5 Signs You May Have Suffered Nerve Damage

Updated on March 26, 2021

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Also known as peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage is a condition often associated with diabetes complications. Studies and past incidents, however, show that it can be a product of injury too. If you suspect you are suffering from nerve damage, it is best to confirm it early so your primary care physician can prepare a treatment plan and get you on the road to recovery before things worsen. Here are a few telltale signs to watch out for:

Numbness

Numbness in the limbs is one of the most indicative signs of nerve damage. If you experience unexplained numbness in your hands or feet, particularly after an accident, it’s probably because the limb in question has suffered nerve damage. Get in touch with a doctor as soon as possible for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. If it is the result of a surgical procedure, again, seek medical attention. Your medical malpractice attorney in Maui should further investigate suspected negligence on the surgeon’s part to determine if you should pursue compensation.

A partial loss of the ability to feel

The work of sensory nerves is to sense or recognize external or internal stimuli and feed the information to the central nervous system. A slight change in this uncontrolled ability on any body part shouldn’t be hard to detect. For example, if touching an open flame or hot surface with your finger doesn’t hurt as it usually would, it’s a sign your sensory nerves have been damaged. See your doctor if you have trauma that happened without your knowledge.

Weakness and movement difficulties

Weakness in your hands or legs is a more severe symptom, as it may indicate motor nerve damage, an injury often associated with stroke. If the motion difficulty shows up suddenly, get immediate medical attention. Parkinson’s is another condition that is typified by motor nerve damage, so make sure to get a comprehensive checkup to determine the real cause of your problem.

Uncoordinated movement

Clumsiness when handling objects such as electronic gadgets and utensils may arise from several factors, but you can never rule out the motor and sensory nerve damage. Some people may experience an inability to lift their foot off the ground completely when walking, while others may stumble due to instability on one foot. All these are signs of nerve damage and shouldn’t be ignored.

Sweating

Every function in our bodies is controlled by the central nervous system, and sweating is no exception. If you tend to sweat without being subjected to heat, there is a possibility the nerves that send signals to your sweat glands have been damaged. Note that the damage can happen on your entire body’s sweat glands or specific body parts, so it is not uncommon for certain parts to sweat while others are completely dry.

Endnote

Act swiftly if you experience any of the above symptoms, no matter the degree. Doctors can perform nerve repair and nerve graft procedures, but the outcome is partly influenced by how long you take to seek medical attention.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.