Your nervous system is involved in everything you do. From writing with a pencil, to regulating your breathing, to running a marathon, to sensing heat and cold, your nerves are essential to all of your bodily functions. Because of this, damage to your nerves can be seriously detrimental to your quality of life.

Types of nerves in the body

There are three types of nerves in the body, each of which performs a specific set of functions. Autonomic nerves are responsible for controlling involuntary or partially voluntary activities like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. Motor nerves transmit information from your brain to your muscles, allowing you to perform actions such as typing on your computer or kicking a soccer ball. Conversely, sensory nerves are responsible for sending information from your skin and muscles back to the brain. This information allows you to feel pain, like when your hand gets too close to a hot stove.

Nerve damage symptoms

Nerve damage symptoms vary depending on the location and type of nerves affected.

Autonomic nerve damage symptoms

Dizziness and fainting

Sweating abnormalities

Urinary problems

Sexual dysfunction

Difficulty digesting food

Motor nerve damage symptoms

Weakness

Muscle atrophy

Twitching

Paralysis

Sensory nerve damage symptoms

Pain

Sensitivity

Numbness

Tingling

Burning

Causes of nerve damage

The causes of nerve damage are even more varied than the associated symptoms. In fact, there are over 100 different kinds of nerve damage, each with its own set of symptoms and types of treatment. Autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease can cause nerve damage. Nutritional deficiencies (vitamins B6 and B12), infectious diseases, trauma, diabetes, and cancer are also known causes of nerve damage.

If you begin to experience any of the above nerve damage symptoms, seek medical care immediately. This is especially important if you have diabetes, as about 25 percent of people with the disease suffer from nerve damage. As a preventative measure, the American Diabetes Association recommends folks with type 1 and type 2 diabetes receive annual autonomic neuropathy screenings. These regular visits to your doctor can help diagnose any problems early on, reducing the likelihood of permanent damage.