How Does Peripheral Neuropathy Develop? What Are Its Four Stages?

A condition of the nerves that regulate sensation, movement, and muscle strength is called peripheral neuropathy. Diabetes, physical injuries, infections, metabolic abnormalities, and genetic reasons are just a few of the things that might cause it.

A doctor will prescribe tests after making a diagnosis to determine what is causing the nerve damage. These may include blood tests to look for hidden infections or vitamin deficiencies as well as bodily fluid testing to check for metabolic disorders like diabetes, liver or kidney issues, and other metabolic illnesses.

Peripheral neuropathy can cause a variety of symptoms, such as numbness (often referred to as “pins and needles”) and discomfort in the hands and feet. These may also be accompanied by additional issues such as difficulty walking and balancing, muscle weakness or paralysis, or other issues.

Peripheral neuropathy can appear suddenly or gradually over the course of days, weeks, months, or even years. This is due to the fact that it depends on how the nerves have been affected as well as whether or not they are healthy and located where they should be in your body.

When severely damaged, nerve cells cannot be easily replaced or healed like other body parts. Numerous factors, such as trauma, surgery, or even problems with blood circulation, such as a lack of blood flow, can harm nerves.

It’s time to consult a board-certified neurologist if you’ve had numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hands or feet for longer than you’d like. Luay Shayya, MD, a specialist in identifying all forms of neuropathy at Neurology Consultants of Arizona in Scottsdale, offers specialized treatment options that can help you control your symptoms and find long-lasting relief.

Peripheral nerve damage can cause a wide range of symptoms. They may impair a person’s capacity for pain and temperature perception, as well as their ability to feel their hands and feet, feel weak, and be paralyzed.

The most typical symptoms include numbness and pain, which may get worse at night. When a touch or pressure that ordinarily doesn’t hurt causes an extreme reaction (allodynia) or hurts more than usual (hyperalgesia), it may be uncomfortable.

Peripheral neuropathy impairs the nerves that transmit motor signals to the muscles, making weakness and paralysis probable. In the dark, especially, it can result in clumsiness, balance issues, and even falls.

Traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic issues, exposure to chemicals, and hereditary conditions can all result in peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, if you have uncontrolled type 2 diabetes or an alcohol use disorder, it may occur.

People in stage three frequently believe they are unable to complete particular things with ease. Usually, a number of conditions, such as pain and numbness, combine to cause this.

Additionally, it can be challenging to find the motivation to do formerly enjoyable duties like washing the dishes or mopping the kitchen floor. Some of the people I deal with find it beneficial to divide a difficult activity into smaller, more manageable parts.

Getting medical advice is the first step in diagnosing and treating any underlying causes of peripheral neuropathy. Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and set up tests to ascertain the root of your illness.

Depending on the underlying reason, peripheral neuropathy has different treatments. While some treatments aim to lessen the condition’s effects, others are made to have as little of an influence on your life as possible.

Your central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and the rest of your body are communicated with by peripheral nerves. These signals convey data related to temperature, pain, and other senses.

There are numerous ways to harm a nerve. Infections like HIV or Lyme disease as well as exposure to poisons and chemicals are some of the most frequent reasons.

Genetic disorders like familial amyloidosis and Fabry disease are among the other causes. Idiopathic neuropathy is a type of neuropathy that has no known cause.

These neuropathies often progress gradually over time. Although they frequently begin in the feet, they can also affect the hands and arms.

In stage 4, your nerves are so severely injured that they are unable to communicate with your brain at all. As a result, you’ll experience numbness in your feet and legs, as well as difficulty walking, balancing, and coordinating.