Adult Peripheral Neuropathy Healthcare Professional Version Janis Tener RN Peripheral nerves are all the nerves outside the central nervous system. Peripheral nerves connect the spinal cord and the brain to all other organs of the body. Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder affecting various peripheral nerves.
Peripheral neuropathy is a complication of many systemic diseases.
It mainly affects the distal muscles of extremities. The most common causes of peripheral neuropathy in adults in developed countries are diabetes and alcoholism. The main worldwide cause of peripheral neuropathy is leprosy. There is an increasing incidence of neuropathies related to HIV infection. Other causes of peripheral neuropathy include vitamin deficiency, inflammation, infection, ischemia, hyperthyroidism, occlusive vascular disease, trauma, compressed nerve, dialysis, metabolic disorders, various medications, and heredity.