Peripheral neuropathy, a result of damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves). It often causes weakness, numbness, and pain from and to the rest of the body are damaged or diseased. The peripheral nerves make up an intricate network that connects the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, skin, and internal organs. t can also affect other areas and body functions including digestion, urination, and circulation. More than 100 different types of peripheral neuropathy exist. Your peripheral nervous system sends information from your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) to the rest of your body. Each type has unique symptoms and specific treatment options. The peripheral nerves also send sensory information to the central nervous system. Peripheral neuropathies are further classified by the type of nerve damage involved. Peripheral neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes, and exposure to toxins.
What are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?
The three types of peripheral nerves are:
- sensory nerves, which connect to your skin
- motor nerves, which connect to your muscles
- autonomic nerves, which connect to your internal organs
Peripheral neuropathy can affect one nerve group or all three.
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:
- tingling in the hands or feet
- a feeling like you’re wearing a tight glove or sock
- sharp, stabbing pains
- numbness in the hands or feet
- a weak, heavy feeling in the arms and legs, which sometimes may feel like your legs or arms lock in place
- regularly dropping things from your hands
- a buzzing or shocking sensation
- thinning of the skin
- a drop in blood pressure
- sexual dysfunction, especially in men
- constipation
- digestive difficulty
- diarrhea
- excessive sweating
