Genetic Conditions
Sometimes the cause of neuropathy is hereditary or a condition patients inherit from one or both parents.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of genetic conditions that impact the peripheral nerves. It is a common neurological disorder affecting about one in 2,500 Americans. It was named after the three physicians who identified the disease in 1886: Jean-Martin Charcot and Pierre Marie in Paris, France, and Howard Henry Tooth. But it is also known as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy or HMSN. Typical manifestations of the disease include foot deformities, frequent tripping or falling, and muscle atrophy or the thinning of muscle mass.
Fabry disease is another inherited condition that causes neuropathy. It is when the patient lacks the enzymes that help break down fats or lipids. As a result, the fat collects in the blood vessels, leading to nerve damage and other serious complications of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure.
Amyloidosis, a rare genetic disorder where the protein amyloid builds up and affects key organs in the body, also causes neuropathy. When the protein builds up in the nervous system, it may cause tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands and feet.
