Neuropathy is a general term for disease, damage, or malfunctioning of the peripheral nerves, which connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
Causes include diabetes; certain dietary deficiencies (nutritional neuropathy), such as a deficiency of B vitamins; excessive alcohol consumption; liver or kidney disease; immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis; certain infections, such as HIV or Hansen’s disease (leprosy); some cancers, such as lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system); poisoning by heavy metals, such as lead; and drug overdose.
Symptoms depend on which nerves are affected.
In general, they may include numbness, tingling, pain, loss of balance and coordination, muscle weakness, blurred vision, dizziness, bladder or bowel problems, and erectile dysfunction