Somatic neuropathy is a type of peripheral neuropathy which affects your somatic nervous system.
The somatic nervous system is what controls your voluntary muscle movement and sensation.
Somatic neuropathy occurs when there is damage to the nerves which carry information about pain, temperature and touch, as well as the motor commands for the muscle movement from your body to your central nervous system and back.
Somatic neuropathy can cause a range of symptoms which include muscle weakness, pain, tingling and numbness.
Diabetes is a common cause of somatic neuropathy, but other things such as infections, injuries or exposure to toxins can also cause somatic neuropathy.
Symptoms of the somatic neuropathy often begin in your hands and feet, but can also affect other areas of the body.
If somatic neuropathy is left untreated it can cause foot ulcers, infections and even loss of limbs in severe enough cases.
Treatment for somatic neuropathy include physical therapy, pain medication and nerve blockers.
Somatic neuropathy disrupts the communication between your brain and your body and causes various different sensory impairments and motor impairments.
The senses which include sound, smell, taste and touch all use the somatic nervous system to reach your brain.
Your sense of touch below your neck uses your somatic nervous system to reach your spinal cord which then relays the signals to your brain.
The first signs of autonomic neuropathy often include changes in your blood pressure as well as changes in your heart rate, digestive issues such as constipation or difficulty swallowing and even urinary problems such as incontinence and or difficulty in emptying of the bladder.
Sexual dysfunction and changes in sweating and or body temperature regulation can also be early indicators of autonomic neuropathy.