What causes peripheral neuropathy?

There are many causes of peripheral neuropathy, inherited and acquired. Inherited neuropathies are due to inborn defects in the genetic code and are collectively known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease.

Causes of acquired peripheral neuropathy include:

• Physical injury to the nerve. This can be from trauma such as fractures or from acute compression such as 'Saturday night palsy'. Peripheral nerves are also prone to chronic compression at certain anatomic sites. This is known as entrapment neuropathy. A common example is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In this condition, the median nerve gets compressed as it passes through a narrow passageway in the wrist (carpal tunnel).

• Metabolic Neuropathy, e.g. diabetes mellitus and renal failure.

• Nutritional Neuropathy, e.g. vitamin B12 deficiency and chronic alcohol abuse.

• Autoimmune disorders, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis.

• Infections, e.g. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and leprosy

• Immune mediated neuropathy. This is due to nerve inflammation from an abnormal immune reaction, e.g. Guillain Barre syndrome
  

• Toxins and drugs, e.g. heavy metals like lead and drugs like Cisplatin