How did I get nerve damage?

Peripheral nerves can be damaged in several ways: Injury from an accident, a fall or sports, which can stretch, compress, crush or cut nerves. Medical conditions, such as diabetes, Guillain-Barre syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. Autoimmune diseases including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome.

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Can you get nerve damage for no reason?

Conditions That Cause Nerve Pain

Many conditions -- such as diabetes, shingles, and cancer -- may cause injury and nerve pain. Some people develop nerve pain for no known reason. It is important to try to find the underlying cause of your nerve pain, such as uncontrolled diabetes, and seek appropriate treatment for it.

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How do you know if you have damaged nerve damage?

The signs of nerve damage

Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. Feeling like you're wearing a tight glove or sock. Muscle weakness, especially in your arms or legs. Regularly dropping objects that you're holding.

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Do damaged nerves ever heal?

Nerves recover slowly, and maximal recovery may take many months or several years. You'll need regular checkups to make sure your recovery stays on track. If your injury is caused by a medical condition, your doctor will treat the underlying condition.

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Is nerve damage serious?

A nerve injury can affect the brain's ability to communicate with muscles and organs. Damage to the peripheral nerves is called peripheral neuropathy. It's important to get medical care for a peripheral nerve injury as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent complications and permanent damage.

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How do I know if I have nerve damage?

31 related questions found

Can stress cause nerve damage?

Chronic stress can lead to neuropathy by damaging the nervous system. When the nervous system is damaged, it can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms. The end result is pain, discomfort, or even worse.

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What is the most common symptom of nerve damage?

10 Signs You May Be Suffering from Nerve Pain
  • Numbness or tingling in feet and hands.
  • Loss of balance and falling.
  • Throbbing and sharp pain.
  • Extreme sensitivity to touch.
  • Dropping things with your hands.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Heavy feeling in arms and legs.
  • Dramatic drop in blood pressure.

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How long do damaged nerves take to heal?

Regeneration time depends on how seriously your nerve was injured and the type of injury that you sustained. If your nerve is bruised or traumatized but is not cut, it should recover over 6-12 weeks. A nerve that is cut will grow at 1mm per day, after about a 4 week period of 'rest' following your injury.

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How do doctors check for nerve damage?

CT or MRI scans can look for herniated disks, pinched (compressed) nerves, tumors or other abnormalities affecting the blood vessels and bones. Nerve function tests. Electromyography (EMG) records electrical activity in your muscles to detect nerve damage.

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Can blood test show nerve damage?

A variety of blood tests may be performed to determine the cause of nerve damage. These tests may look for high blood glucose levels, diabetes onset, vitamin deficiencies, etc.

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Does an MRI show nerve damage?

Does an MRI scan show nerve damage? A neurological examination can diagnose nerve damage, but an MRI scan can pinpoint it. It's crucial to get tested if symptoms worsen to avoid any permanent nerve damage.

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What does nerve damage feel like?

Nerve pain often feels like a shooting, stabbing or burning sensation. Sometimes it can be as sharp and sudden as an electric shock. People with neuropathic pain are often very sensitive to touch or cold and can experience pain as a result of stimuli that would not normally be painful, such as brushing the skin.

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Do damaged nerves get worse?

The outlook for peripheral neuropathy varies, depending on the underlying cause and which nerves have been damaged. Some cases may improve with time if the underlying cause is treated, whereas in some people the damage may be permanent or may get gradually worse with time.

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Is nerve damage temporary?

Some nerve injuries can get better without help, but some injuries need to be repaired. Mild injuries to the nerve: The nerve can repair itself, either within minutes or after a number of weeks. During this time, messages between the brain and body can be altered.

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What conditions cause nerve problems?

Health conditions
  • excessive alcohol drinking for years.
  • low levels of vitamin B12 or other vitamins.
  • physical damage to the nerves, such as from an injury or during surgery.
  • an underactive thyroid gland.
  • certain infections, such as shingles, Lyme disease, diphtheria, botulism and HIV.
  • inflammation of the blood vessels.

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What vitamin is good for nerve pain?

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) provides your nerves with energy to function, while vitamin B6 relieves nerve pain and transmits nerve impulses correctly. Vitamin B12 regenerates the nerves, protecting them from damage. A deficiency in vitamins B12 or B1 may be partly responsible for your nerve pain.

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Can anxiety trigger nerve pain?

Nerve pain - Anxiety can also cause the development of nerve-related pains. The pains are both real and psychological. Known as "psychogenic pain," the brain essentially activates pain sensors as a result of anxiety and stress.

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Can nerve damage affect mental health?

Patients with persistent neuropathic pain experience work disability and activity limitation, with a substantial impact on their social functioning. As any chronic pain state comorbid depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance are common occurring in up to one half of those with painful neuropathy.

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Is nerve damage life long?

In many instances, nerve damage cannot be cured entirely. But there are various treatments that can reduce your symptoms. Because nerve damage is often progressive, it is important to consult with a doctor when you first notice symptoms. That way you can reduce the likelihood of permanent damage.

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Can you live long with nerve damage?

Some nerve-related problems do not interfere with daily life. Others get worse quickly and may lead to long-term, severe symptoms and problems. When a medical condition can be found and treated, your outlook may be excellent. But sometimes, nerve damage can be permanent, even if the cause is treated.

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What happens if you don't fix nerve damage?

Nerve damage can become permanent

At first, neuropathy may cause occasional numbness and pain, but as it progresses, your symptoms may become more persistent. The pain may reach a high point before reaching a state of constant numbness. Once your nerves become too damaged, they can't send signals to your brain.

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Is heat good for nerve pain?

Nerve Pain

It's best to use cold when the pain is still sharp and move on to heat once that sharpness has subsided. The heat will increase blood flow and help tissues heal faster.

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Is nerve damage reversible?

Whether or not neuropathy can be reversed depends on the cause of the nerve damage. In some cases, the pain may go away entirely. In others, nerve damage may be permanent. For example, when neuropathy is caused by an infection, symptoms might go away completely when the infection is treated.

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How do neurologists treat nerve pain?

Multimodal therapy (including medicines, physical therapy, psychological counseling and sometimes surgery) is usually required to treat neuropathic pain. Medicines commonly prescribed for neuropathic pain include anti-seizure drugs such as: Gabapentin (Neurontin®). Pregabalin (Lyrica®).

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What exam shows nerve damage?

A nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test — also called a nerve conduction study (NCS) — measures how fast an electrical impulse moves through your nerve. NCV can identify nerve damage. During the test, your nerve is stimulated, usually with electrode patches attached to your skin.

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