Anywhere in your body that has nerves, Peripheral nerve damage can harm them. Additionally, it can interfere with your body’s ability to regulate autonomic functions, touch, and muscular contraction.
Moreover, the term “peripheral nerve damage” describes any illness that affects the nerves that are not part of your brain or spinal cord. This can occur for several causes, including genetic disorders, infections, and trauma. Furthermore, there are several potential symptoms as well. Additionally, treatment options for this condition’s many forms, causes, or symptoms might vary greatly from person to person.
What Is Peripheral Nerve Damage?
An umbrella term for nerve diseases affecting specific subdivisions of the nervous system. Can cause a wide range of symptoms and affect different body parts. Originates from the Greek words “peripheral,” meaning ” and “pathos” meaning “affliction” or “condition.” Between “neuropathy” and “polyneuropathy,” medical professionals frequently use the terminology interchangeably. Peripheral nerves are farthest from the central nervous system, often showing the earliest and most severe effects.
Peripheral Nerve Injury Classification
Sunderland Classification System for Peripheral Nerve Injury
First Degree:
- Reversible local conduction block at the injury site.
- Recovers within hours to weeks.
Second Degree:
- Loss of continuity of axons within the nerve.
- Pre-operative nerve testing usually confirms injury.
Third Degree:
- Damage to axons and supporting structures.
- Recovery is difficult to predict.
- Need for simple nerve cleaning or extensive repair with grafting.
Fourth Degree:
- Damage to axons and surrounding tissues.
- Scarring prevents nerve regeneration.
- Electrical testing confirms no electrical energy can pass along neural pathways.
Fifth Degree:
- Moreover, usually found in lacerations or severe stretch injuries.
- Only repairable through surgery.
What Signs Of Peripheral Nerve Damage Are Present?
Peripheral nerve damage affects a single nerve or multiple nerves in various body parts. Symptoms include motor, sensory, and pain. Additionally, Motor symptoms involve muscle weakness and paralysis, muscle atrophy, and uncontrolled muscle movements.
- Motor Symptoms
Moreover, motor symptoms include difficulty moving the toes, foot drop, and hand weakness. Sensory symptoms involve muscle weakness in the thighs, arms, and elsewhere. Autonomic symptoms include nerves becoming hyperactive on their own, causing cramps. The condition can affect a single nerve or multiple nerves in multiple locations, affecting the overall health and functioning of the body.
- Sensory Symptoms
However, peripheral nerve damage is a condition where nerves in the peripheral nervous system fail to transmit sensory signals to the brain, disrupting the ability of the senses to communicate with the brain. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, imbalance, and clumsiness. Tingling occurs when nerves can’t send or relay sensory signals, causing loss of sensations like texture or temperature. Numbness occurs when nerves can’t send or relay sensory signals, causing loss of balance and coordination. Pain, a common symptom, can result from nerve damage, making pain more intense or easier to experience.
- Autonomic Symptoms
Peripheral nerve damage is a condition where the body’s autonomic processes, such as sweating, digestion, and blood pressure control, are disrupted. This can lead to changes in blood pressure, excessive sweating, bowel and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, and other symptoms such as skin color changes, swelling, eye pupil changes, and blurry vision. Damage to peripheral nerves can cause sudden drops in blood pressure, increased heart rate, and sexual dysfunction.
What Causes Peripheral Nerve Damage?
Peripheral nerve damage causes:
Type 2 Diabetes: Unmanaged type 2 diabetes can cause nerve damage, causing loss of sensation in the feet and lower legs.
Alcohol Use Disorder: Excessive alcohol intake can damage nerves and contribute to vitamin deficiencies.
Vitamin and Nutrient Deficits: Deficits in copper, vitamins B1, B6, B9, B12, folic acid (B9), and E can cause nerve damage.
Medications and Toxins: Moreover, chemotherapy, certain antibiotics, and exposure to heavy metals and industrial chemicals can cause Peripheral nerve damage.
Tumours: Malignant and benign tumours can disrupt the peripheral nervous system.
Infections: Nerve damage from viruses or bacteria can cause Lyme disease or shingles.
Trauma and Surgery: Injuries and nerve damage can occur from trauma or medical procedures.
Idiopathic Neuropathy: Commonly caused by unknown reasons, known as “idiopathic” or “cryptogenic.”
Which Examinations Will Be Performed To Identify Peripheral nerve damage?
Peripheral nerve damage is most frequently tested for the following disorders, either to confirm the diagnosis or rule them out:
Blood tests: They can identify a wide range of issues, including poisons and toxins, particularly metals like lead or mercury, as well as immune system issues.
EMG:
- Ultrasonography of the nerves.
- Nerve biopsy.
- Genetic examination.
- MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging.
Is There A Cure For Peripheral Nerve Damage And How Is It Treated?
Peripheral Nerve Damage Treatment Overview
Medications: Involves various forms like injections, pills, patches, and slow-release medication.
Surgery: Helps reconnect cut nerves and relieve pain. It can also sever or remove damaged nerves.
Devices and Wearable Equipment: Furthermore, includes medical devices like braces, canes, walkers, and prescribed footwear.
Other Pain Treatments: Includes acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, injections, or surgery to implant a spinal cord stimulator.
How Can I Lower Or Completely Avoid The Risk Of Acquiring Peripheral Nerve Damage?
Preventing Peripheral nerve damage
Maintaining a balanced diet: Vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamin B12 deficiency, can cause peripheral neuropathy.
Maintaining physical activity and healthy weight: Regular exercise and weight management can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Managing chronic conditions: Following healthcare provider’s recommendations can limit the effects of chronic conditions and delay their worsening.
Avoiding excessive alcohol: Moderation and avoidance of alcohol can reduce the risk of neuropathy.
Avoiding exposures to toxins, poisons, and heavy metals: Follow safety regulations and use protective gear when working around toxic metals and chemicals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, peripheral nerve damage, a condition resulting from damage to nerve groups, can be caused by injury, systemic illness, or medications. Treatment can delay its onset or prevent worsening. Self-care strategies like daily planning and taking help from swift rehab can help manage the condition and improve daily life.