Nerves transmit information to the brain and stimulate muscles to respond appropriately. Without nerves, we wouldn’t flinch from a hot candle flame or feel the relaxing effects of warm water. But like all other parts of the body, nerves can be damaged (neuropathy), often by nerve inflammation (neuritis) or even injury. Possible consequences include temporary loss of function or permanent destruction of the nerve, as well as nerve pain (neuralgia).
Function of our nervous system
The human nervous system includes innumerable small and large nerve fibers that transmit information picked up by sensing elements to higher-level centers where these stimuli are processed.
The responses are in turn transmitted by nerves to the places where they are supposed to trigger certain actions. Without nerves, we could not respond appropriately to the outside world, nor could the various parts of the organism communicate with each other.
Causes: How does nerve damage occur?
- Often, the nerve is affected by pressure – typical examples are the loss of function caused by a herniated disc or carpal tunnel syndrome; less commonly, a tumor can also crush a nerve.
- (Metabolic) toxins can damage the nerve; they arise, for example, in the sugar or alcohol disease or enter the body through drugs or food (for example, heavy metals). A lack of vitamins, especially folic acid, or multiple sclerosis can also impair nerve function. If several nerves are affected, one also speaks of polyneuropathy or – if inflammatory processes play a role – also of polyneuritis.
- Nerve injuries or transections occur, for example, in traffic accidents or through cuts and are also a possible complication of surgical interventions.
- Nerve inflammation (neuritis) can also be caused by infections. Thus, chickenpox viruses can persist in the body and in certain situations trigger shingles, which is accompanied by typical nerve pain (zoster neuralgia). HIV infection and Lyme disease can also be accompanied by neuralgia.