Peripheral neuropathy most frequently affects the muscles and the feeling in the legs and feet and sometimes the hands. The most common causes of peripheral neuropathy are diabetes, alcoholism, and HIV infections. Other causes include a lack of certain vitamins, infection, poor blood flow to the arms and legs, injury, heredity, and various medications. Sometimes the cause cannot be found. Peripheral neuropathy usually affects both legs evenly.
Symptoms happen gradually over a long period of time.
Other symptoms include weight loss, tripping easily, difficulty climbing stairs, decreased strength in the hands, and restless legs. Pain may be described as aching, burning, jabbing, searing, and a tightness. Pain can be caused by pressure on a nerve, touch, temperature changes, and poor blood flow. The pain of peripheral neuropathy can vary from day to day. Treatment for peripheral neuropathy includes treating the pain and treating the illness causing the peripheral neuropathy.