What Are the Common Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy presents with a variety of symptoms that depend on which nerves are affected sensory, motor, or autonomic. Sensory nerve damage often causes numbness, tingling, or a "pins and needles" sensation, usually beginning in the feet and hands. Patients may also experience burning, sharp, or stabbing pain, and heightened sensitivity to touch or temperature changes. As symptoms progress, a loss of sensation can occur, which may impair balance and increase the risk of injury.
Motor nerve involvement can lead to muscle weakness, cramps, twitching, or difficulty performing tasks that require fine motor skills, such as buttoning clothes or writing. Autonomic nerve damage may cause symptoms like dizziness upon standing due to blood pressure changes, abnormal sweating, digestive disturbances, or changes in heart rate. These symptoms often develop gradually and may worsen over time, affecting daily functioning and quality of life. Early recognition of these signs is essential for prompt evaluation and management.
