The symptoms of polyneuropathy may appear suddenly (acute, occurring over a few days or a couple of weeks) or develop slowly and appear over a period of time (chronic, occurring over months or years), depending on the cause. The symptoms of neuropathy may fluctuate over time, come and go, or become more or less intense over time. If the condition is allowed to progress, the most obvious motor and sensory symptoms of neuropathy begin to appear. Some motor neuropathies are acute, meaning that symptoms appear suddenly and can quickly worsen. This type is most commonly seen in people with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a disorder that causes the immune system to attack the body's peripheral nervous system.
Approximately 95% of people recover completely or almost completely from Guillain-Barré syndrome. Polyneuropathy is the most common type and begins by affecting the longest nerves first, so symptoms usually start in the feet. Over time, it gradually begins to affect the shorter nerves, so it feels as if it extends upwards and, later, affects the hands. The symptoms of polyneuropathy may occur suddenly or gradually.
The first symptom of polyneuropathy is usually mild tingling, which worsens over time until the area becomes numb. People with diabetes often have neuropathy in their feet. This is a serious condition because they can get an infection or injure their foot without being able to feel it. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can vary depending on the type you have.
They can also occur quickly or slowly. Once symptoms start, they usually worsen and then gradually improve over a period of months or years. In many cases, symptoms don't go away completely. Mononeuropathy involves damage to a single, specific nerve. The nerve may be in the face, torso, arm, or leg.
Sometimes, individual nerves in different parts of the body can be affected at the same time. Another name given to it is focal neuropathy. Some neuropathies are due to inherited medical conditions that worsen over time, and others may be caused by certain medications (e.g., intestinal changes (constipation or diarrhea) and loss of bladder control, sudden drops in blood pressure and spikes in heart rate, erectile dysfunction or inability to reach orgasm, swelling of the feet and hands, and blurred vision.
