Groups With a High Risk of Nerve Damage

4 minutes read

Nerve damage can affect anyone at any time, but some groups of people have a high risk of developing nerve damage or peripheral neuropathy. At-risk populations can lower the risks of potential nerve damage by making healthy lifestyle choices, managing underlying health conditions and—after consulting with your doctor—taking supplements to replenish neurotropic B vitamins and nutrients if necessary.

Read on to find out if you could have a high risk of peripheral neuropathy.

In this article:
Groups With a Higher Risk of Nerve Damage

People With Diabetes1

You may not be aware that the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes—up to 50% of people with diabetes develop nerve damage. One of the reasons for this is that diabetes is often associated with high levels of blood sugar, which in turn can lead to nerve damage.

Blood sugar control is important for preventing nerve damage, but it’s also important to be aware that metformin—a common diabetes medication—can contribute to vitamin B deficiency, which is another known cause of nerve damage. Vitamin B deficiency can be treated with a vitamin B combination such as NEUROBION®.

Another source of risk for people with diabetes is the high level of oxidative stress that the condition can cause. This may damage the small blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves.

Other risk factors for nerve damage in diabetic patients include smoking, alcohol use and age—diabetics aged 40 and over have a higher risk of developing neuropathy.

Seniors3

Studies show that peripheral neuropathy is more frequent in aged populations. Although the reasons for this can be multiple and still not fully understood, one factor may be that—for a variety of possible reasons—the ability to absorb vitamins can decline with age. This may be one of the reasons why elderly people have more chances of B12, B6 and B1 vitamin deficiencies. As these vitamins are essential for the health of the nervous system, deficiency can lead to nerve impairments.

People With Special Diets3 4

Special diets or malnutrition can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins such as the neurotropic B vitamins, which play a very important role in nerve health. For example, people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet may have a higher risk of B12 vitamin deficiency, which has been reported to cause peripheral neuropathy. If you are unable to get enough vitamin B or any other vitamins from your diet, supplements may be one way of helping to repair the nerve damage and protect against further damage.

People With Alcohol Use3 5

Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol (alcohol abuse) negatively affects your health, including nerves, because alcohol can have a toxic effect on your nerve tissue. Additionally, heavy drinking is often associated with malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies, including B12, B1 and B6. In other words, drinking too much can lower your neurotropic B vitamins levels. People with alcoholic neuropathy may be able to relieve their current symptoms and protect against further damage by stopping drinking and supplementing their diet with B vitamins.

Smokers3 6 7

Are you a smoker? Be careful. Smoking narrows and hardens your arteries, reducing blood flow to your legs and feet and may also be associated with a high risk of nerve damage.

Other At-Risk Groups3

The list above only covers the main groups with an elevated risk of developing peripheral neuropathy. There are many other factors associated with a higher risk of nerve impairment, including:

  • Chronic liver or kidney disease 

  • Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis 

  • An underactive thyroid gland 

  • Prolonged exposure to toxic substances 

  • Certain medicines and medical treatments 

  • Physical injury 

  • Some inherited (genetic) health conditions 

In Short9

Nerve health is important for everyone, but if you’re in one of the groups with a higher risk of peripheral neuropathy, it’s even more vital to take care of your nerves. If you do notice any nerve damage symptoms, such as tingling and numbness in the hands or feet, see you doctor straight away for a diagnosis and early treatment to ensure the best possible outcome and quality of life. 

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor

Talk to your doctor about NEUROBION® the dose and duration of treatment that is appropriate for you.

Article Sources

¹ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2018). Diabetic neuropathy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved March 10, 2022, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/nerve-damage-diabetic-neuropathies/all-content

² Malik, R. A., Andag‐Silva, A., Dejthevaporn, C., Hakim, M., Koh, J. S., Pinzon, R., ... & Wong, K. S. (2020). Diagnosing peripheral neuropathy in South‐East Asia: a focus on diabetic neuropathy. Journal of diabetes investigation, 11(5), 1097-1103.

³ Head, K. A. (2006). Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative therapies. Alternative medicine review, 11(4).

⁴ Hickson, M. (2006). Malnutrition and ageing. Postgraduate medical journal, 82(963), 2-8.

⁵ Mellion, M., Gilchrist, J. M., & De La Monte, S. (2011). Alcohol‐related peripheral neuropathy: nutritional, toxic, or both?. Muscle & nerve, 43(3), 309-316.

⁶ Clair, C., Cohen, M. J., Eichler, F., Selby, K. J., & Rigotti, N. A. (2015). The effect of cigarette smoking on diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of general internal medicine, 30(8), 1193-1203.

⁷ van der Velde, J. H., Koster, A., Strotmeyer, E. S., Mess, W. H., Hilkman, D., Reulen, J. P., ... & Schaper, N. C. (2020). Cardiometabolic risk factors as determinants of peripheral nerve function: the Maastricht Study. Diabetologia, 63(8), 1648-1658.

⁸ Lehmann, H. C., Wunderlich, G., Fink, G. R., & Sommer, C. (2020). Diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. Neurological research and practice, 2(1), 1-7.

⁹ Calderón‐Ospina, C. A., & Nava‐Mesa, M. O. (2020). B Vitamins in the nervous system: Current knowledge of the biochemical modes of action and synergies of thiamine, pyridoxine, and cobalamin. CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 26(1), 5-13.