Short-Circuited Nerves: Peripheral Neuropathy

We have come a long way since 1752 when Ben Franklin conducted his experiment with a kite, a key, and a storm. We’re even far away from 1878 when Thomas Edison invented the incandescent filament light bulb. These men understood electricity and how something very important could communicate through a wire. There are endless signals going back and forth in your body every second of the day. When one of these pathways becomes damaged, the result can be life-changing. Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve condition in which important pathways become damaged. When it occurs in the lower extremity, it can truly change a person’s mobility and quality of life.

When the Signals are Blocked

At the root of this condition is nerve damage. There are a number of reasons this can happen and diabetes is one of the most common conditions associated with neuropathy. Nerves can become impacted when glucose levels are not maintained and remain high for long periods of time. With diabetes, the damage is often concentrated in the legs and feet.

In addition, certain medications, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, kidney and liver problems, exposure to toxins, and infections such as Lyme disease can also contribute to nerve damage. A traumatic injury in sports or an accident of some sort can also lead to this condition. The risk for neuropathy increases if there is a presence of alcohol abuse.

There are several different types of neuropathy—you may experience a direct impact on your ability to control muscle movement or on your ability to feel heat, cold, and pain. In some situations, damaged nerves can affect your heartbeat, bladder function, and blood pressure. In each case, however, the same root problem is present: The nerves have lost their ability to send messages back to the brain and spinal cord. In the lower extremity, this can result in tingling, burning, weakness, numbness, or sensitivity to touch.