Our nerves that run to our arms and legs are surprisingly easy to harm, whether by everyday chemicals in our workplace or home, side effects of certain medications, or not getting enough vital nutrients like B-vitamins.
Most often, this damage shows up slowly as numbness, tingling, or weakness starting in the toes and fingers and moving inward—but in some cases it can flare up quickly and even look like a serious condition called Guillain–Barré syndrome.
Because nerve damage from toxins or vitamin shortages often comes with other health issues, such as digestive trouble after surgery, heavy alcohol use, or new household chemicals, your doctor will dive deep into your personal history.
They’ll ask about your jobs, hobbies, diet, and any medicines you take to spot possible culprits.
And if your symptoms don’t match the usual “stocking and glove” pattern—for example, if one side is much worse than the other or large bundles of nerves seem affected—they’ll look for other causes, like inherited nerve disorders, to make sure you get the right treatment.
Staff, Nathan P, and Anthony J Windebank. “Peripheral neuropathy due to vitamin deficiency, toxins, and medications.” Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.) vol. 20,5 Peripheral Nervous System Disorders (2014): 1293-306. doi:10.1212/01.CON.0000455880.06675.5a
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