Causes | The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy

Alcohol

Alcohol can have a toxic effect on nerve tissue, and alcohol abuse is one of the most frequent causes of neuropathy. According to studies, it is estimated that as many as 66% of individuals with chronic alcohol abuse may suffer from alcoholic polyneuropathy.

Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when the body produces a protein called amyloid that can build up in various organs of the body.

Anti-MAG

Anti-MAG peripheral neuropathy (Immunoglobulin M(IgM) Anti-Myelin Associated Glycoprotein Peripheral Neuropathy) is a rare autoimmune variety of peripheral neuropathy. In this type of PN, a person’s own immune system attacks cells that are specific in maintaining a healthy peripheral nervous system.

Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune disease, in which your immune system attacks and damages parts of your body, including your nerves.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease, or gluten sensitivity, is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that damages the villi – the small, finger-like projections that line the small intestine.

Chemo-Induced PN

Neuropathy is a common side effect of certain medications, especially those used to treat cancer.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a neurological disorder characterized by slowly progressive weakness and a loss of sensation in the legs and arms.

COVID-19

Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, many questions have arisen surrounding the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and peripheral neuropathy.

Cryoglobulinemia

There are several different types of cryoglobulins; each type is associated with different diseases and disorders, which may include cancer involving white blood cells, infections, autoimmune disorders, rheumatic diseases, vasculitis, kidney disease, hepatitis C virus infection, and peripheral neuropathy.

Diabetes

Diabetic neuropathy is the most common type of peripheral neuropathy. In some cases, Diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathy.

Drug-Induced PN

Neuropathy is a common side effect of certain medications, especially those used to treat HIV/AIDS and those used in chemotherapy, to fight cancer.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare inflammatory disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the protective covering of the peripheral nerves.

Hepatitis

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease in the United States. In some cases, hepatitis C patients will develop peripheral neuropathy.

Hereditary Neuropathy Disorders

Hereditary neuropathies are frequently known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, however there are many different types of syndromes and classifications. There are also different tests available to help with diagnosing these.

Herpes Zoster

Herpes zoster, commonly called shingles, is an infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Some patients with shingles may develop postherpetic neuralgia, a condition in which the pain from shingles continues months or years after the rash has faded.

HIV/AIDS

For patients with HIV/AIDS, peripheral neuropathy can by caused by the virus itself, by certain drugs used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS or other complications, or as a result of opportunistic infections.

HNPP

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is a relatively common, though under-diagnosed, hereditary disorder in which a fairly mild pressure or trauma to a single nerve results in episodes or periods of numbness and weakness, similar to an arm or leg going to sleep.

Idiopathic Neuropathy

Sometimes peripheral neuropathy seems to happen for no particular reason.

Inflammatory Neuropathy

Inflammatory neuropathies are typically caused by infections or autoimmune diseases such as Covid-19, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, Lyme disease and more.

Kidney Failure

Kidney disease can lead to uremic neuropathy, which progresses slowly, affecting 50%-100% of people experiencing kidney disease.

Leprosy

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is rarely seen in the United States, but it is common in developing countries and is one of the leading causes of peripheral neuropathy worldwide.

Lupus

Lupus is a broad term for several autoimmune disorders that weaken the body’s immune system by producing antibodies that attack healthy cells, tissues and organs.

Lyme Disease Neuropathy

Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease that rapidly progresses. Transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick, Lyme disease is most common in the Northeast section of the United States.

Multifocal Motor Neuropathy

Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) is a rare condition in which multiple motor nerves are attacked by one’s immune system.

Nutritional and Vitamin Deficiency Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy may occur as a result of malnutrition, for which there are many causes including poor nutrition caused by an unbalanced diet and/or alcoholism. Additionally, a clear link has been established between a lack of vitamin B12 and peripheral neuropathy.

Physical Injury and Trauma

Peripheral nerve injuries can cause disabilities and thereby a decline in the patient’s quality of life. We typically divide them into compression injury or crush and transection injury.

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POEMS

POEMS syndrome is a rare multisystem disorder caused by the improper growth of bone marrow cells, resulting in an abnormal accumulation of proteins (immunoglobulin) in tissues and organs

Polyarteritis Nodosa

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a type of vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels). It occurs when the small and medium-sized arteries in your body become inflamed.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that is characterized by inflammation, pain, and loss of function in the joints.

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that usually involves the lungs, but may affect any organ in the body.

Sjögren’s Syndrome

It is estimated that one to four million people in America suffer from Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own healthy moisture-producing glands

Small Fiber Neuropathy

Small Fiber Neuropathy affects the small sensory nerves and autonomic fibers.

Toxic Neuropathy

Industrial chemicals and drug and chemical abuse can lead to toxic neuropathy. Alcohol, lead, ethanol and certain herbs used in Eastern medicine can lead to peripheral neuropathy.

Vasculitis

Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessel system, which includes the veins, arteries, and capillaries.

Common causes of peripheral neuropathy