Nerve Pain & Damage

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy can result from infections, metabolic problems, or genetic causes. Some common causes include:

• Diabetes – More than half the people with diabetes develop some type of neuropathy.
• Certain Infections – Including Lyme disease, shingles, hepatitis B and C, leprosy, diphtheria, and HIV.
• Autoimmune Diseases – Such as lupus, arthritis, or Guillain-Barre syndrome.
• Genetic Disorders – Disorders such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease are hereditary types of neuropathy.
• Tumors – Growths can occur on the nerves or press against the nerves, causing numbness and tingling.
• Other Diseases – These include kidney disease, liver disease, connective tissue disorders and hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Symptoms depend on the type of nerves affected. However, symptoms of the condition generally include pain that is stabbing, burning, or tingling, and:

• Numbness, prickling, or tingling in your feet and legs
• Sharp, jabbing, throbbing or burning pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Pain during activities that shouldn’t cause pain, like walking or when your feet are under a blanket
• Paralysis
• Lack of coordination and falling
• Muscle weakness

Treatment Options

Many patients’ symptoms improve with time, especially with treatable conditions like infection. However, if you experience peripheral neuropathy due to a chronic condition, you will have to monitor your feet for sores or cuts since you are unable to feel when these injuries occur. Medications can reduce the pain of peripheral neuropathy as well. Dr. Milkie will be able to find the best treatment plan for you.

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