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What are the Common Causes of Nerve Swelling?

N. Ayers
N. Ayers

The common causes of nerve swelling can differ, depending on the area of the body that is affected. Nerves can become inflamed because of a variety of factors, including trauma, pressure and disease. Repetitive activities also can damage nerves in the body.

Injury, trauma and bruises are some of the common causes of swelling of the nerves. Injuries to the wrist or repetitive activities such as typing put men and women at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the median nerve. Some conditions and diseases, including diabetes, arthritis and leukemia, might also contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. Injuries to the face or tooth decay can cause a tooth nerve to become inflamed.

Repetitive activities such as typing may cause nerve swelling.
Repetitive activities such as typing may cause nerve swelling.

The peroneal nerve, which provides movement to the lower legs and feet, could risk damage resulting from knee injuries, leg fractures, frequent leg crossing or knee surgery. Using crutches improperly, putting pressure on the upper arm or fracturing the bone in this area could cause damage to the radial nerve that supports movement of the upper arm, wrist and hand. Injury to the ulnar nerve might be caused by elbow trauma from dislocation or fractures to the elbow. The ulnar nerve is responsible for transmitting sensations from the fingers to the spinal cord and controlling the movements of muscles in the hand and forearm.

Tooth decay may cause a tooth nerve to become inflamed.
Tooth decay may cause a tooth nerve to become inflamed.

Poor posture is among the common causes of nerve swelling for the longest nerve in the body. The sciatic nerve, which runs from the spinal cord to the legs, can be affected by sitting for long periods of time and applying too much pressure on the buttocks. Pressure or damage to this nerve leads to a symptom known as sciatica, which causes pain in the lower back and in the legs. The sciatic nerve might become inflamed for additional reasons, including a herniated disc, pelvic injury and tumors.

Improper use of crutches may cause damage to the radial nerve.
Improper use of crutches may cause damage to the radial nerve.

Brain tumors and infections are also among the causes of nerve swelling. These tumors and infections affect the optical nerve, which sends visual information to the brain. Papilledema, the name for optical nerve swelling, can be caused by meningitis infections.

The optic nerve can also become inflamed in men and women who are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This type of inflammation is called optic neuritis, and it has other causes, including syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and drugs. Pressure increases in the body, including high blood pressure, can also cause optic nerve swelling. Women are at an increased risk for developing a condition called benign intracranial hypertension, which arises when the body makes too much spinal fluid. The condition is related to papilledema and can be triggered because of obesity, use of birth control pills or pregnancy.

Discussion Comments

Grinderry
@Contentum: That is good to know would hate to think this information is not based off of facts and test data.
Contentum

You will notice that on most of these articles on medicine that there are resolutions and remedies mentioned in the explanation of the root cause of most of the illnesses and health issues. These can only be posted with data form studies made and that are continuing to be made on any of the topics discussed. Modern science dictates that no information can be released until it has been tested thoroughly.

Realited
@Grinderry: It can be a fine line as to whether or not a drug caused another symptom or brought about a new issue. This is why they perform those clinical trials and ask for feedback form patients and people who are participating. Also, there are the tests done on animals that have a similar physiology to humans and who would have the same reactions most humans would more or less.
Grinderry

Was shocked to hear about the birth control pills contributing to something like the increased spinal fluid. I wonder if there shouldn't be a complete and thorough investigation as to what else might contribute to these types of illnesses.

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    • Repetitive activities such as typing may cause nerve swelling.
      By: nyul
      Repetitive activities such as typing may cause nerve swelling.
    • Tooth decay may cause a tooth nerve to become inflamed.
      By: ia_64
      Tooth decay may cause a tooth nerve to become inflamed.
    • Improper use of crutches may cause damage to the radial nerve.
      By: AVAVA
      Improper use of crutches may cause damage to the radial nerve.
    • A knee injury may result in a damaged peroneal nerve.
      By: Kurhan
      A knee injury may result in a damaged peroneal nerve.
    • An elbow injury may result in damage to the ulnar nerve.
      By: Konstantin Yuganov
      An elbow injury may result in damage to the ulnar nerve.
    • Poor posture is one of the most common causes of nerve swelling.
      By: maksimshirkov
      Poor posture is one of the most common causes of nerve swelling.
    • Tumors and infections can cause problems with the optic nerve, the nerve which transmits the signals of the eye to the brain.
      By: kocakayaali
      Tumors and infections can cause problems with the optic nerve, the nerve which transmits the signals of the eye to the brain.
    • A herniated disc may cause the sciatic nerve to become inflamed.
      By: rob3000
      A herniated disc may cause the sciatic nerve to become inflamed.