What is a nerve injury?
Nerves are the way our bodies transfer messages to and from the brain to the rest of the body. They signal the body about pain, pressure, and hot and cold temperatures.
Nerve injury or nerve damage can interfere with the signals going to and from the brain. This can prevent muscles from working and cause loss of feeling in the area supplied by that nerve.
What causes nerve injury?
Nerves are surrounded by a covering of tissues protecting the nerve fibers. Nerves are fragile and can be damaged by too much pressure, stretching or cutting. This can cause the nerve fibers carrying information to break and stop the nerve from working.
Damage can occur to nerves in your brain, spinal cord or in the peripheral nerves, which are throughout your body.
There are more than 100 types of nerve damage, with varying symptoms. Common causes of nerve damage include:
- Diabetes
- Cancer and some cancer treatment
- Accidents and trauma
- Disease
- Vitamin B6 and B12 deficiencies
How is a nerve injury treated?
Treatment depends on the problem. Each nerve injury repair will depend on the amount of damage to the nerve. Treatment can include:
- Pain relievers
- Prescription medicine
- Acupuncture and other alternative therapies
- Surgery
- Controlling the underlying medical problem (such as diabetes)
Your doctor will recommend the appropriate treatment and therapy.
