Neuropathy is a symptom that can be caused by a number of diseases and conditions. Here are 10 of the most common risk factors for developing peripheral neuropathy.

1. 10 Peripheral
Neuropathy Risk
Factors

2. Neuropathy can be caused by
an underlying condition or
disease, nerve compression,
laceration, and inflammation.
The following ten risk factors
help patients and doctors
alike understand the
development of their nerve
pain so a proper treatment
can be designed.

3. Diabetes
Neuropathy is a disabling lower extremity
condition that many diabetic patients
encounter within their disease. According to
research, about 50 percent of patients with
diabetes will develop diabetic neuropathy.
People with diabetes who do not manage their
blood glucose levels
properly are at an even
higher risk of developing
diabetic nerve pain.

4. Thyroid Disorders
Metabolic
disorders other
than diabetes,
including pre-
diabetes, have a
similar impact
on nerve
function.

5. Alcohol
Alcoholic neuropathy
is a result of poor
nutrition and
poisoning of the
nerves through
excessive alcohol
intake. Experts say
that as many as half of alcohol abusers
will develop nerve pain.

6. Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamin B-12 is an essential
nutrient that the body produces
naturally. Serious anemia, nerve
damage, and degeneration of the
spinal cord may ensue if there is a
sufficient deficiency of this
fundamental vitamin.

7. Infections
Lyme disease, for example, is
an inflammatory disease that
produces a skin rash and joint
pain. Nerve pain often
develops as a result of
weakened limbs.
Other infections that may promote nerve
pain include shingles, Epstein-Barr virus,
hepatitis C, and HIV.

8. Autoimmune Diseases
Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, for
example, cause the immune system
to attack a person’s own nerve
tissue.

9. Kidney & Liver Disorders
These disorders sometimes affect the
immune system, which can manipulate
information sent through the nerve
pathways. Diseases of the liver and
kidney affect the ability of the body to
remove toxins from the
blood, impacting the
nerve function.

10. Exposure to Toxins
This can be from drug ingestion, drug or
chemical abuse, or some sort of chemical
exposure in the environment (ie
industrial workplace. Exposure to toxic
substances can affect nerve function
when blood flow to the limbs
is hindered, depriving nerve
cells of oxygen.

11. Repetitive Physical Stress
Entrapment neuropathies are frequently
developed from repetitive and forceful
actions that require
excessive motions of
joints in the body. These
activities can cause
inflammation to the
ligaments, tendons, and
muscles, eventually leading to constricted
nerve pathways.

12. Injury
Twisted an ankle and still have pain
months later? This could be a sign
of nerve damage or entrapment.
The same can happen with other
acute injuries, such as blunt
trauma.

13. To Learn More about
Neuropathy and Your
Treatment Options:
www.usneuropathycenters.com