Disease: neuropathy
Question: for neuropathy, what are the causes of peripheral neuropathy??
Answer: A variety of factors and underlying conditions can cause
this condition. In rare cases, peripheral neuropathy is genetic, but most cases are acquired.
An acquired case of peripheral neuropathy is often idiopathic, which means doctors don�t know why it�s happening. In most cases, doctors can connect the condition to one or more causes.
Generalized diseases
Nerve damage caused by diabetes is one of the most common forms of neuropathy. This leads to numbness, pain, and a loss of sensation in the extremities.
The American Diabetes Association recommends taking these steps to delay or prevent nerve damage:
Monitor your blood sugar level to keep it in target range and to assess whether your diabetes care plan is on track.
Inspect your feet for signs of injury, infection, or hot spots.
Report signs of neuropathy to your doctor and get early treatment.
Protect your feet with special shoes and take care when washing and exercising.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 60 to 70 percent
of people with diabetes have some sort of nerve damage.
Other chronic diseases that may cause nerve damage include:
autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
kidney or liver disorders
vascular and blood disorders
Injury
Physical trauma is a common cause of injury to the nerves. This can include car accidents, falls, or fractures. Inactivity, or holding still too long in one position, can also cause neuropathy.
Increased pressure on the median nerve, a nerve in the wrist that supplies feeling and movement to the hand, causes carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a common type
of peripheral neuropathy.
Alcohol and toxins
Alcohol can have a toxic effect on nerve tissue, putting people with severe alcohol use disorder at a higher risk of peripheral neuropathy.
Exposure to toxic chemicals like glue, solvents, or insecticides, either through chemical abuse or in the workplace, can also cause nerve damage. Additionally, exposure to heavy metals such as lead and mercury can also cause this condition.
Infections and autoimmune disorders
Certain viruses and bacteria directly attack nerve tissue.
Viruses such as herpes simplex, varicella-zoster virus (which causes chickenpox and shingles), and Epstein-Barr virus damage sensory nerves and cause intense episodes of shooting pain.
Bacterial infections such as Lyme disease can also cause nerve damage and pain if they aren�t treated. People with HIV or AIDS can also develop peripheral neuropathy.
Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus affect the peripheral nervous system in various ways. Chronic inflammation and damage to tissues throughout the body, as well as pressure caused by inflammation, can all lead to severe nerve pain in the extremities.
Medications
Certain medications may also cause nerve damage. These include:
anticonvulsants, which people take to treat seizures
drugs to fight bacterial infections
some blood pressure medications
medications used to treat cancer
A 2020 study found that although there�s no direct evidence that statins, a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease, cause neuropathy, statins may increase the risk of neuropathy from other causes.