Peripheral nerve disorders

6-minute read

Key facts

Peripheral nerves include the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord such as nerves of the face, arms and legs.
Peripheral nerves use electrical signals to communicate between the brain and muscles, skin and internal organs.
When damaged, peripheral nerves can't communicate properly and you may have symptoms including pain, weakness, muscle twitching, numbness or a burning sensation.
There are many different medical conditions that can cause peripheral nerve disorders.
Peripheral nerve disorders are treated differently, depending on the specific cause of the peripheral nerve disorder.

What are peripheral nerve disorders?

The peripheral nerves include the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord such as nerves of your face, arms, legs and torso. These peripheral nerves use electrical signals to communicate between your brain, muscles, skin and internal organs.

When damaged, peripheral nerves can't communicate properly. There are many diseases that can damage your peripheral nerves.

What are the symptoms of peripheral nerve disorders?

If you have peripheral nerve damage, you may experience symptoms including:

pain
muscle problems, including weakness, cramps or twitching
sensory changes, including tingling, numbness, burning, sharp pain or shock
sensitivity to touch
low blood pressure

Depending on which nerves are affected, you might also experience bowel changes (such as diarrhoea or constipation), intolerance to heat and other changes in your blood pressure that can make you feel light-headed.

What causes peripheral nerve disorders?

There are a number of different medical conditions that cause peripheral nerve disorders.

Examples include:

diseases of the endocrine (hormone) system, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism (low thyroid function)
diseases that are caused by a virus, like Guillain-Barre syndrome
conditions that compress nerves, like carpal tunnel syndrome
autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
infections including viruses such as shingles, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and HIV
kidney dysfunction where large amounts of toxins (harmful substances) build up in the body and damage the peripheral nerves
cancers that put pressure on surrounding nerves, or tumours that arise directly from nerve tissue

Different medicines and substances can also cause peripheral nerve disorders. Examples include:

chemotherapy for cancer
exposure to toxins including some medicines, industrial toxins (lead, mercury, arsenic), and heavy alcohol consumption

Peripheral nerves can also be damaged by physical injury including:

trauma (such as an accident)
damage during surgery
repetitive stress

Some people are born with peripheral nerve disorders.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see you doctor if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of peripheral nerve disorders.

How are peripheral nerve disorders diagnosed?

To diagnose a peripheral nerve disorder your doctor will talk to you and ask questions about your symptoms and your medical history. They will then examine you. Your doctor may recommend further testing like blood tests or nerve conduction studies (which check how your nerves are working). They may refer you to a neurologist (a doctor who specialises in nerve problems).

How are peripheral nerve disorders treated?

Peripheral nerve disorders are treated differently, depending on what the cause of the peripheral nerve disorder is.
Here are some examples:

If it is caused by diabetes, then you doctor will give you medicines to control your blood sugar level.
If the cause is carpal tunnel syndrome, you may need a splint or surgery.
If it is caused by exposure to a toxin, stopping your exposure to the toxin can help.

Can peripheral nerve disorders be prevented?

Some peripheral nerve disorders can be prevented, depending on what the cause is. For example, diabetes related peripheral nerve disorders can be prevented by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Drinking too much alcohol can cause a peripheral nerve disorder, so avoiding too much alcohol can prevent it from developing. Other causes of peripheral nerve disorders like autoimmune disorders can't be prevented.

Complications of peripheral nerve disorders

Peripheral nerve disorders can cause ongoing pain and discomfort. They can put you at increased risk of scalds and cuts because of numbness.

If you have a peripheral nerve disorder, you are at risk of not noticing minor injuries which can become serious if not treated. You may also have difficulty walking and an increased risk of falls. You may also experience poor sleep because of pain.