Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy: The Numbers

About 40% of all cases of peripheral neuropathy have a variety of causes such as heredity, autoimmune disorders, nutritional imbalances, tumors, infections or toxins. About 30% of all cases is caused by diabetes. The remaining 30% of peripheral neuropathy cases are not currently linked to a cause.

Diabetes

Of the causes of peripheral neuropathy, Diabetes is number one. Approximately 60% of people who have Diabetes will contract some form of peripheral neuropathy. Although the exact causes of diabetic neuropathy are unknown, several factors may contribute to the disorder. Diabetics suffer from having high levels of blood glucose that they have to fight to control. These high glucose levels cause chemical changes in nerves which impairs the nerves' ability to transmit signals. High glucose levels also have the potential to damage blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. Once the nerves are damaged, signals either stop being sent through the body, or the incorrect signals are sent.

When incorrect signals are sent, a person may get tingling or burning sensations that are normally designed to protect you, but now there might not be anything to protect you from (i.e. you might feel like your foot is cold, but really the temperature is fine). And if no signals are sent, you could be in pain from infection, burning yourself or cold, but you don't realize it because the nerves are no longer sending signals as they should.

Other Causes

There are other situations that are known to cause peripheral neuropathy

• Vitamin deficiency - especially B12 and Folates
• Alcohol abuse
• Toxins - prolonged exposure to toxins, such as heavy metals, gold compounds, lead, arsenic, mercury, and organophosphate pesticides
• Shingles
• Autoimmune diseases - this includes lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or Guillain-Barre syndrome
• AIDS
• Heredity
• Cancer therapy drugs
• Severe trauma or injury

And remember, sometimes the causes of neuropathy cannot be determined by physicians.