Peripheral Neuropathy

Know Everything From Causes, Symptoms, To Treatment

Jump to

Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Our Providers

Peripheral neuropathy is a highly prevalent condition, affecting 2% to 7% of the population^[1]. It can drastically diminish the quality of life, often causing chronic pain, numbness, or tingling that interferes with daily activities. Patients are also at increased risk for serious complications such as falls, ulcerations, and even amputations, particularly when left untreated.

Fortunately, in most cases, a physician can manage diagnosis and treatment without complex testing or specialist referrals. By addressing the condition proactively, patients can often reduce symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

The peripheral nervous system links the brain and spinal cord to muscles, organs, and skin, enabling sensation, movement, and essential autonomic functions. This intricate system operates through three types of nerves:

Sensory: Relays sensations like touch, temperature, and pain to the brain.

Motor: Controls voluntary muscle movements, such as walking, lifting, and writing.

Autonomic: Regulates involuntary functions like heartbeat, digestion, and blood pressure.

When this system is compromised, the effects are far-reaching, influencing a person’s ability to feel, move, or regulate bodily functions. This underscores the importance of protecting and addressing nerve health to maintain overall well-being.

How Nerve Damage Affects The Brain’s Control Over The Body

Peripheral nerve damage disrupts the communication pathways between the brain and body. It is similar to an electrical circuit—damaged wiring causes erratic signals or total disconnection.

Sensory nerve damage: Causes the brain to misinterpret signals, leading to tingling, burning pain, or numbness. This can mask injuries or increase the risk of harm.

Motor nerve damage: Impairs the brain’s ability to control muscles, causing weakness, unsteadiness, or paralysis. This affects mobility and increases fall risks.

Autonomic nerve damage: Disrupts involuntary functions like blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion. Patients may experience dizziness, digestive issues, or heat intolerance.

The breakdown in these pathways creates both physical and emotional challenges. Early intervention is essential to reduce complications and improve overall quality of life.

Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy vary depending on which type of nerves—sensory, motor, or autonomic—are affected. Each type of nerve damage presents unique challenges, influencing how the condition impacts daily life.

Joint Discomfort

Joint discomfort may stem from inflammation, wear, or injury, causing stiffness and limited mobility.

Radiating Nerve Pain

Radiating nerve pain from compression or damage may cause tingling, weakness, or numbness in the limbs.

Pain With Movement

Pain with movement may stem from joint, nerve, or muscle issues, making activity more difficult.

Localized Pain

Localized pain in one area may result from injury, inflammation, or nerve issues, impacting movement.

Chronic Leg Pain

Chronic leg pain may result from nerve, circulation, or joint issues, often affecting comfort and mobility.

Swelling

Swelling may result from inflammation or joint issues, often leading to stiffness and limited movement.

Tingling And Numbness

Restricted range of motion may result from stiffness, inflammation, or damage, making movement difficult.

Muscle Weakness

Muscle weakness may stem from nerve, muscle, or joint issues, making movement and activity more difficult.

Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms are sudden contractions from nerve issues, dehydration, or fatigue, causing pain and stiffness.

Joint Stiffness

Reduced flexibility in joints due to nerve irritation or inflammation.

Warmth And Hyperpigmentation

Warmth and skin hyperpigmentation may signal inflammation, poor circulation or underlying joint conditions and is often seen with swelling or pain.

Changes in Color

Changes in skin color may indicate circulation, inflammation, or nerve issues often seen as redness or discoloration.

Difficulty Standing Or Walking

Difficulty standing or walking may result from muscle, joint, or nerve issues, affecting daily mobility.

Foot Drop

Foot drop is a symptom where lifting the front of the foot becomes difficult due to nerve or muscle dysfunction, leading to an altered gait.

Restricted Range Of Motion

Difficulty moving the neck, back, or affected limbs due to pain or stiffness.

Difficulty With Fine Motor Skills

Difficulty with fine motor skills may result from nerve, muscle, or joint issues, affecting daily tasks.

Loss Of Balance

Loss of balance may stem from nerve, muscle, or vestibular issues, raising fall risk and affecting mobility.

Factors And Common Causes Contributing to Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy can result from various conditions and external factors that damage the peripheral nerves. These causes may affect individuals differently, depending on their health status, lifestyle, or medical history. Identifying the underlying cause is essential for effective treatment and prevention of further complications.

Below are some of the most common factors contributing to peripheral neuropathy:

Chronic Conditions

Chronic health conditions often create environments that harm nerve function. These conditions can directly damage nerves or impair the body’s ability to repair them. Chronic conditions that contribute to peripheral neuropathy include:

Diabetes: A leading cause of peripheral neuropathy^[2], high blood sugar levels can damage nerves over time, leading to diabetic neuropathy.

Autoimmune disorders: Conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome can trigger inflammation, causing nerve damage.

Kidney or liver diseases: Toxin buildup from impaired organ function can harm nerves, leading to sensory or motor dysfunction.

Thyroid dysfunction: An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can result in fluid retention and pressure on peripheral nerves, causing pain and numbness.

Vitamin deficiencies: Deficiencies in B vitamins ( B1, B12), vitamin E, or niacin are linked to nerve health issues and can lead to neuropathy.

Infections

Certain infections can harm the peripheral nervous system by directly attacking nerves or triggering inflammatory responses. Understanding which infections may lead to neuropathy is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment. They can include:

Shingles (Herpes Zoster): The reactivation of the chickenpox virus can cause severe nerve pain and postherpetic neuralgia.

HIV/AIDS: The virus and its treatments can lead to nerve damage, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the extremities.

Lyme disease: Caused by a tick-borne bacterium, this condition can result in nerve pain and inflammation.

Hepatitis B and C: These viral infections can cause nerve inflammation, leading to peripheral neuropathy.

Leprosy: This bacterial infection damages peripheral nerves, often leading to numbness and muscle weakness.

Nutritional Deficiencies

The body relies on specific nutrients to maintain healthy nerve function. Nutritional deficiencies can weaken or damage nerves, leading to discomfort and loss of function. Common deficiencies include:

Vitamin B1 (thiamine): Essential for nerve function, a lack of thiamine can cause pain, weakness, and sensory issues.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): Both deficiency and excessive intake of B6 can damage nerves, leading to tingling or numbness.

Vitamin B12: Critical for nerve health, a vitamin B12 deficiency can result in severe nerve damage, causing numbness, weakness, and balance issues.

Vitamin E: An antioxidant vital for protecting nerves, low levels can lead to muscle weakness and coordination problems.

Niacin (vitamin B3): Deficiency can cause pellagra, which includes neuropathy symptoms like burning pain or muscle weakness.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle choices can significantly influence the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy. Habits or environmental exposures that harm nerves or impair function may lead to chronic symptoms. Examples include:

Excessive alcohol use: Alcohol can damage nerves directly and deplete essential nutrients, such as B vitamins, critical for nerve health.

Smoking: Smoking restricts blood flow, reducing oxygen and nutrient delivery to nerves and increasing the risk of damage.

Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of physical activity weakens muscles and nerves, while prolonged immobility can lead to compression-related neuropathy.

Toxic exposure: Contact with chemicals, heavy metals, or certain industrial substances can poison nerves, causing lasting damage.

Poor diet: A diet lacking essential nutrients needed for nerve function can increase the risk of neuropathy, especially over extended periods.

Genetic Factors

Certain hereditary conditions and genetic mutations predispose individuals to nerve damage or dysfunction. Recognizing these genetic links can aid in early diagnosis and tailored treatment. Genetic factors include:

Hereditary neuropathies: Conditions like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease are inherited disorders that cause progressive nerve damage over time.

Gene mutations: Specific genetic mutations may weaken nerves or disrupt their ability to repair, making them more vulnerable to damage.

Family history: A history of neuropathy in close relatives increases the likelihood of inheriting a predisposition to similar conditions.

Inherited metabolic disorders: Genetic conditions affecting metabolism, such as Fabry disease, can lead to nerve damage as a secondary complication.

Congenital abnormalities: Some individuals are born with structural nerve defects, increasing the risk of neuropathy as they age.

Age-Related Changes

As the body ages, natural changes can make nerves more susceptible to damage, increasing the likelihood of developing peripheral neuropathy. While aging is not a direct cause, it contributes to factors that can impair nerve health. They may include:

Reduced nerve regeneration: Aging slows the body’s ability to repair and regenerate damaged nerves, leading to prolonged or permanent dysfunction.

Cumulative wear and tear: Over time, repetitive stress, injuries, and chronic conditions affect the peripheral nervous system.

Decreased circulation: Blood flow to extremities often diminishes with age, reducing oxygen and nutrient delivery to nerves.

Chronic conditions: Older adults are more likely to develop health issues like diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, or kidney disease, which can damage nerves.

Sensory decline: Age-related loss of sensory perception can exacerbate the effects of peripheral nerve damage.

How Doctors Identify And Confirm The Diagnosis

Diagnosing peripheral neuropathy involves a structured approach to determine the root cause and extent of nerve damage. Physicians rely on specific procedures and tests to evaluate symptoms, rule out other conditions, and confirm the diagnosis. Each step is critical for creating an effective treatment plan:

Medical history evaluation: Reviews symptoms, chronic conditions, lifestyle factors, and family history to identify potential causes of nerve damage.

Physical examination: Assesses muscle strength, reflexes, skin changes, and joint function to detect visible signs of neuropathy.

Neurological tests: Evaluate reflexes, coordination, muscle strength, and sensory response to identify the type and severity of nerve damage.

Diagnostic tests: Include EMG, NCS, blood tests, imaging, or biopsies to confirm the diagnosis and identify underlying causes.

Consequences Of Delaying Treatment For Nerve Condition

Delaying treatment for peripheral neuropathy can lead to significant and sometimes irreversible complications. Early intervention is essential to manage symptoms, prevent further nerve damage, and avoid long-term consequences. Below are the potential risks and outcomes of neglecting timely care for nerve conditions:

Progressive nerve damage: Ignoring neuropathy can worsen nerve damage, making symptoms more severe and treatment less effective over time.

Chronic pain and reduced mobility: Untreated neuropathy can cause long-term pain and physical limitations, severely impacting the quality of life and daily activities.

Infections, ulcers, severe complications: Numbness increases the risk of unnoticed wounds, leading to infections, ulcers, and severe complications like amputations if untreated.

Autonomic nervous system and organ function issues: Untreated autonomic neuropathy can disrupt blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion and lead to organ dysfunction or failure.

Limited treatment options over time: Early intervention ensures better outcomes, while delays can reduce treatment effectiveness and increase the risk of irreversible damage.

Compass Pain’s Comprehensive Approach To Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy can lead to symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and weakness that interfere with daily life. Recognizing these symptoms early and seeking appropriate care is essential to slowing disease progression, minimizing discomfort, and preventing complications like chronic pain or loss of mobility.

At Compass Pain and Wellness, we take a holistic, patient-centered approach to care. Our team utilizes advanced, evidence-based treatments tailored to your unique condition, aiming to improve nerve function, relieve symptoms, and restore your overall well-being.

We focus on empowering patients with the tools and support they need to manage peripheral neuropathy effectively. Through a combination of non-invasive therapies and, when necessary, advanced interventions, our goal is to help you regain control, reduce limitations, and enjoy a better quality of life.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation help manage chronic pain by reducing stress and promoting emotional resilience.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture stimulates targeted points on the body to reduce pain, support healing, and restore energy balance.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy improves strength, flexibility, and mobility while addressing pain from injury or chronic conditions.

Medication Therapy

Medication therapy uses tailored prescriptions to reduce chronic pain and improve daily function and comfort.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Peripheral nerve stimulation sends mild electrical signals to disrupt chronic pain from damaged peripheral nerves.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation delivers electrical pulses to block nerve pain and reduce discomfort in the back or limbs.

Injuries That May Lead To Peripheral Neuropathy

While peripheral neuropathy is often associated with medical conditions and lifestyle factors, certain injuries may also contribute to nerve damage. These injuries, though not directly linked to peripheral neuropathy in all cases, can create conditions that heighten the risk of nerve impairment. Here are common types of injuries that may contribute:

Trauma from accidents: Motor vehicle accidents or falls can compress or sever nerves, potentially leading to neuropathic symptoms.

Repetitive stress injuries: Continuous motions, like typing or assembly work, may inflame nerves, resulting in conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Surgical complications: Procedures near major nerve pathways can occasionally result in accidental nerve damage.

Fractures or dislocations: Broken bones or joint injuries may press on nerves, disrupting their function and causing pain or numbness.

Prolonged immobilization: Situations like casting or bedridden states can compress nerves, leading to temporary or permanent damage.

Though not every injury leads to neuropathy, timely care, and proper recovery strategies are crucial to minimizing the risk of nerve-related complications.

Our Providers

Meet our experienced and compassionate team of doctors who specialize in helping you manage your condition. With a patient-centered approach, our doctors work to understand your unique needs and provide compassionate, personalized care. Trust our providers to guide you on your journey to better health and improved well-being.

Dr. Kristi Reed, MD

Dr. Randolph Cribbs, MD

Dr. Carl Balog, MD

References

Don’t let nerve issues limit your life. The right care can help you reduce risks and reclaim confidence. Take the first step today.

Get Started