Neuropathy is a term used to describe a wide range of conditions that affect the nerves, causing symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. While the term “neuropathy” is often used broadly, it’s important to understand the various types of neuropathy and how they affect the nervous system. One of the most common forms of neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy, which we’re going to explain in more detail below.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction in the peripheral nervous system, which includes all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system connects the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body, including the limbs, organs, and skin. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common form of neuropathy and can result from various causes, such as diabetes, infections, and injuries.
The Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can vary depending on which nerves are affected. However, there are common symptoms that people tend to experience:
- Numbness or tingling, often starting in the hands or feet and gradually spreading upward.
- Sharp, throbbing, or burning pain, especially in the affected limbs.
- Muscle weakness, leading to difficulty walking or performing daily tasks.
- Sensitivity to touch, with even light touches causing discomfort.
- Loss of coordination, making it difficult to maintain balance.
The Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy
In some cases, you can prevent peripheral neuropathy from occurring, such as by avoiding alcohol, correcting vitamin deficiencies, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and reducing your exposure to toxins. Managing conditions that put you at risk for peripheral neuropathy, such as diabetes, is also crucial. Unfortunately, peripheral neuropathy can’t always be avoided, even with proper care. The good news is that you can prevent it from getting worse if you do develop it.
The main causes of peripheral neuropathy include:
- Diabetes, a leading cause of peripheral neuropathy.
- Infections such as Lyme disease, shingles, and HIV, which can damage the nerves.
- Physical damage to the nerves, such as trauma, injuries, or surgical procedures.
- Exposure to toxins like alcohol, chemotherapy drugs, or heavy metals.
- Lack of essential vitamins, particularly B vitamins that protect nerve health.
Other Types of Neuropathy
While peripheral neuropathy is the most well-known, there are other types that affect people. Autonomic neuropathy occurs in the nerves that control involuntary bodily functions like blood pressure, digestion, and heart rate. Diabetes, autoimmune conditions, infections, and toxins are leading causes of autonomic neuropathy. The main symptoms include heart rate and blood pressure issues, digestive problems, bladder dysfunction, and sweating abnormalities.
Cranial neuropathy involves damage to the cranial nerves, which are nerves that originate in the brain and control functions related to the senses and muscles of the head and neck. Common symptoms include facial pain or numbness, vision problems, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and trouble speaking or swallowing. The causes of cranial neuropathy are infections, tumors, autoimmune conditions, and trauma.
Two other types of neuropathy to be aware of are focal neuropathy and proximal neuropathy. Focal neuropathy occurs when a single nerve or nerve group is damaged, often from compression, injury, or trauma. Localized pain, numbness, twitching, and muscle weakness are common. Proximal neuropathy affects the nerves in the thighs, hips, buttocks, and legs. It’s most commonly associated with type 2 diabetes, with symptoms like muscle weakness, severe pain, and weight loss.
Key Differences Between Peripheral Neuropathy and Other Neuropathies
So how can you tell which type of neuropathy you’re experiencing? Only a doctor can give you a diagnosis, but there are certain signs and symptoms that will provide you with insight.
Location of the Affected Nerves
First and foremost is the location of the affected nerves. Peripheral neuropathy typically starts in the hands and feet, potentially spreading to the rest of the body. This is the case because this type of neuropathy affects shorter nerves first. Other types of neuropathy start in other areas or affect nerves that control involuntary bodily functions.
Symptoms
Peripheral neuropathy often produces pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness that typically start in the extremities. Autonomic neuropathy, on the other hand, is related to dysfunction of involuntary functions like bladder control and heart rate. Other types of neuropathy affect specific areas of the body, such as the head and neck, causing facial pain, vision problems, and hearing loss.
Causes
Neuropathy has different causes, though they can overlap. Peripheral neuropathy is mainly caused by diabetes, though it can also be caused by infections, injuries, toxins, and nutritional deficiencies. Consuming excessive alcohol, for example, not only exposes you to toxins but also depletes B vitamins, putting the body at risk for neuropathy. Other types of neuropathy are more linked to autoimmune conditions, trauma, infections, or compression.
While peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of neuropathy, it’s important to recognize that other forms of neuropathy exist. Each one has its own unique characteristics and symptoms, which can help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis. There are a number of treatments for peripheral neuropathy, such as medications, antidepressants, physical therapy, occupational therapy, lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise, rest), complementary therapies, and topical treatments. Managing underlying conditions is also crucial, as this can slow nerve damage and alleviate symptoms.
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