7. Digestive Issues: An Unexpected Consequence
A symptom of peripheral neuropathy that might raise eyebrows is digestive issues. It might seem like a leap – how do nerve damage and digestion connect? Well, it all circles back to the function of your autonomic nervous system, a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary actions, including digestion.
When neuropathy infiltrates this system, it can disrupt the nerves that manage the intricate dance of digestion. This disruption can manifest in various ways – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or even a feeling of fullness after just a few bites of food.
For example, if the nerves controlling the movement of food through the digestive tract get damaged, it can lead to gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. This can trigger symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloating. (7)
