Earliest Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Affected Nerves

• The nerves affected by peripheral neuropathy are part of the peripheral nervous system, which operates as an extension of the central nervous system. The peripheral nervous system includes sensory nerves that interpret the sense of touch and motor nerves that control muscle movement. It also includes autonomic nerves that control things like bladder function and blood pressure. Peripheral neuropathy most often affects the sensory and motor nerves.
  
  

The Longest Nerves

• The early signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy usually involve the longest nerves that reach into the toes. This often results in sharp, jabbing pain that feels like an electrical shock in the toes and feet or a strange burning pain. These symptoms can also affect the hands and fingers.
  
  

Numbness and Tingling

• Peripheral neuropathy usually begins with tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, the type of sensation you feel when your hand or arm has "fallen asleep." The tingling and numbness can come and go for a period of months or even years.
  
  

Lack of Coordination

• If motor nerves are affected by neuropathy, early symptoms may be a lack of coordination or muscle weakness and fatigue in the arms and legs. The lack of coordination may also be caused by numbness in the soles of the feet that is only vaguely felt.
  
  

Sensitivity to Cold and Touch

• In addition to numbness and tingling, sensitivity to cold and touch is another classic early symptom of peripheral neuropathy. This results from the damaged nerves sending erratic signals to the brain that do not interpret sensations correctly, which is the primary source of neuropathy.
  
  

Bowel or Bladder Problems

• If autonomic nerves are affected, early symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include bowel or bladder problems that include loss of control. These symptoms are relatively rare because peripheral neuropathy usually affects the sensory and motor nerves.