16 Jul What is Small Fiber Neuropathy? How Nerve Disorders, Orofacial Pain, & Sleep Connect
If you’re experiencing sharp, needle-like pains in your skin that are affecting your sleep and general quality of life, you might be suffering from small fiber neuropathy.
So, what is small fiber neuropathy?
In this blog, we answer this question and explore causes, symptoms, and potential treatment options.
What is Small Fiber Neuropathy?
Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a disorder affecting the nervous system. It is a form of peripheral neuropathy, which refers to any nerve disorder outside of the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral neuropathy can cause severe neuropathic pain. SFN occurs because of damage to small nerve fibers in your skin. It can be concentrated in specific parts of the body (typically the hands and feet) or spread across different areas in patches.
This condition is uncommon, and in many cases, symptoms can be triggered or worsened by sensory stimulation, such as air or fabric on the skin.
Causes of Small Fiber Neuropathy
SFN can develop for many reasons. These reasons include:
- Medical conditions. SFN can develop due to a variety of medical conditions, including diabetes, sepsis, vitamin B deficiency, immune system disorders such as celiac, and infectious diseases such as HIV.
- Genetic factors. Genetic mutations that affect the peripheral nervous system may cause SFN, as well as inherited disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Fabry disease.
- Exposure to toxins. Certain medications and antibiotics may increase the risk of SFN. A patient undergoing chemotherapy treatment may also develop it as a result.
- No known cause. Sometimes, SFN can develop for no known reason in a case of idiopathic small fiber neuropathy.
Symptoms of Small Fiber Neuropathy
SFN symptoms vary and may ebb and flow or be constant. If left untreated, symptoms will likely worsen over time.
Common symptoms of small fiber neuropathy include:
- Burning, tingling, or needle-like pain in the hands and feet
- Intense orofacial pain–common in people suffering from neuropathic pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Loss of feeling in certain parts of the body
- Corrupted ability to sense pain
- Heavy sweating
- Cramping
- Heart palpitations
- Appearance of related conditions, such as widespread chronic pain and burning mouth syndrome
- Insomnia or trouble sleeping
How Does Small Fiber Neuropathy Affect Sleep?
Many people with small fiber neuropathy and other chronic pain issues, such as orofacial pain, experience sleep disturbance. In fact, people suffering from nerve disorders are more likely to develop sleep disorders, and one study reported that 68% of neuropathic pain patients reported experiencing disturbed sleep. Lack of sleep leads to increased pain sensitivity (hyperalgesia), exacerbating the other symptoms of SFN.
Since sleep is key to good health and quality of life, insomnia can be highly distressing. If small fiber neuropathy is affecting your sleep, it’s time to seek medical treatment.
Treating Small Fiber Neuropathy
Treatment options for SFN usually involve pain relief medicine or topical anesthetics, but antiseizure medications or antidepressants may be prescribed to calm the hyperalgesia. Professionals may also treat the potential underlying condition causing SFN, such as diabetes.
At TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama, we know you want a good night’s sleep. We are a team of caring, experienced doctors focused on finding real relief and solutions for our patients’ orofacial pain and sleep disturbance. If you have questions about small fiber neuropathy, chronic pain, or other issues that may be affecting your sleep, contact us and book an appointment today.