When the peripheral nerves are damaged, it may cause unusual irritation to occur throughout the body. However, the type of irritation can vary significantly from person to person. 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 the particular nerve that has been damaged.

Polyneuropathy is the most common type of peripheral neuropathy. It involves damage to multiple nerves. In many cases, polyneuropathy initially affects nerves most distant from the brain and spinal cord (e.g., in the arms or legs) before working its way toward the center of the body. Most symptoms affect both sides of the body.

Symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy include:

• A burning, prickling or tingling sensation (paresthesia)
• Weakness
• Numbness
• Discomfort or pain
• Muscle twitching or cramping
• Sensitivity to touch
• Dizziness
• Incoordination or clumsiness
• Sexual dysfunction
• Inability to digest food easily
• Nausea, vomiting
• Abnormal sweating and heat intolerance
• Blurred vision

Symptoms may be mild at first but become more severe over time. Less often, symptoms may occur suddenly and start out as severe.

Severe symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include:

• Severe pain
• Fluctuations in blood pressure
• Organ and/or gland dysfunction
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Muscle wasting (atrophy)
• Paralysis
• Difficulty detecting pain and other sensations