How does peripheral neuropathy occur

Treatment for the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy focuses on treating the underlying disorder. If diabetes is the cause, the focus is on blood sugar control. If a vitamin deficiency is causing the problem, then correcting the deficiency is the treatment. Many treatments can bring relief and help you return to your regular activities.

Sometimes a combination of treatments works best. Over-the-counter OTC oral pain medications like acetaminophen Tylenol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can be very helpful in controlling moderate pain.

If you take them in excess, these drugs can affect your liver or stomach function. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy includes a list of additional topical OTC medications you may consider trying. They include:. Many prescription pain medications can also help to control the pain of this condition.

These include narcotics, some antiepileptic medications, and some antidepressants. Other helpful prescription medications include:. Prescription drugs for sexual dysfunction in men due to nerve damage include phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors PDE5Is like:. Your doctor can use several medical treatments to control the symptoms of this condition. Plasmapheresis is a blood transfusion that removes potentially irritating antibodies from your bloodstream.

During TENS, electrodes placed on the skin send small amounts of electricity into the skin. The goal of this treatment is to disrupt nerves from transmitting pain signals to the brain. Ergonomic casts or splints can help you if your neuropathy affects your muscles. Splints can help with:. This can relieve pain. For example, a cast or splint that holds your wrists in a proper position while you sleep can relieve the discomfort of carpal tunnel syndrome.

In addition to OTC pain relievers, many people have found relief for peripheral neuropathy through:. If you drink alcohol or smoke, consider cutting back or stopping. Both alcohol and tobacco aggravate nerve pain and can cause nerve damage when used for long periods. You can do the following to improve your safety:. If your neuropathy is due to an underlying, treatable condition, you may be able to stop your peripheral neuropathy by treating the larger problem.

Speak with your doctor to determine the best medical treatment for you, and explore complementary and self-care options that can supplement your medical care. You can take steps to prevent peripheral neuropathy and lower your risk by:.

Eating healthy to prevent vitamin deficiency and support vascular health is of particular importance. Keeping a balanced diet that includes all the food groups is your best course of action. However, the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has a list of some specific nutrients and vitamins to look out for in your food that may play a role in improving some symptoms.

If you have diabetes, take special care of your feet. Wash and inspect your feet daily, and keep the skin moist with lotion. Peripheral neuropathy is the result of damage to one or more groups of nerves.

An injury, systemic illness, and medications are all potential causes. By treating the underlying reason for neuropathy, you can delay its onset or stop it from getting worse. Self-care strategies like daily planning can help you manage the condition and improve daily life. Peripheral neuropathy causes pain, typically in the hands and feet. Learn about simple exercises you can complete at home to treat peripheral…. Peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, and chronic pain.

Your peripheral nervous system sends information from your brain and spinal cord central nervous system to the rest of your body. The peripheral nerves also send sensory information to the central nervous system. Peripheral neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes is diabetes. People with peripheral neuropathy generally describe the pain as stabbing, burning or tingling.

In many cases, symptoms improve, especially if caused by a treatable condition. Medications can reduce the pain of peripheral neuropathy. Every nerve in your peripheral system has a specific function, so symptoms depend on the type of nerves affected.

Nerves are classified into:. Peripheral neuropathy can affect one nerve mononeuropathy , two or more nerves in different areas multiple mononeuropathy , or many nerves polyneuropathy. Carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of mononeuropathy. Most people with peripheral neuropathy have polyneuropathy. Seek medical care right away if you notice unusual tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet.

Early diagnosis and treatment offer the best chance for controlling your symptoms and preventing further damage to your peripheral nerves. Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage caused by a number of different conditions. Health conditions that can cause peripheral neuropathy include:.

The best way to prevent peripheral neuropathy is to manage medical conditions that put you at risk, such as diabetes, alcoholism or rheumatoid arthritis.

Peripheral neuropathy care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. A doctor may also do a nerve biopsy. In cases of suspected autonomic peripheral neuropathy, a person can get a QSART test, which measures their ability to sweat.

For some types of neuropathies, like nerve compression, a person can also get a magnetic resonance imaging MRI scan or a computed tomography CT scan. Another option is a muscle and nerve ultrasound, but this is not common.

If the doctor confirms that neuropathy is present, the doctor will look for the cause. The doctor may then send the person to get blood tests in order to check for diabetes and other potential underlying conditions. The doctor may check for vitamin deficiencies, liver or kidney dysfunction, infections, metabolic disorders, or any immune cells that may indicate an immune disorder. In some cases, the doctor may order a test to rule out a genetic disorder.

The outlook for peripheral neuropathy varies depending on the underlying cause, and which nerves have been damaged. Some cases may improve with time if the underlying cause is treated, but in others, the damage may be permanent or gradually worsen over time.

Peripheral neuropathy describes many different conditions that damage the peripheral nervous system. The condition affects more than 20 million people in the U. Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that affects a range of nerves in the bodies of some people with diabetes. It can lead to paralysis and might have…. A look at chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy CIDP , a condition that leads to nerve damage.

Included is detail on treatment. Polyneuropathy is damage to multiple nerves outside of the brain and central nervous system. This can cause pain, discomfort, and mobility…. A feeling of tingling in the feet or hands can have a variety of causes. Many are related to peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage, but others include….

An occipital nerve block is an injection that provides relief from headache pain. We examine the procedure and what types of head pain it may…. What is peripheral neuropathy? Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M. Symptoms Treatment Causes Outlook Summary Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nerves. Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help?