Neuropathy is a generic term that refers to damage to the peripheral nerves which normally transmit messages from the central nervous system to the muscles, glands, and organs, as well as sensory information from the skin and special senses to the brain. When there is injury to a single nerve, it is called a mononeuropathy, as seen in carpal tunnel syndrome, a disorder where the median nerve is compressed by a tendon at the wrist. When it occurs to multiple nerves, it is called polyneuropathy. Nerve diseases can be classified as “demyelinating” when they affect the protective layer covering the nerve fibers and help them conduct impulses more quickly, or “axonal” when they involve the nerve fibers (axons) themselves. The damage can also be specific to motor nerves that control the muscles, sensory nerves, or autonomic nerves.
There are many causes for neuropathy including metabolic conditions like diabetes, autoimmune diseases, toxins, vitamin deficiencies, and inherited genetic disorders like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Diabetes is one of the most common causes of neuropathy and usually causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the feet. There are a number of medications, particularly cancer chemotherapy, which can also cause neuropathy.
Medications for neuropathy can help with symptoms such as burning and pain associated with neuropathy. Treating the cause of neuropathy, such as improving control of blood sugar for diabetic neuropathy, stopping toxic exposures, or vitamin supplements for vitamin-deficient neuropathies can help prevent further nerve damage. Autoimmune neuropathies may require immune therapy with medications such as infusions.