Are You Suffering with These Symptoms of Neuropathy?

The nerves outside your brain and spinal cord are collectively known as your peripheral nerves. Networked throughout your entire body and all of your organs, any of these nerves can sustain damage resulting in a condition called neuropathy, or peripheral neuropathy. 

Over 28% of people over 40 with diabetes experience neuropathy, but high blood sugar associated with diabetes is far from the only potential cause of nerve damage. Neuropathy can also be a complication of:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Autoimmune conditions
• Specific medications
• Exposure to toxins
• Cancer
• Genetic conditions
• Infections
• Surgeries
• Traumatic injuries
• Vascular disorders

If you have symptoms of neuropathy, Haddis T. Hagos, MD, and Brent Earls, MD, investigate possible causes during your initial evaluation at Pain Management Associates LLC in Greenbelt, Maryland. With any cause, neuropathy is fortunately manageable using individualized interventional pain care. 

The many symptoms that can come with neuropathy fall within three distinctive categories:

Sensory neuropathy symptoms

You’re probably not surprised to hear that nerve damage can cause several sensory symptoms. Because many peripheral nerves detect sensations, you may experience disruptions related to your nerve damage. 

While evaluating your neuropathy, your provider at Pain Management Associates LLC may ask if you experience any of the following sensory symptoms:

• Tingling
• Numbness
• Neuropathic pain
• Balance problems

You might also notice that pain in any capacity feels more intense than it did before. Even something minor like stubbing your toe suddenly feels immensely painful when you have neuropathy. Pain or increased pain intensity is perhaps the most disruptive symptom you can get from the condition. 

Motor neuropathy symptoms

Your motor nerves are responsible for communicating with your muscles so you can move how and when you want. Just like sensory nerves, neuropathy can affect motor nerve function, too. 

Some of the most common motor symptoms of neuropathy include:

• Muscle weakness
• Muscle paralysis
• Cramping
• Uncontrolled muscle spasms or movements
• Muscle atrophy (shrinkage)
• Foot drop

While evaluating your condition at Pain Management Associates LLC, your provider gives you a neurological exam and may have you perform simple tasks so they can accurately assess your motor symptoms. 

Autonomic neuropathy symptoms

Many people are aware of motor and sensory peripheral neuropathy symptoms, but autonomic neuropathy symptoms are a bit more unexpected. You may be surprised to hear that some of your daily difficulties like sexual dysfunction are linked to your neuropathy, too. 

Your autonomic nerves are the nerves that regulate involuntary processes like the function of your organs. If neuropathy affects these nerves, you might experience:

• Incontinence
• Constipation
• Sweating
• Lack of sweating
• High or low blood pressure
• Skin changes
• Erectile dysfunction
• Blurry vision

Any autonomic symptoms you experience depend on the precise nerves that neuropathy affects. For example, damage to the optic nerve causes optic neuropathy, which can lead to blurry vision or even blindness. 

Don’t ignore the symptoms of neuropathy even if you don’t have diabetes. Call Pain Management Associates LLC for a neurological exam that includes nerve conduction studies, or schedule an appointment online for neuropathy care today.