Definition
Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to your peripheral nerves which result in weakness, numbness and pain in your hands and feet. It can also affect other areas of your body.
Causes
Causes of neuropathies include:
- Alcoholism.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Diabetes.
- Exposure to poisons.
- Medications, especially those used to treat cancer (chemotherapy).
- Infections.
- Inherited disorders.
- Trauma or pressure on the nerve.
- Tumors.
- Vitamin deficiencies.
- Bone marrow disorders.
- Other diseases like kidney disease, liver disease, connective tissue disorders and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
However, no cause can be identified (idiopathic) in some cases.
