A number of factors can cause neuropathy. These factors include:

Autoimmune diseases.

These diseases include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Guillain-Barre syndrome..

Diabetes 

Especially if your sugar levels are poorly controlled. . At least half of all people with diabetes develop some type of neuropathy. Multiple forms of diabetic neuropathy exist. Some occur due to diabetes and others are associated with it.

Exposure to poisons.

Exposure to poisons may include some toxic substances, such as heavy metals or chemicals.

Medications. 

Certain medications, especially those used to treat cancer (chemotherapy), may cause peripheral neuropathy.

Infections. Certain viral or bacterial infections can cause peripheral neuropathy, including Lyme disease, shingles (varicella-zoster), Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C, leprosy, diphtheria and HIV.

Trauma or pressure on the nerve.

Trauma can sever or damage peripheral nerves. 

Tumors.

Growths can form directly on the nerves themselves, or tumors can put pressure on surrounding nerves.

Vitamin deficiencies. 

B vitamins, including B-1, B-6 and B-12, are particularly important to nerve health. Vitamin E and niacin also are crucial to nerve health. 

Other diseases. Kidney disease, liver disease, connective tissue disorders, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and amyloidosis also can cause peripheral neuropathy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage caused by diabetes, is one of the most common known causes of neuropathy. It is one of many complications associated with diabetes, with nearly 60 percent of diabetics having some form of nerve damage. It is a progressive disease that can involve loss of sensation, as well as pain and weakness, in the feet and sometimes in the hands. Peripheral neuropathy may be more prevalent in people who have difficulty managing their blood sugar levels, have high blood pressure, are overweight, and are over 40 years old. A clinical examination may identify early signs of neuropathy in diabetics without symptoms.

The first sign of diabetic neuropathy is usually numbness, tingling or pain in the feet, legs or hands. Over a period of several years, the neuropathy may lead to muscle weakness in the feet and a loss of reflexes, especially around the ankle. As the nerve damage increases, the loss of sensation in the feet can reduce a person's ability to detect temperature or to notice pain. Because the person can no longer notice when his/her feet become injured, people with diabetic neuropathy are more likely to develop foot problems such as skin lesions and ulcers that may become infected.

Diabetic neuropathy may suddenly flare up and affect a specific nerve or group of nerves. When this occurs, the result may be weakness and muscle atrophy in various parts of the body, such as involvement of the eye muscles or eyelid (e.g., causing double vision or a drooping eyelid) or thigh muscles. Alternatively, neuropathy caused by diabetes may slowly progress over time. It also can interfere with the normal functioning of the digestive system and sexual organs.

 

Symptoms and Signs

(Not all symptoms and signs may be present.)

• Numbness, tingling, or pain in the toes, feet, legs, hands, arms, and fingers

• Indigestion, nausea, or vomiting

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Dizziness or faintness due to a drop in blood pressure especially when rising to a standing position

• Problems with urination

• Erectile dysfunction (impotence) or vaginal dryness

 

Peripheral neuropathy 

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy. Your feet and legs are often affected first, followed by your hands and arms. Possible signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:

 

Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or changes in temperature, especially in your feet and toes

 

A tingling or burning feeling

 

Sharp, jabbing pain that may be worse at night

 

Pain when walking

 

Extreme sensitivity to the lightest touch — for some people, even the weight of a sheet can be agonizing

 

Muscle weakness and difficulty walking

 

Serious foot problems, such as ulcers, infections, deformities, and bone and joint pain

 

Autonomic neuropathy 

The autonomic nervous system controls your heart, bladder, lungs, stomach, intestines, sex organs and eyes. Diabetes can affect the nerves in any of these areas, possibly causing:

A lack of awareness that blood sugar levels are low (hypoglycemia unawareness).

Bladder problems, including frequent urinary tract infections or urinary incontinence.

Constipation, uncontrolled diarrhea or a combination of the two.

Slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis), leading to nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.

Difficulty swallowing.

Erectile dysfunction in men.

Vaginal dryness and other sexual difficulties in women.

Increased or decreased sweating.

Inability of your body to adjust blood pressure and heart rate, leading to sharp drops in blood pressure when you rise from sitting or lying down (orthostatic hypotension) that may cause you to feel lightheaded or even faint.

Problems regulating your body temperature.

Changes in the way your eyes adjust from light to dark.

Increased heart rate when you're at rest.