What are the Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy?

There are at least 30 known causes of peripheral neuropathy, a condition due damage of the nerves-resulting in pain, numbness, burning, pins and needles sensation in the feet. Diabetes is the cause of peripheral neuropathy. It is estimated that over 60% of all diabetics will develop some form of peripheral neuropathy. The following are other common causes of peripheral neuropathy:

Neuropathies Caused by Autoimmune Diseases:

An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system destroys or attacks its own bodily tissues. Autoimmune diseases that may result in neuropathy include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and Guillian-Barre syndrome.

Neuropathies Caused by Cancer:

Cancers that have linked neuropathy are multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma and small cell lung cancer.

Neuropathies caused by lack of certain vitamins and nutrients:

Deficiencies of vitamins B-12(cobalamin), B-1(thiamine), B-6 (pyridoxine) can cause neuropathy. The best way of obtaining these nutrients is through proper diet or supplementation with products containing these vitamins such as Nerve Health Essential Nutrients (an over-the counter vitamin supplement) or by a prescription of Metanx, an FDA approved medical food.

Neuropathy Caused by Hereditary Conditions:

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease A number of inherited conditions have a neuropathy component. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a genetic, inherited disease. It initially causes typical neuropathy symptoms of numbness and pain and usually progresses, causing muscle weakness and muscle atrophy.

Neuropathy Caused by Injury:

Injury, excessive pressure or repetitive motion to a specific nerve can result in nerve damage causing peripheral neuropathy symptoms. The most common neuropathies in this category are carpal tunnel (affecting the wrist and fingers) and tarsal tunnel syndrome (affecting the bottom surface of the foot and the toes).

Neuropathies caused by toxins:

Exposure to certain toxins such as arsenic, lead, mercury, thallium, chemical solvents and nitrous oxide, can cause nerve damage.

Other Causes of Neuropathy:

Chemotherapy agents that aggressively “attack” cancer cells often have a toxic effect on the nerves as well. The extent of nerve damage depends on the cumulative dose and the type of drugs used. Neuropathy Caused by Excessive Alcohol Intake- Prolonged and excessive use of alcohol will invariably have a toxic effect on nerve tissue. Nutritional deficiencies often associated with alcohol abuse can exacerbate neuropathy symptoms. Neuropathies Caused by Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy agents that aggressively “attack” cancer cells often have a toxic effect on the nerves as well. The extent of nerve damage depends on the cumulative dose and the type of drugs used.

Idiopathic neuropathy:

most neuropathy sufferers fall into this category In many cases no specific cause of peripheral neuropathy can be identified. This called idiopathic neuropathy and it is estimated that over 65 percent of all neuropathies fall into this category. A person can all the symptoms of neuropathy-pain, burning, tingling and numbness and nerve conduction test could also confirm neuropathy; however the exact causative factors are unknown.