The peripheral nerves in the peripheral nervous system are responsible for sending information from the spinal cord and the brain to the rest of the body and also oversee the journey back. Three types of nerves may be affected through peripheral neuropathy: sensory nerves, motor nerves and autonomic nerves. Sensory nerves are responsible for communicating sensations such as touch, heat or pain, motor nerves are responsible for controlling how the muscles move and lastly the autonomic nerves are responsible for controlling several functions, including bladder control, blood pressure, digestion and the heart rate. 

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy occurs due to nerve damage and can cause pain and feelings of numbness in the feet and the hands. The pain that is experienced is a typical peripheral neuropathy symptom and is described by patients as burning pain, whereas the feelings of numbness, while also a typical peripheralneuropathy symptom are described by patients as a loss of sensation in the hands or the feet as if wearing a glove or stockings.
Peripheral neuropathy is mostly a result of a few set problems such as infections, traumatic injuries, toxin exposure, diabetes and issues pertaining to the metabolism. In case neuropathy is caused by a problem that can be treated, the peripheral neuropathy symptoms can tone down with time.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

The most common signs and peripheral neuropathy symptoms include the following:

• Sharp, electrifying pain
• Burning pain
• Lack or loss of coordination
• Numbness, feeling of tingling in the feet and the hands
• Heightened sensitivity to touch
• Bladder problems in case the autonomic nerves are affected
• Muscle weakness in case motor nerves are affected

The Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

There are a number of causes that can lead to neuropathy. Usually it is difficult to decipher which cause could be a possible trigger to prompting peripheral neuropathy symptoms to surface. Some of the plausible causes of peripheral neuropathy symptoms are as follows:

Autoimmune Disease:

Peripheral neuropathy symptoms could be a result of certain autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Gullian-Barre syndrome.

Alcohol Intake:

Alcoholics can also suffer from peripheral neuropathy symptoms as they succumb to poor nutrition choices and can be deficient in vitamins, leading to this condition.

Infections:

Another possible cause of neuropathy can deem be to viral infections or bacterials such as shingles, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS etc.

Diabetes:

Diabetes is yet another plausible explanation to peripheral neuropathy symptoms. In case the damage has occurred to a number of nerves, the cause is usually said to be diabetes, which leads to some sort of neuropathy or the other in the course of its journey.

Exposure to Toxins:

Exposure to toxins such as chemicals, heavy metals and medications, in particular those used to treat cancerous patients can also cause neuropathy.

Trauma or Pressure Exerted on the Nerves:

Any sort of trauma, such as injuries, falls, motor vehicle accidents etc. can easily damage certain peripheral nerves, causing neuropathy. Furthermore, sitting in one position for too long and exerting pressure on the nerves in any way can also lead to peripheral neuropathy symptoms.

Tumors:

Whether a tumor, benign or malignant, grows on the nerve or whether it pushes on to the surrounding nerves, either condition can cause peripheral neuropathy symptoms to occur.