Symptoms And Causes Of Neuropathy

Today's post from mayoclinic.org (see link below) is a no frills, simple neuropathy 123 description of the disease, its symptoms and its causes. You can use it to educate yourself, or friends, family and co-workers and to build up enough basic knowledge to at least have a sensible discussion with your doctor or neurologist. It's amazing how much more respect you get from doctors if you've done a little homework and it enables them to get down to the nitty gritty of treatment without spending too much time on explanation.

Peripheral neuropathy Symptoms and causes
By Mayo Clinic Staff 2016

Symptoms

Every nerve in your peripheral system has a specific function, so symptoms depend on the type of nerves affected. Nerves are classified into:
 
Sensory nerves that receive sensation, such as temperature, pain, vibration or touch, from the skin
Motor nerves that control muscle movement
Autonomic nerves that control functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, digestion and bladder

Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy might include:
 
Gradual onset of numbness, prickling or tingling in your feet or hands, which can spread upward into your legs and arms
Sharp, jabbing, throbbing, freezing or burning pain
Extreme sensitivity to touch
Lack of coordination and falling
Muscle weakness or paralysis if motor nerves are affected

If autonomic nerves are affected, signs and symptoms might include: 
 
Heat intolerance and altered sweating
Bowel, bladder or digestive problems
Changes in blood pressure, causing dizziness or lightheadedness

Peripheral neuropathy can affect one nerve (mononeuropathy), two or more nerves in different areas (multiple mononeuropathy) or many nerves (polyneuropathy). Carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of mononeuropathy. Most people with peripheral neuropathy have polyneuropathy.
When to see a doctor

Seek medical care right away if you notice unusual tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet. Early diagnosis and treatment offer the best chance for controlling your symptoms and preventing further damage to your peripheral nerves.

Causes

Not a single disease, peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage caused by a number of conditions. Causes of neuropathies include: 

Alcoholism. Poor dietary choices made by people with alcoholism can lead to vitamin deficiencies. 

Autoimmune diseases. These include Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and necrotizing vasculitis. 

Diabetes. More than half the people with diabetes develop some type of neuropathy.

Exposure to poisons. Toxic substances include heavy metals or chemicals.
Medications. Certain medications, especially those used to treat cancer (chemotherapy), can cause peripheral neuropathy.

Infections. These include certain viral or bacterial infections, including Lyme disease, shingles, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C, leprosy, diphtheria and HIV.
Inherited disorders. Disorders such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease are hereditary types of neuropathy.

Trauma or pressure on the nerve. Traumas, such as from motor vehicle accidents, falls or sports injuries, can sever or damage peripheral nerves. Nerve pressure can result from having a cast or using crutches or repeating a motion such as typing many times.

Tumors. Growths, cancerous (malignant) and noncancerous (benign), can develop on the nerves or press nerves. Also, polyneuropathy can arise as a result of some cancers related to the body's immune response. These are a form of paraneoplastic syndrome.

Vitamin deficiencies. B vitamins — including B-1, B-6 and B-12 — vitamin E and niacin are crucial to nerve health.

Bone marrow disorders. These include abnormal protein in the blood (monoclonal gammopathies), a form of bone cancer (osteosclerotic myeloma), lymphoma and amyloidosis.

Other diseases. These include kidney disease, liver disease, connective tissue disorders and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

In a number of cases, no cause can be identified (idiopathic).

Risk factors
Peripheral neuropathy risk factors include:
Diabetes mellitus, especially if your sugar levels are poorly controlled
Alcohol abuse
Vitamin deficiencies, particularly B vitamins
Infections, such as Lyme disease, shingles, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C and HIV
Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, in which your immune system attacks your own tissues
Kidney, liver or thyroid disorders
Exposure to toxins
Repetitive motion, such as those performed for certain jobs
Family history of neuropathy
Complications

Complications of peripheral neuropathy can include: 
 
Burns and skin trauma. You might not feel temperature changes or pain on parts of your body that are numb.
Infection. Your feet and other areas lacking sensation can become injured without your knowing. Check these areas regularly and treat minor injuries before they become infected, especially if you have diabetes mellitus.
Falls. Weakness and loss of sensation may be associated with lack of balance and falling.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/dxc-20204947