In the upper extremities such an example would be carpal tunnel syndrome. This can be caused by such traumas as excessive use of a computer keyboard for hours on end, and not using the hands properly. Another cause would be repetitive motions as in certain occupations that require the constant use of the hands throughout the entire workday. In this case there are several plexuses that come into affect, such as the Brachial or Ulnar nerves. There is also a nerve behind the knee called the “Peroneal Nerve” that is often affected as well.
Not only can the extremities be affected, but the autonomic nerve system can be affected as well. These are the nerves that control the internal organs-heart, bladder, blood vessels, kidneys, intestines, etc. Diabetes is one of the major causes of chronic nerve pains amongst the majority of cases. This occurs when the body cannot regulate its sugar usage properly. There are also environmental issue that cause nerve pains that can be triggered by toxins and infectious diseases, such as Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium “Borelia burgdorferi” (b.burgdorferi). A particular tick that carries this bacterium causes the disease. The tick picks up the bacteria when it bites mice or deer that are infected with Lyme disease. The tick in turn infects an individual when they attach themselves to the person and bites them. The head of the tick actually burroughs beneath the skin. When an individual has been walking, hiking or even gardening they should take the proper precautions against being bitten by ticks. If a tick is found it has to be removed carefully to make sure the head does not remain under the skin. Vitamin deficiencies are another cause, and are especially related to the B vitamins. Diseases of the thyroid gland, kidneys, as well as cancer and aids can be a cause of neeve pain symptoms.
There are also idiopathic nerve pains due to unknown causes as the term implies. Many of these idiopathic nerve pains very often will remain undiagnosed throughout the individual’s bout with their disease. There is also a form of nerve pain that is fammial. This inherited form is called “Charcot-Marie-Tooth” disease and can appear between the ages of 6 and 30. It affects mainly the legs, as well as the arms causing a severe muscle weakness. This disease attacks the insulating sheaths that surround the nerves, causing a degeneration affecting the nerves, causing them to misfire,and triggering the muscle weakness. An individual with any form of nerve pain should see their healthcare provider; in this case a neurologist would be the specialist of choice. He or she will then try to determine a definitive diagnosis by performing a variety of tests. Some of these tests will include blood and urine testing to determine if there are any vitamin deficiencies. There may also be an electromyography (EMG) test for determining the individuals degree of muscle function. A spinal tap may also be performed if necessary to determine if there are any infectious diseases. If it has been the determined that there has been nerve damage, the progression of this damage may be prevented from progressing further, but the already damaged nerves will not regenerate. Therefore, it is imperative that any individual with symptoms of nerve pains in any part of the body, take the proper steps to prevent further nerve damage.