NEUROPATHY
Neuropathy is a form of nerve damage that is estimated to affect more than 20 million Americans. It often accompanies other health problems including diabetes, cancer, shingles, autoimmune disease or injury.
At OPRI Health we have an array of solutions to help you conquer these issues that impact your life on a daily basis. Our doctors know what it takes to overcome these issues and our therapy and dietary solutions can help you over come the problems you are facing neurologically and physically.
Causes
Neuropathy is very common. There are many types and causes. Often, no cause can be found. Some nerve diseases run in families.
Diabetes is the most common cause of this type of nerve problem. High blood sugar levels over a long time can damage your nerves.
Other health conditions that may cause neuropathy are:
- Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- Chronic kidney disease
- Infections such as HIV/AIDS, shingles, and hepatitis C
- Low levels of vitamin B1, B6, B12, or other vitamins
- Metabolic disease
- Poisoning due to heavy metals, such as lead
- Poor blood flow to the legs
- Underactive thyroid gland
- Bone marrow disorders
- Tumors
- Certain inherited disorders
Other things that can lead to nerve damage are:
- Trauma or pressure on a nerve
- Long-term, heavy alcohol use
- Glue, lead, mercury, and solvent poisoning
- Medicines that treat infections, cancer, seizures, and high blood pressure
- Pressure on a nerve, such as from carpal tunnel syndrome
- Being exposed to cold temperatures for a long period of time
- Pressure from bad-fitting casts, splints, a brace, or crutches
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on which nerve is damaged, and whether the damage affects one nerve, several nerves, or the whole body.
PAIN AND NUMBNESS
Tingling or burning in the arms and legs may be an early sign of nerve damage. These feelings often start in your toes and feet. You may have deep pain. This often happens in the feet and legs.
You may lose feeling in your legs and arms. Because of this, you may not notice when you step on something sharp. You may not notice when you touch something that is too hot or cold, like the water in a bathtub. You may not know when you have a small blister or sore on your feet.
Numbness may make it harder to tell where your feet are moving and can cause a loss of balance.
MUSCLE PROBLEMS
Damage to the nerves can make it harder to control muscles. It can also cause weakness. You may notice problems moving a part of your body. You may fall because your legs buckle. You may trip over your toes.
Doing tasks such as buttoning a shirt may be harder. You may also notice that your muscles twitch or cramp. Your muscles may become smaller.
PROBLEMS WITH BODY ORGANS
People with nerve damage may have problems digesting food. You may feel full or bloated and have heartburn after eating only a little food. Sometimes, you may vomit food that has not been digested well. You may have either loose stools or hard stools. Some people have problems swallowing.
Damage to the nerves to your heart may cause you to feel lightheaded, or faint, when you stand up.
Angina is the warning chest pain for some heart diseases and heart attack. Nerve damage may hide this warning sign. You should learn other warning signs of a heart attack. They are sudden fatigue, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting.
OTHER SYMPTOMS OF NERVE DAMAGE
- Sexual problems. Men may have problems with erections. Women may have trouble with vaginal dryness or orgasm.
- Some people may not be able to tell when their blood sugar gets too low.
- Bladder problems. You may leak urine. You may not be able to tell when your bladder is full. Some people are not able to empty their bladder.
- You may sweat too little or too much. This may cause problems controlling your body temperature.