What is the cause of diffuse neuropathic pain throughout the body?

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Differential Diagnosis for Full Body Nerve Pain

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Fibromyalgia: A chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tender points. It is a common cause of full body nerve pain and is often diagnosed after ruling out other conditions.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Diabetic Neuropathy: A type of nerve damage that can occur in people with diabetes, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands and feet, which can spread to other parts of the body.
  • Hypothyroidism: A condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, which can cause muscle and joint pain, as well as nerve pain.
  • Vitamin Deficiency (B12 or Vitamin D): Deficiencies in these vitamins can cause nerve pain, numbness, and tingling, especially in the hands and feet.
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A condition characterized by persistent fatigue, muscle pain, and nerve pain, which can be debilitating.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Multiple Sclerosis: A chronic and often disabling autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, causing numbness, tingling, and pain in various parts of the body.
  • Lyme Disease: A bacterial infection that can cause nerve pain, numbness, and tingling, especially if left untreated.
  • Sarcoidosis: A condition in which inflammatory cells form in various parts of the body, including the nerves, causing pain and numbness.
  • Cancer (e.g., lymphoma or leukemia): Certain types of cancer can cause nerve pain, especially if they affect the nervous system.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A group of genetic disorders that affect the connective tissue, causing joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and nerve pain.
  • Porphyria: A group of rare genetic disorders that can cause nerve pain, numbness, and tingling, as well as other symptoms such as abdominal pain and mental changes.
  • Tangier Disease: A rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system, causing nerve pain, numbness, and tingling, especially in the hands and feet.
  • Fabry Disease: A rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system, causing nerve pain, numbness, and tingling, especially in the hands and feet.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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