The nervous system is made up of nerve fibers throughout the body that send messages about pain, temperature and vibrations to the brain. In other words, the nervous system works when the brain reads these messages. Neuropathy can bring about any abnormal changes, breaking down or swelling of the nerves in the brain and the spinal cord. Some symptoms are muscle weakness, numbness, tingling and pain in the hands and feet. Diabetes and alcoholism are the major causes of neuropathy.
Doctors have no idea what causes neuropathy in one third of all the cases.
Many people think that they have arthritis when they really have peripheral neuropathy. It s a disease that we don t talk about much, so go and tell your people. HIV disease and medications like AZT, ddC, and d4T can also cause neuropathy symptoms. If the drugs are stopped soon enough, the neuropathy goes away. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of neuropathy, like muscle weakness, numbness, tingling or pain in your hands and feet, go and see your doctor, no matter how small it may seem.