Peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which damage to nerves prevents the peripheral nervous system (PNS) from effectively communicating messages between the brain and rest of the body. It may develop from birth or later in life as the result of an inherited condition. It may also occur due to disease, injury or other factors. In practical usage, the term “peripheral neuropathy” is used interchangeably with the term “neuropathy,” which indicates any type of nerve damage.

Many types of peripheral neuropathy have been identified. Each has its own symptoms and prognosis, which are dependent on the type of nerves that are affected. Some types of peripheral neuropathy occur suddenly and progress rapidly, while others develop more slowly.

Examples of various types of peripheral neuropathy include:

• Diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy that occurs as a result of damaged caused by high levels of blood sugar.
  
  
• Guillain-Barré syndrome. Condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves of the PNS.
  
  
• Autonomic neuropathy. Autonomic neuropathy is a collection of symptoms that occurs as a result of damage to the nerves of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
  
  
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Group of disorders resulting in flaws in the genes that manufacture neurons or the myelin sheath.
  
  
• Trigeminal neuralgia. Also known as tic douloureux, it involves damage to a large nerve of the head and face, resulting in shooting pain.

When the peripheral nerves are damaged, it causes unusual irritation to occur throughout the body. Each peripheral nerve in the body has a specialized function that involves a specific part of the body, and symptoms that appear are associated with a particular nerve that has been damaged.

Diagnosing peripheral neuropathy can be challenging because symptoms may vary from person to person. In addition, it can be very difficult to determine exactly what type of neuropathy a patient has. Various tests may be performed to pinpoint the cause of a patient’s peripheral neuropathy.

Acquired neuropathies (i.e., those that are not caused by an inherited condition) are usually best treated by addressing the underlying condition causing the nerve damage. There is no treatment for most inherited neuropathies. Medications, surgery and various types of therapy may be helpful in relieving symptoms (e.g., pain or weakness) that are associated with most types of neuropathy.