Definition

Painful neuropathy is a neurological disorder where people experience chronic pain due to nerve damage. Nerves connect the spinal cord to the body and help the brain communicate with skin, muscles, and internal organs.

Causes

Painful neuropathies are caused by damage to the nerves. This damage may be a result of:

• Diabetes
• Nutritional imbalances
• Alcoholism
• Toxins
• Chemotherapy
• Infections
• Autoimmunity
• Illnesses, such as kidney failure or cancer
• Trauma of the nerves

Symptoms

Although there are many different causes of painful neuropathies, they have common symptoms, such as:

• Stabbing or sharp pain
• Burning
• Numbness
• Pain from activities that are normally painless (such as being touched with a feather)

These symptoms most often appear in the hands or feet.

Diagnosis

Because painful neuropathy can occur due to several types of diseases, diagnosis differs from case to case.

Next: Treatment Options