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The symptoms of Neuropathy reflect the loss or miscommunication between the brain and other organs. If the nerves that control the muscles which are called motor nerves are damaged, then the patients develope weakness. If the nerves known as sensory nerves are injured then the patients develop numbness, burning, and tingling . The part of the body that becomes affected depends on which nerves are damaged. If there is a systemic disease that is affecting all of the nerves of the body then the symptoms of neuropathy usually start in the feet and gradually work their way up the legs and into the arms. In this type, which is called a polyneuropathy, the patients could first develop a foot drop and they notice that they are tripping over their feet, or their feet and toes become numb and tingling.
The symptoms could gradually increase. Other disease processes could affect only one nerve so that the only part of the body that is affected is the region which that nerve controls. This type is called a mononeuropathy. For example, the patient could only develop weakness, numbness, tingling, and burning only in one hand. Other organs could also become involved including inability to adequately empty the bladder, nausea, vomiting, abdominal fullness or bloating, diarrhea, or constipation, low blood with dizziness, or trouble maintaining an erection.
References
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- Bell, David S.H. MD. Metformin-Induced Vitamin B12 Deficiency Presenting as a Peripheral Neuropathy. Southern Medical Journal:March 2010 - Volume 103 - Issue 3 - pp 265-267
- Daryl J. Wile, MD, and Cory Toth, MD. Association of metformin, elevated homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels, and clinically worsened diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Diabetes Care. 2010 Jan;33(1):156-61. Epub 2009 Oct 21.
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Neuropathy Symptoms