nerve damage

What Are The Causes of Nerve Damage

Nerve damage can occur due to more than 80 different reasons. And, each reason has different symptoms and requires specific treatment. You might know that the nervous system is the core part of our body that decides our existence. 

Everything is under the supervision of the body’s nervous system, starting from controlling breathing to sensation and muscular movements.  

There are three types of nerves – Autonomic, Motor and Sensory and the level of damage can occur equally in all these three.

Various types of symptoms indicate chances of nerve damage, but the category and extent of nerve damage usually depend on the affected location. 

Moreover, the chances of peripheral nerve damage are quite higher than those in your brain and spinal cord.

The most common symptoms are 

  • Sweating too much or too little
  • Dry eyes and mouth 
  • Lightheadedness
  • Constipation 
  • Dysfunction in the bladder
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Muscle atrophy
  • Sensitivity towards external stimuli
  • Severe pain

In certain situations, you can feel more than one symptom at a time. And, this is an indication that you have a damaged nerve which requires immediate treatment. 

The most common reasons for nerve damage are

Nerve damages are quite hard to detect, and thus, you must not ignore these reasons and opt for a prompt diagnosis.

Nutrition deficiency

Our body requires a well-balanced amount of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates etc. Nutritional deficiency can lead to affecting the internal organs of the body. Primarily, deficiency

of vitamin B6 and B12 can lead to weakness, burning, sensation, and even develop gastric problems.

Infection disease 

Ignoring the infections in their primary stage can affect the nerve cells of your body. The infections that occur due to HIV, Hepatitis C, and Lyme disease have quite a high rate of nerve-damaging tendency.

Diabetes

As the disease advances, people who have diabetes suffer from nerve damage. The most severe complication is diabetic neuropathy which affects all three types of neurons. In the initial stage, it can generate a burning sensation.

Side effects of drug

If you are on a high medication or tend to take drugs deliberately or unintentionally, then there is a high chance of nerve damage. Certain drugs that are used to treat HIV have the potential to cause neural damage. Even alcohol or intake of toxic materials such as arsenic can damage the nerves to a great extent.

Trauma

Any trauma or pressure on the nerve can lead to severe pain, which causes nerve damage if left without treatment. The nerve endings near your neck have a high chance of getting affected. Further, a crash injury has the chance to compress the nerves.

Cancer

Cancer can lead to a nutritional deficiency which later on affects the nervous functions. Further, several types of radiation and chemotherapy are used to treat cancer, which is quite harmful to the nerves.

Autoimmune disease

Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis can attack the nerve cells causing permanent damage. Even inflammatory bowel disease has the possibility to cause severe nerve pain as well as damage.

Bone marrow disorder

If abnormal protein is present in the blood, such as monoclonal gammopathy, bone cancer, or lymphoma can affect peripheral neuropathy. Even though the chances are quite vain, the reasons can’t be put aside.

Treatment for nerve damage

Further, kidney diseases, liver disease, hypothyroidism, and disorder in the connective tissue can also risk damaging the nerves. If the nerve pain becomes unbearable, you must consult with a neurologist. Early diagnosis has the potential to reduce the chances of permanent damage.

At the basic level, tests are done, and nutritional level is checked. Along with that physical therapy, specialists recommend medications such as pain relievers. Even antidepressants, along with anti-anxiety drugs, are also given. At ILS Hospitals, you get the best treatment for nerve damage.