Neuropathy is a condition in which the peripheral nerves become damaged. Neuropathy can stem from nerve compression, sustaining a traumatic injury or even being malnourished. Some diseases, such as diabetes, kidney failure and HIV, can increase the risk of developing neuropathy.
Classification
Neuropathy is divided into categories that are consistent with the type of nerve damage you have. Your doctor may use terms such as mononeuropathy or polyneuropathy to describe damage to one or many areas of your body, respectively. Symmetric neuropathy means that you experience the same symptoms on both sides of your body in the same places.
Sensory Disturbance
People with neuropathy often have sensory disturbance in the part of their body that is affected. You may feel tingling, as if your hand is asleep. Your hands or feet may seem like they are encased in something, like wearing a sock or mitten. Burning and an electric-like pain are other sensory symptoms of neuropathy.
Unsteadiness
If you have motor nerve neuropathy, you may feel weak or unsteady on your feet. Balance and coordination difficulties are common symptoms of motor nerve damage.
Muscle Pain
Achy muscles and cramping can be symptoms of neuropathy that occurs in the motor nerves.
Systemic Symptoms
If neuropathy affects your autonomic nervous system, you may experience a variety of symptoms that depend on the location of the nerve damage. These may include a change in blood pressure levels, incontinence, the inability to sweat and heart rate abnormalities.
Severity
Your symptoms may not always be the same throughout the day, though you may feel worse at night. The onset of some neuropathy symptoms may be very gradual, while other disturbances may appear suddenly.
Tags: nerve damage, motor nerve, symptoms neuropathy, your body