosus and Guillian-Barre syndrome are autoimmune disease that is linked to peripheral neuropathy. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy(CIDP) is thought to be another form of this syndrome.
Neuropathies Caused by Cancer
Different types of cancers can have varying effects on nerves. Multiple myeolma is type of cancer that affects the plasma cells in the bone marrow. It can cause destruction to the axon part of the nerve cell. Certain blood cancers—chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma—can also cause peripheral nerve damage.
Neuropathy Caused by Hereditary Conditions:
Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited neurological disorder. Damage to the nerves is caused by gene mutation.
Neuropathy Caused by Injury
Injury or excessive pressure on a particular nerve can result in nerve damage causing peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Carpal Tunnel and tarsal tunnel are common neuropathies as a result of injury or repetitive motion.
Idiopathic Neuropathies
Neuropathies in which no specific cause can be identified are called idiopathic neuropathies.
Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy. It is estimated that approximately 70 percent of all persons with diabetes develop some form of peripheral neuropathy.
Neuropathies Caused by Chemotherapy
The development of peripheral neuropathy following chemotherapy treatment is a fairly common occurrence. Chemotherapy agents that aggressively “attack” cancer cells often have a neurotoxic effect, damaging the nerve cells as well. The extent of nerve damage depends on the cumulative dose and the type of drugs used.
Neuropathy Caused by Spinal Problems
The nerves of the lower spinal column innervate the feet. Damage of the spinal column, causing spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine) or protruding vertebral discs can “pinch” the nerves of the spinal cord causing pain, burning, numbness and tingling sensations in the feet
Neuropathy Caused by Excessive Alcohol Intake
Prolonged and excessive use of alcohol will invariably have a toxic effect on the nerve tissue. Studies have shown that the incidence of alcoholics who develop peripheral neuropathy ranges from 25 to 50 percent. Nutritional deficiencies often associated with alcohol abuse can exacerbate neuropathy symptoms.
Neuropathies Caused by Toxins and Drugs
As noted previously, exposure to certain toxins such as arsenic, lead, mercury, thallium, chemical solvents and nitrous oxide, can cause nerve damage. Some insecticides may also cause peripheral neuropathies symptoms. Certain anticonvulsant, antiviral and antibiotic drugs man result in pain, burning, tingling and numbness.
Neuropathies Caused by Nutritional Imbalance
Deficiencies of vitamins B12 (cobalamin), B1(thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine) or vitamin E can cause peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Vitamin B12 plays an important role in neurologic function. It should also be noted that overuse of some vitamins may actually cause peripheral. This includes taking mega-doses of B6 and B12. Caution should also be used when taking higher doses of vitamin E as well, since this is a fat-soluble vitamin and can accumulate in the body’s tissue.
Neuropathies Caused by Infection
It is estimated that nearly one-third of people with HIV/AIDS experience peripheral neuropathy. Nerve damage can be caused by the medication, the actual virus or a combination of both.
Neuropathies Caused by Autoimmune Diseases
An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system destroys or attacks its own bodily tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic lupus erthematosus and Guillian-Barre syndrome are autoimmune disease that is linked to peripheral neuropathy. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy(CIDP) is thought to be another form of this syndrome.
Neuropathies Caused by Cancer
Different types of cancers can have varying effects on nerves. Multiple myeolma is type of cancer that affects the plasma cells in the bone marrow. It can cause destruction to the axon part of the nerve cell. Certain blood cancers—chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma—can also cause peripheral nerve damage.
Neuropathy Caused by Hereditary Conditions:
Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited neurological disorder. Damage to the nerves is caused by gene mutation.
Neuropathy Caused by Injury
Injury or excessive pressure on a particular nerve can result in nerve damage causing peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Carpal Tunnel and tarsal tunnel are common neuropathies as a result of injury or repetitive motion.
Idiopathic Neuropathies
Neuropathies in which no specific cause can be identified are called idiopathic neuropathies.
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