Neuropathy is a medical term used to describe an abnormality in the nerves. Equivalent to peripheral neuropathy, this term refers to disorders or damages of the nervous system, particularly the peripheral nervous system which functions as the link between the brains and spinal cord to body organs and muscles.
Neuropathy can be very hard to diagnose, and most of the time, doctors can only diagnose neuropathy based on the symptoms experienced by patients. And once determined, doctors are often than not left clueless as to why the patient has developed nerve damage.
Diabetes, however, is one of the main causes of neuropathic pain and comprises 30% of neuropathic pains experienced by people today. Studies have also showed that almost 60% of people suffering from diabetes will more than likely develop diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage.
Other causes of Neuropathy are alcoholism, vitamin deficiency, HIV/AIDS, tumors, and some physical trauma. It may also be hereditary, although 30% of neuropathic pains reported are of unknown cause.
