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Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy means there is damage to some of the nerves outside your central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord). Different things can cause peripheral neuropathy, but diabetes is one of the most common causes. Symptoms include numb or tingling feet or hands, stabbing or burning pain in the affected area, muscle weakness, and loss of balance and coordination.

Because usual pain relief medicines don't usually work with nerve pain, peripheral neuropathy may be treated with amitriptyline, gabapentin, or nortriptyline.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• NHS Choices – Peripheral neuropathy

  This page explains what causes peripheral neuropathy, its symptoms, the importance of early diagnosis, and how it's treated.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created August 2015.

Page reference: 192269

Review key: HIPNE-192269