Nerves are the body's communication system. The brain uses nerves to send messages to the muscles, glands and organs, telling them what to do. The body sends messages back to the brain, communicating any unusual sensations or needs that must be...
Nerve damage can be caused by a variety of factors including arthritis, vitamin deficiencies, injuries, surgery or disease. This condition may result in symptoms such as muscle paralysis, numbness, tingling in the limbs or extremities and muscle...
Nerves may be damaged by numerous factors, including pressure, stretching or cutting, notes the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. If one or more of your nerves becomes damaged, nerve impulses to and from your brain may be interrupted,...
Your nervous system helps control a number of physiological processes, allowing for movement, cognitive thought, personality development and memory, as well as regulating several other processes essential for life. A number of nutrients, including...
Glucose is a simple sugar that forms the molecular foundation of large carbohydrate molecules. The carbohydrates in grains, for example, contain hundreds or thousands of glucose units chained together. The digestive system breaks down carbohydrate...
Niacin, or vitamin B-3, is an essential nutrient for your circulation and nerve function. Having too much or too little can result in symptoms in various parts of your body, but nerve damage is not a common side effect. Discuss the proper intake...
Caffeine is a stimulant that passes through your bloodstream and enters the central nervous system, where it activates your brain and nerves. This is what makes caffeinated beverages so effective at providing a morning jolt of energy; the chemical...
The long-chain omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is abundant in human plasma and cell membranes. The highly concentrated presence in your body makes DHA a significant nutrient for adequate central nervous system functions....
Vitamins B6 and B12 are crucial in various cell processes throughout the body. They are also important to the normal functioning of all cells, including those of the central and peripheral nervous systems. These vitamins are available from a...
Neuropathy is another term for nerve damage, and this can be caused by a variety of conditions or medications. Some individuals find certain herbs effective in treating symptoms related to nerve damage, however, these may not be effective for...
Nerve damage can happen anywhere in the vast network of nerves, which are the communication system of your body. The term "peripheral neuropathy" is what describes any kind of damage done to your nerves. Exercise has been shown to alleviate nerve...
About 20 million Americans are afflicted with chronic nerve damage, according to Healthcommunities.com, including about 60 percent of Americans who are diagnosed diabetics. Injuries that involve nerve damage often can't be cured, but treatments...
According to the National Diabetic Information Clearinghouse, 60 to 70 percent of diabetics have a form of neuropathy, or nerve damage. Diabetics who are at the highest rate for diabetic nerve damage have had diabetes for at least 25 years, and...
Leg nerve damage, or lower limb peripheral neuropathy, can occur from trauma, muscle compression or systemic disease, such as diabetes. This can cause a patient to experience pain, numbness or weakness, states MedlinePlus from the National...
The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerve fibers that diverge from the spinal cord into each arm. Damage to the brachial nerve--a condition called plexopathy--can occur due to inflammatory injury, birth defects or toxin exposure, reports...
Nerve damage or neuropathy is loss of sensation or movement in a part of the human body. Nerve damage may occur due to certain over-the-counter or prescription medicines. The University of Chicago reports that this condition is not dangerous;...
Nerve damage symptoms don't need to stop you from exercising, but they do pose some limitations on which exercises you can, and should, do. Nerve damage symptoms can include muscle weakness, pain, numbness and tingling. Nerve damage can also...
The facial nerve, cranial nerve VII, serves many vital functions. It supports motor function of the facial muscles that allow expressions such as smiling and frowning. It facilitates the detection of flavors through its special sensory fibers in...
Damage to the optic nerve, or optic atrophy, is a sign of a serious problem, but is not a disease. Optic nerve damage can potentially cause blindness and other vision problems. The most common cause of optic atrophy is poor blood flow, called...
The nervous system is made up of different parts, but nerves are present in every portion of it. Nerves allow individuals to move and feel sensations like pain and hot or cold temperatures. They also enable activities like the pumping of the...
The nervous system is divided into two sub-systems: the central nervous system, or CNS, which consists of the brain and spinal cord; and the peripheral nervous system, or PNS, which contains the nerves in all other tissues throughout the body....
The axillary nerve innervates the deltoid muscles in the shoulder and is located in the armpit, or axilla. This nerve can be damaged in patients who have a fractured upper arm bone, a cast or splint on the upper arm, improperly use crutches, have...
The ulnar nerve is a long nerve in the arm that runs from the armpit into the fourth and fifth fingers. Ulnar nerve damage results in a neuropathy, which causes pain, numbness, tingling and burning along the inside of the arm and in the fourth and...
Nerve damage to the wrist area can be caused by any number of factors, from trauma to a chronic pathology. The symptoms also can range from mildly odd sensations to excruciating pain from the fingers to the forearm. It is important to define the...
Nerve damage, or neuropathy, according to MayoClinic.com can be caused by traumatic injuries including surgery, infections, toxins and metabolic processes. The most common cause of peripheral nerve damage in America is diabetes. Nerve damage can...
The femoral nerve is a collection of fibers within the leg that aids in leg movement and sensation. If this nerve is damaged due to trauma or disease--a condition called mononeuropathy--femoral nerve damage symptoms can arise. Though this...
Pain from nerve damage is called neuralgia, which is shooting and tingling pains that run along a pressed nerve. An injury usually causes nerves to be pinched. Another cause is when you age and your nerve fibers start to deteriorate, which can...
Few body parts bear such consistent daily punishment as the humble foot. This pedestrian appendage carries the weight of the human body day after day, mile upon mile. When nerve damage affects the foot, it can hamper mobility by causing pain and...
The spine is made up of bones called vertebra and soft spongy discs that separate the vertebra and aid in motion and shock absorption. The spinal cord is an extension of the brain and is housed by the spine. Branching off the spine at each...
Hammertoe is a deformation of the middle joint in a toe, which can be caused by poor footwear or muscle, nerve, or joint damage caused by another condition. Learn more about hammertoe, including symptoms and treatments, in this video.
Sciatica is an inflammation or damage to the sciatic nerve in the spine. Symptoms include sharp pain shooting from the lower back to the back of the legs.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that can lead to blindness. Get professional tips and advice on diagnosing, preventing, and treating glaucoma in this video.
Cold packs can often be used to treat injuries in order to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Learn how to use cold packs properly in this health video.
When exposed to very cold temperatures, skin and underlying tissues may freeze, resulting in frostbite. The areas most likely to be affected by frostbite are your hands, feet, nose and ears. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and...