The 3 ‘silent’ triggers slowly killing your nerves

Nerve damage (neuropathy) occurs when nerves are injured, and can manifest through symptoms like tingling, numbness, burning pain, weakness, or loss of coordination, often starting in hands/feet (peripheral neuropathy). The first indicators of nerve damage can emerge without any symptoms of pain or immediate cause of injury. However the three “silent” triggers which affect people include high blood sugar, chronic inflammation and prolonged vitamin deficiency. Early identification of these conditions along with basic lifestyle modifications helps people protect their nerves from permanent nerve damage. Take a look…1. High blood sugar (even if not full diabetes)High blood sugar levels which occur before diabetes development (known as prediabetes) represent a typical nerve-killing condition. High blood sugar levels that persist for extended periods, damage the tiny blood vessels which provide nerves with blood supply while directly harming nerve cells, throughout the hands and feet.

The initial signs of this condition begin with light symptoms which include toe, finger tingling, pins and needles sensation and finger and toe burning pain, which becomes more severe during nighttime hours. People often dismiss their developing symptoms because they start gradually, while remaining mild in their initial stages. The numbness from uncontrolled blood sugar levels will continue to spread throughout the body, until people experience complete loss of foot sensation which makes them more susceptible to hidden wounds and bacterial infections.People who want to protect their nerves should monitor their blood sugar levels, because their risk increases when they have diabetes or when their family members have diabetes or obesity, or they spend most of their time sitting. To counter this, one should keep their weight in check, while avoiding refined sugar and processed foods.2. Chronic inflammation and hidden infectionsThe body experiences chronic low-level inflammation which becomes a silent trigger, because of hidden infections, autoimmune diseases and prolonged stress periods. The inflammatory process causes two types of nerve damage which result in pain and functional impairment of nerves.The progression of untreated Lyme disease, hepatitis C and Epstein‑Barr virus and autoimmune diseases like lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome, leads to nerve damage which manifests through different unrelated symptoms, that develop across multiple years. The early signs of nerve damage include fatigue, joint pain, brain fog and tingling and burning sensations in the limbs, although most people fail to recognize these symptoms until their condition reaches an advanced stage.The prevention of nerve damage requires people to handle their stress levels while following an anti-inflammatory diet, which includes vegetables, fruits, nuts and omega-3 fats, and to undergo medical tests for detecting hidden infections and autoimmune markers when their symptoms continue.3. Long‑term vitamin deficienciesThe third unspoken trigger factor involves extended periods when the body fails to obtain vital vitamins and minerals, which nerves require for their health maintenance, including B vitamins (B1, B6, B12) and vitamin E and copper. These nutrients are essential for building and repairing the protective covering of nerves (myelin) and for proper nerve signaling.

The development of deficiencies occurs gradually because of inadequate nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, and digestive issues, which include celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and particular drug prescriptions. The first indicators of this condition appear through symptoms which include numbness, tingling sensations, balance issues and muscle weakness, that people might confuse with typical aging symptoms or stress-related effects.To counter this, one should consume different foods which contain essential nutrients, along with whole grains, pulses, green leafy vegetables, eggs, dairy products or plant-based alternatives. Doctors will perform blood tests and prescribe supplements to patients who have digestive problems or drink excessive alcohol, because these conditions create a need to treat the deficiency before nerve damage reaches an advanced stage.Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice