Neuropathy Causes & Risk Factors
Neuropathy is a disorder of the nervous system that has many causes. Most often, it affects hands and feet, causing weakness, numbness and pain.
Other People Are Reading
-
The Facts
-
According to the Neuropathy Association, approximately 30 percent of neuropathies are considered idiopathic, which means the cause is unknown. Neuropathy can be either inherited or acquired.
Risk Factors
-
Diabetes is one of the most common risk factors for this condition. Other risk factors include alcohol abuse, vitamin deficiencies and autoimmune diseases.
-
Hereditary Causes
-
Some hereditary disorders cause neuropathy. Examples include Friedreich's ataxia and amyloid polyneuropathy.
Infections
-
Infections can cause neuropathy. Examples include Guillain-Barre syndrome, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis and syphilis.
Toxic Causes
-
Exposure to poisonous substances may cause nerve damage. Sniffing glue or exposure to heavy metals such as lead or arsenic are possible toxic causes of neuropathy.
Other Causes
-
Neuropathy is sometimes caused by physical trauma from accidents, sports-related injuries or falls. Other causes include prolonged pressure on a nerve, decreased oxygen and blood flow, compression of a nerve by casts and medication such as chemotherapy.
-
