Neuropathy—pain caused by nerve damage—is usually classified in 1 or more of these 4 categories:
- Sensory neuropathy. Damage to nerves that control what you feel, including pain, temperature, and touch.
- Motor neuropathy. Damage to nerves which control muscles and movement.
- Autonomic nerve neuropathy. Damage to nerves that control the involuntary functions of the body (breathing, heartbeat, digestion, etc.).
- Combination neuropathies. A mix of 2 or 3 neuropathies.
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of neuropathy. It falls under the “combination neuropathies” heading, because the peripheral nervous system includes sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves.
Because there are over 100 types of peripheral neuropathies, the most common symptoms can include:
- Gradual onset of numbness, prickling, or tingling in your feet or hands
- Sharp pain that’s jabbing, throbbing, or burning
- Painful oversensitivity to touch
- Pain during usually painless effort
- Constant feeling like you’re wearing gloves/socks
- Muscle weakness, especially in the feet
- Stumbling, falling, and/or loss of coordination
- Inability to move (motor nerve issue)
- Heat hypersensitivity
- Hyperhidrosis (sweat gland malfunction causing excessive sweating)
- Anhidrosis (sweat gland malfunction causing inability to sweat)
- Digestive and eliminatory issues
- Sudden drops in blood pressure