Vitamin Deficiency
Peripheral neuropathy secondary to nutritional or vitamin deficiency is common and can manifest acutely, sub-acutely, or chronically. It involves physical nerve damage and neurotransmitter disruption resulting from malnutrition. This medical condition arises from deficiency or extremely low levels of vitamins B, E, D, and niacin, poor nutrition caused by an unbalanced diet, and long-term alcohol abuse.
Peripheral neuropathy caused by deficiencies in vitamins B1, B6, B12, copper, and other vitamins is treatable but can be challenging to diagnose as it affects all areas of the nervous system.
Some deficiencies result in damage to the myelin sheath, causing the dysfunction of the nerves and resulting in peripheral neuropathy. In some cases, the deficiency can impair the absorption of essential vitamins in the GI tract, damage upper and lower motor neurons, cause ankle jerks, muscle weakness, and bowel and bladder dysfunction, and affect brain functions, resulting in debilitating conditions. Some causative diseases resulting in peripheral neuropathy due to vitamin deficiency include inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune diseases, fat malabsorption, Crohn’s disease, chronic liver disease, multiple sclerosis, pancreatic disease, malabsorption syndromes, eating disorders, gastritis, and ileal or small bowel resections.
