Neuritis is a medical condition characterized by an inflamed nerve or an inflamed portion of the nervous system. There are two primary types of neuritis: optic neuritis and peripheral neuritis.

Optic neuritis, which is also referred to as retrobulbar neuritis, is generally caused by viral or bacterial infections. As its name implies, optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve. It can cause the individual to experience partial or complete loss of vision. This is usually either because the inflammation destroys the myelin sheath, which covers the optic nerve, or because the axons of the nerve are damaged from the swelling.

A person afflicted with optic neuritis often feels pain when attempting to move the eye. In addition, the person with optic neuritis often has difficulty identifying colors with the affected eye, though he or she may not realize it until covering the healthy eye.

Most patients with optic neuritis experience a return of normal vision after the infection causing the disorder has cleared up. However, it generally takes eight to ten weeks for this to occur. In some cases, optic neuritis leads to permanent damage and loss of vision. To reduce the chances of the damage being permanent, it is important for the person experiencing optic neuritis to receive prompt medical attention.

With peripheral neuritis, also referred to as peripheral neuropathy, damage occurs to a nerve within the peripheral nervous system. Like optic neuritis, this can be caused by disease or illness. On the other hand, bacteria or viruses typically do not cause these diseases. Instead, afflictions such as AIDS, diabetes, seizures, alcoholism, and nutritional deficiencies are common causes. A person may also experience peripheral neuritis from pressure placed on the nerve due to remaining in one position for too long.

Individuals with peripheral neuritis commonly experience tremors, numbness, and an imbalance in their gait. The sufferer might also feel tiredness, weakness, cramps, or a general feeling of heaviness. In addition, he or she may feel itching, tingling, and pain. In some cases, the pain can become so severe that the patient needs to use potent drugs to mask it.