Peripheral neuropathy - Overview

Definition of Peripheral neuropathy:

Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord. This produces pain, loss of sensation, and inability to control muscles.

• "Peripheral" means nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord.
• "Neuro" means nerves.
• "Pathy" means abnormal.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The peripheral nerves relay information from your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to muscles and other organs and from your skin, joints, and other organs back to your brain. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when these nerves fail to function properly, resulting in pain, loss of sensation, or inability to control muscles.

In some cases, the failure of nerves that control blood vessels, intestines, and other organs results in abnormal blood pressure, digestion problems, and loss of other basic body processes. Peripheral neuropathy may involve damage to a single nerve or nerve group (mononeuropathy) or may affect multiple nerves (polyneuropathy).

There are numerous reasons for nerves to malfunction. In some cases, no cause can be identified. Damage to nerves can result from one of the specific conditions associated with neuropathy, including:

• Hereditary disorders
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
  • Friedreich's ataxia
• Systemic or metabolic disorders
  • Diabetes (diabetic neuropathy)
  • Dietary deficiencies (especially vitamin B-12)
  • Excessive alcohol use (alcoholic neuropathy)
  • Uremia (from kidney failure)
  • Cancer
• Infectious or inflammatory conditions
  • AIDS
  • Hepatitis
  • Colorado tick fever
  • Diphtheria
  • Guillain-Barre syndrome
  • HIV infection without development of AIDS
  • Leprosy
  • Lyme disease
  • Polyarteritis nodosa
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Sjogren syndrome
  • Syphilis
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Amyloidosis
• Exposure to toxic compounds
  • Sniffing glue or other toxic compounds
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Industrial agents -- especially solvents
  • Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.)
• Neuropathy secondary to drugs (many drugs can cause neuropathy)
• Miscellaneous causes
  • Ischemia (decreased oxygen and blood flow)
  • Prolonged exposure to cold temperature

Peripheral neuropathy is very common. Because there are numerous types and causes of neuropathy and scientists don't always agree on the same definition of neuropathy, the exact incidence cannot be determined precisely.

Some people have a hereditary predisposition for neuropathy.

Prolonged pressure on a nerve is another risk for developing a nerve injury. Pressure injury may be caused by prolonged immobility (such as a long surgical procedure or lengthy illness) or compression of a nerve by casts, splints, braces, crutches, or other devices.