The leading cause of neuropathy in both the United States and the United Kingdom is diabetes. In fact, between 60% and 70% of patients with diabetes will experience some degree of damage to their nerves. In addition to diabetes, there are a number of other health conditions that can lead to peripheral neuropathy. Namely autoimmune diseases, infections, inherited disorders, tumors, bone marrow disorders, and various other diseases. Beyond health conditions, other causes include certain medications, exposure to toxic substances, alcoholism, vitamin deficiencies, and trauma that puts pressure on the nerves. In contrast, idiopathic neuropathy is a condition in which no known cause can be identified. This is a somewhat common condition that occurs in individuals above the age of 60.
Autoimmune diseases that are known to cause peripheral neuropathy include rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, lupus, and vasculitis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term inflammatory disorder that affects the joints, Sjogren’s syndrome is a condition in which the immune system accidentally attacks the glands responsible for making tears and saliva, and CIDP is a neurological disorder that involves inflammation of peripheral nerves and destruction of the myelin sheath. Moreover, Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder in which the immune system attacks the nerves, lupus is a condition in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue, and vasculitis refers to a group of disorders involving inflammation of the blood vessels.
Viral and bacterial infections that can cause neuropathy include shingles, hepatitis B and C, Lyme disease, diphtheria, human immunodeficiency virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and leprosy. Shingles are caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox and results in a painful rash, hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, and Lyme disease is spread by ticks and results in an expanding red rash. Moreover, diphtheria primarily affects the upper airways and throat, HIV attacks the body’s immune system and can lead to AIDS if left untreated, EBV spreads through saliva and can cause mono, and leprosy primarily affects the skin, upper respiratory tract, mucous membrane, and nerves of the extremities.
Bone marrow disorders that may lead to peripheral neuropathy include monoclonal gammopathies, lymphoma, myeloma, and amyloidosis. Monoclonal gammopathies refer to a condition in which abnormal proteins are found in the blood, lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, a myeloma is a form of bone cancer, and amyloidosis is a rare disease in which the abnormal protein amyloid builds up in the organs and affects their ability to function normally. As for inherited disorders, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an example of hereditary neuropathy that damages the peripheral nerves. Other diseases that are known to cause neuropathy include liver disease, hypothyroidism, connective tissue disorders, and kidney disease.
Moving on from health-related causes to other risk factors, medications, poisons, alcohol, vitamin deficiencies, and trauma can all lead to the onset of neuropathy. Medications used to treat cancer, especially chemotherapy, are considered risk factors for neuropathy. The same is true for exposures to poisons such as industrial chemicals and heavy metals, namely mercury and lead. In terms of alcohol, sufferers of alcoholism make poor dietary choices which can lead to vitamin deficiencies. The most common deficiencies associated with neuropathy are vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin E, and niacin. As for trauma, sports injuries and motor vehicle accidents can sever peripheral nerves.