What is peripheral neuropathy? what causes peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder that occurs when these nerves malfunction because they’re damaged or destroyed. This disrupts the nerves’ normal functioning. They might send signals of pain when there’s nothing causing pain, or they might not send a pain signal even if something is harming you. This can be due to:
- an injury
- systemic illness
- an infection
- an inherited disorder
Nerve pain is usually due to damaged nerves that send false signals that result in chronic pain.
Causes of peripheral neuropathy
Globally, (both type 1 and type 2) is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy.
Over time, the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage the nerves.
This type of nerve damage is known as diabetic polyneuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy can also have a wide range of other causes such as
- physical injury to the nerves
- a viral infection
- a side effect of certain medicines or drinking too much alcohol
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes both cause these peripheral neuropathy
Other causes
Neuropathy might be caused by diseases. Many conditions and events that impact health can cause neuropathy, including:
- Diabetes: This is a leading cause of neuropathy in the United States. Some 60% to 70% of people with diabetes experience neuropathy. Diabetes is the most common cause of small fiber neuropathy, a condition that causes painful burning sensations in the hands and feet.
- Trauma: Injuries from falls, car accidents, fractures or sports activities can result in neuropathy. Compression of the nerves due to repetitive stress or narrowing of the space through which nerves run are other causes.
- Autoimmune disorders and infections: rheumatoid arthritis,
- Other health conditions: Neuropathy can result from kidney disorders, liver disorders, hypothyroidism, tumors.
- Medications and poisons:
- Vascular disorders: Neuropathy can occur when blood flow to the arms and legs is decreased or slowed by inflammation, blood clots, or other blood vessel disorders. Decreased blood flow deprives the nerve cells of oxygen, causing nerve damage or nerve cell death.
- Abnormal vitamin levels and alcoholism: Proper levels of vitamins E, B1, B6, B12, and niacin are important for healthy nerve function. Chronic alcoholism, which typically results in lack adequate nutirents.
Common signs of peripheral neuropathy:
- Tingling (“pins and needles”) or numbness, especially in the hands and feet. Sensations can spread to the arms and legs.
- Sharp, burning, throbbing, stabbing or electric-like pain.
- Changes in sensation. Severe pain, especially at night. Inability to feel pain, pressure, temperature or touch. Extreme sensitivity to touch.
- Falling, loss of coordination.
- Not being able to feel things in your feet and hands – feeling like you’re wearing socks or gloves when you’re not.
- Muscle weakness, difficulty walking or moving your arms or legs.
- Muscle twitching, cramps and/or spasms.
- Inability to move a part of the body (paralysis). Loss of muscle control, loss of muscle tone or dropping things out of your hand.
- Low blood pressure or abnormal heart rate, which causes dizziness when standing up, fainting or lightheadedness.
- Sweating too much or not enough in relation to the temperature or degree or exertion.
- Problems with bladder (urination), digestion (including bloating, nausea/vomiting) and bowels (including diarrhea, constipation).
- Sexual function problems.
- Weight loss (unintentional)
Complications
This can lead to gangrene if untreated, and in severe cases may mean the foot has to be amputated.
Peripheral neuropathy may affect the nerves controlling the automatic functions of the heart and circulation system (cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy).
Neuropathy mostly affects adults and the elder.
you can take some polypeptides to help with the situation
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