What is Neuropathy?

Our team at Complete Rehab specializes in working with neuropathy patients, helping them find relief from their symptoms. One thing we’ve noticed over the years is that many people are unfamiliar with neuropathy and don’t know to seek treatment for its symptoms or even what those symptoms are. In this article, we will provide an overview of what neuropathy is and how it affects the body, so you can make better choices when it comes to your care.

What is Neuropathy?

What is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy refers a cluster of conditions and symptoms caused by nerve damage. The nerve damage itself can be the result of many different causes, such as diabetes, injuries, and more, and the way that the damage affects you will also vary depending on the specific nerves that were affected.

How Many Types of Neuropathy are There?

Experts recognize four types of neuropathy: peripheral, proximal, and autonomic neuropathy, and mononeuropathy.

  • Peripheral neuropathy affects the feet and hands, gradually spreading up the limbs. It is usually characterized by numbness, tingling, or pain.
  • Proximal neuropathy affects specific portions of the body, but most commonly the abdomen (chest, belly, and back), or the lumbar area (lower back, butt, and thighs).
  • Autonomic neuropathy affects the autonomic nerves, which are responsible for all the unconscious process of the body, such as your heartbeat, breath, and digestion.
  • Mononeuropathy gets its name from the fact that it affects individual nerves. If you feel pain in just one specific area, then neuropathy is the most likely culprit.