Peripheral neuropathy

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Central nervous system

Nervous system

Peripheral neuropathy is a problem with the nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord. This can produce pain, loss of sensation, and an inability to control muscles.

• "Peripheral" means nerves further out from the center of the body, distant from the brain and spinal cord.
• "Neuro" means nerves.
• "Pathy" means abnormal.

Peripheral neuritis; Neuropathy - peripheral; Neuritis - peripheral

One set of peripheral nerves relay information from your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to muscles and other organs. A second set relays information from your skin, joints, and other organs back to your brain.

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Peripheral neuropathy occurs when these nerves don't work properly, resulting in pain, loss of sensation, inability to control muscles, and other possible problems.

In some cases, the failure of nerves that control blood vessels, intestines, and other organs results in abnormal blood pressure, digestion problems, and loss of other basic body processes. Peripheral neuropathy may involve damage to a single nerve or nerve group (mononeuropathy) or may affect multiple nerves (polyneuropathy).

There are numerous reasons for nerves to malfunction. In many cases, no cause can be identified. Damage to nerves can result from:

• Diseases that run in families (hereditary disorders) such as:
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
  • Friedreich's ataxia
• Diseases that affect the whole body (systemic or metabolic disorders) such as:
  • Diabetes (diabetic neuropathy)
  • Dietary deficiencies (especially vitamin B-12)
  • Excessive alcohol use (alcoholic neuropathy)
  • Uremia (from kidney failure)
  • Cancer
• Infections or inflammation, including:
  • AIDS
  • Hepatitis
  • Colorado tick fever
  • Diphtheria
  • Guillain-Barre syndrome
  • HIV infection without development of AIDS
  • Leprosy
  • Lyme disease
  • Polyarteritis nodosa
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Sjogren syndrome
  • Syphilis
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Amyloidosis
• Exposure to poisonous substances such as:
  • Sniffing glue or other toxic compounds
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Industrial chemicals -- especially solvents
  • Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.)
• Neuropathy secondary to drugs (many drugs, including some used for chemotherapy, can cause neuropathy)
• Miscellaneous causes
  • Compression of a nerve by casts, splints, braces, crutches, or other devices
  • Decreased oxygen and blood flow (ischemia)
  • Direct injury of the nerve either by hitting the nerve
  • Prolonged exposure to cold temperature
  • Prolonged pressure on the nerve (such as a long surgery or lengthy illness)

Peripheral neuropathy is very common. Because there are numerous types and causes of neuropathy and scientists don't always agree on the same definition of neuropathy, the exact incidence cannot be determined precisely.

Some people have a hereditary predisposition for neuropathy.

Review Date: 09/11/2008
Reviewed By: Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, Washington; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.