What is the most common symptom of nerve damage?

The most common symptoms of nerve damage (neuropathy) are numbness, tingling (pins-and-needles), and pain, often starting in the hands and feet, which can feel sharp, burning, or stabbing. These sensations occur because nerves can't properly send signals, leading to loss of feeling or abnormal pain signals, alongside muscle weakness and coordination issues.

What is the number one cause of nerve damage?

One of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes. People with peripheral neuropathy usually describe the pain as stabbing, burning or tingling. Sometimes symptoms get better, especially if caused by a condition that can be treated. Medicines can reduce the pain of peripheral neuropathy.

Can neuropathy cause diarrhea?

Yes, neuropathy, especially autonomic neuropathy, can absolutely cause diarrhea, often alternating with constipation, because nerve damage disrupts the signals controlling the digestive tract, leading to issues like poor gut motility, bloating, nausea, and uncontrolled bowel movements, frequently occurring at night. This nerve damage (neuropathy) can stem from conditions like diabetes, affecting nerves in your stomach, intestines, and bowels.
 

Can neuropathy cause swelling?

Yes, neuropathy can indirectly cause swelling (edema) in the feet and legs by impairing muscle function, leading to poor circulation, or due to inflammation from nerve damage, though swelling isn't a primary symptom itself but a secondary effect of underlying issues like diabetes or nerve entrapment, affecting fluid buildup. Nerve damage can slow the muscle pump, causing fluid to pool, and reduced movement from pain or numbness further contributes, while underlying conditions often linked to neuropathy, such as heart or kidney issues, also directly cause swelling.
 

Can a pinched nerve cause sweating?

Yes, a pinched nerve can absolutely cause sweating, often excessive or abnormal sweating (hyperhidrosis), because it affects the autonomic nerves that control involuntary functions like sweating, leading to imbalances, or sometimes causes nerve misfirings that trigger sweat glands, especially in conditions like autonomic neuropathy from diabetes or even spinal issues. This can manifest as sweating too much, too little, or in strange patterns, sometimes alongside other nerve symptoms like pain, tingling, or digestive issues. 

Warning Signs of Peripheral Neuropathy?

Can a pinched nerve cause extreme fatigue?

In some cases, pinched nerves can cause fatigue as the muscles in the affected areas may feel heavy when in use. The muscle pain, as well as muscle tightness, can also drain your energy and lead to tiredness.

What neurological conditions cause excessive sweating?

Neurological disorders causing excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) often involve the autonomic nervous system, including conditions like Parkinson's disease, stroke, spinal cord injuries, autonomic neuropathy, and Multiple Sclerosis, leading to overactive sympathetic nerves, while rare neuromuscular issues like Isaacs' syndrome can also cause it, resulting in generalized or nighttime sweating due to central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. 

What diseases start with tingling in hands and feet?

Tingling in the hands and feet, known as peripheral neuropathy, often signals underlying conditions like diabetes, nutritional deficiencies (especially B vitamins), autoimmune diseases (lupus, MS, rheumatoid arthritis), infections (Lyme disease, shingles, HIV), or nerve compression (carpal tunnel). Serious causes can include kidney disease, thyroid issues, alcohol abuse, certain medications, and even tumors, so seeing a doctor to find the specific cause is crucial. 

What triggers neuropathy to flare up?

Neuropathy flare-ups are triggered by poor blood sugar control, stress, cold/heat, physical inactivity, certain medications, alcohol, infections, and autoimmune issues, causing increased pain, numbness, or burning, often worsened at night, and can be managed by controlling underlying conditions, diet, and lifestyle changes like staying warm and active. 

Is neuropathy considered a disability?

Yes, neuropathy can be considered a disability, especially for Social Security purposes, but it depends entirely on its severity and how much it prevents you from working, requiring strong medical evidence like EMG/MRI results showing severe motor/sensory loss or extreme limitations in daily activities. While listed in the SSA's Blue Book, you must meet specific criteria for "peripheral neuropathy" (Listing 11.14) with significant impact on two extremities or have a severe mental/physical limitation, or else prove it prevents any work through a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment.
 

What nerve affects your bowel movements?

Bowel movement control involves a complex network, primarily the sacral nerves (S2-S4) for sphincter control and reflexes, the enteric nervous system (ENS) for gut motility (peristalsis), and the vagus nerve, which connects the brain to the gut. The pudendal nerve, from the sacral plexus, controls voluntary relaxation of the external anal sphincter for defecation, while parasympathetic nerves (pelvic splanchnic) stimulate contractions and sympathetic nerves (hypogastric) inhibit them, all coordinated with the brain.
 

Can neuropathy mess with your stomach?

Yes, neuropathy, especially autonomic neuropathy, significantly affects the stomach and digestive system, causing issues like slow emptying (gastroparesis), bloating, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, and feeling full quickly, as nerve damage disrupts signals between the brain and gut. This nerve damage impacts motility and muscle function in the stomach and intestines, leading to various uncomfortable digestive symptoms.
 

At what A1C do you get neuropathy?

High A1C levels, especially above 7% for extended periods, significantly increase the risk of diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) by starving nerves of nutrients, but paradoxically, a rapid A1C drop (over 2% in 3 months) can also trigger acute, painful neuropathy (TIND), highlighting the need for gradual, controlled management. 

What illnesses are caused by nerve damage?

Central nervous system disorders like stroke, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis (MS). Complex regional pain syndrome. Shingles.

What can be mistaken for nerve damage?

Diabetes, chronic alcohol use, certain medications, and autoimmune disorders are common contributors. Additionally, repetitive strain, vitamin deficiencies (particularly B12), and poor circulation can mimic neuropathic pain.

Is neuropathy a form of arthritis?

No, neuropathy isn't a type of arthritis; they are different conditions (nerve damage vs. joint inflammation). However, they are closely linked: arthritis can cause neuropathy (nerve pain/damage) due to inflammation or compression, and a specific type, neuropathic arthritis (Charcot's joint), involves both nerve damage and joint destruction, often from diabetes or injury.
 

Why did I suddenly get neuropathy?

Sudden neuropathy, or nerve damage, can stem from acute issues like trauma/injury (falls, pressure), certain infections (shingles, Lyme), some medications, autoimmune flares (Guillain-Barré), exposure to toxins, or metabolic crises, often occurring when a nerve is compressed or injured, leading to rapid onset of symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness, requiring prompt medical diagnosis to identify the trigger and prevent further damage.
 

What common household item is linked to neuropathy?

Yes, certain household items contain chemicals like quaternary ammonium compounds (in disinfectants, softeners), organophosphate flame retardants (furniture, electronics), phthalates, parabens, and heavy metals (mercury in some creams) that are linked to neuropathy or damage protective nerve cells (oligodendrocytes), causing symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, or loss of function, especially with chronic exposure.
 

What kind of doctor treats neuropathy in the feet?

For foot neuropathy, start with your primary doctor, but you'll likely see a Podiatrist (foot & ankle specialist) for direct foot care, a Neurologist (nerve specialist) for nerve diagnosis, or an Endocrinologist (diabetes specialist) if diabetes is the cause, as they coordinate to manage pain, underlying conditions, and nerve health.
 

What cancers cause tingling in hands and feet?

Rarely, in some cancers, the body may make substances that damage the peripheral nerves. This is called paraneoplastic syndrome. It may happen in people with lung cancer, myeloma or lymphoma.

What are the red flags for peripheral neuropathy?

The main symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can include: numbness and tingling in the feet or hands. burning, stabbing or shooting pain in affected areas. loss of balance and co-ordination.

Where does MS numbness usually start?

Numbness and other sensory symptoms tend to come and go for most people and usually carry a good prognosis for not becoming permanent. Often, the change in sensation occurs only along a patch of skin or in specific areas, such as one or both hands, arms, or legs.

What is your body telling you when you sweat a lot?

Certain problems such as diabetes, heart failure, anxiety, and overactive thyroid can cause heavy sweating. And some drugs may cause heavy sweating as a side effect.

What is neuro sweat?

Nervous sweat

Your body releases adrenaline and cortisol – hormones related to stress. Your heart may start pounding. Those hormones send a message to the eccrine glands and also to the apocrine glands, which are a second set of sweat glands. Apocrine glands are located mostly in your armpits and your groin.