Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of diabetes in which nerves are damaged due to long-term high levels of blood sugar or hyperglycemia. Diabetic neuropathy can affect many parts of the body including the legs, feet, bladder, heart, gastrointestinal system, and reproductive system.
Diabetic neuropathy generally develops slowly over a period of months as ongoing high blood sugar levels damage the nerves of the body. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy can include a sensation of pain, numbness, tingling, or prickling that begins in the feet. In later stages of diabetic neuropathy, the hands can be affected as well. In some cases of diabetic neuropathy, the abnormal sensations can extend to the arms, legs, and trunk.
Diabetic neuropathy can also affect the muscles resulting in difficulty moving the feet, weakness, foot deformity, and atrophy. Other symptoms can affect movement and the function of certain organs, such as the bladder and organs in the gastrointestinal system. Blood pressure may also be affected. Diabetic neuropathy can also lead to complications. For more details about complications and symptoms, see symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
There are three general types of diabetic neuropathy that affect the nerves of the nervous system. They include sensory neuropathy, also called peripheral neuropathy, in which the nerves the carry messages about sensation to the brain are damaged. Motor neuropathy occurs when the nerves that carry messages about movement from the brain to the muscles are damaged. Autonomic neuropathy occurs when the nerves the control involuntary actives of the body, such as digestion and sweating, are affected.
Diagnosing diabetic neuropathy begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms, and completing a physical examination, including a neurological examination. A neurological exam evaluates the nervous system and such functions as reflexes, sensation, movement, balance, coordination, vision, and hearing. Blood pressure readings are taken, and they may drop abnormally when a person with diabetic neuropathy goes from a lying position to a standing position. This is called orthostatic hypotension. In addition, the pulse may be abnormally high. Blood sugar levels are also checked and monitored.
Tests may include an electromyography (EMG) which tests the nerve and electrical activity of muscles. A nerve conduction test may also be performed to test how fast the nerves transmit impulses.
A diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy and its cause can be delayed or missed because symptoms develop gradually. For information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.
Prevention of diabetic neuropathy is very important for people with diabetes, because there is no cure or treatment that can repair the damage that has been done to the nerves. For more information on prevention and treatment, refer to treatment of diabetic neuropathy. ...more »
Diabetic neuropathy: Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder caused by diabetes. Symptoms of neuropathy include numbness and sometimes pain in the hands, feet, or legs ... more about Diabetic neuropathy.
Diabetic neuropathy: Nerve damage from diabetes affecting any body part; most commonly feet. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Diabetic neuropathy is available below.
People with diabetic neuropathy can experience a variety of symptoms that include abnormal or unusual sensations. Symptoms include sensations of pain, numbness, pins and needles, tingling, or prickling that begins in the feet. In later stages, the hands can be affected as well. In some cases, the abnormal sensations can extend to the arms, legs, and trunk. Diabetic ...more symptoms »
The first step in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy is prevention. Diabetic neuropathy cannot be cured and the damage done to the nerves cannot be repaired, so it is vital that people with diabetes prevent its occurrence.
Prevention includes a consistently following a plan to treat diabetes and normalize blood sugar levels as much as possible to prevent ...more treatments »
A diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy and its cause may be delayed or missed because diabetic neuropathy generally develops gradually and people with the condition may be unaware of it until complications, such as gangrene, develop. In addition, some symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, such as weakness and difficulty walking or emptying the bladder, may be attributed to the aging ...more misdiagnosis »
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Prognosis for Diabetic neuropathy: Prognosis for diabetic neuropathy depends largely on management of diabetes, the underlying condition. Treating the diabetes may halt progression and improve symptoms of the neuropathy, but recovery is slow. The painful sensations of diabetic neuropathy may become severe enough to cause depression in some patients. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Diabetic Neuropathy Information Page: NINDS)
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Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder caused by diabetes. Symptoms of neuropathy include numbness and sometimes pain in the hands, feet, or legs. Nerve damage caused by diabetes can also lead to problems with internal organs such as the digestive tract, heart, and sexual organs, causing indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, bladder infections, and impotence. In some cases, neuropathy can flare up suddenly, causing weakness and weight loss. Depression may follow. (Source: excerpt from Diabetic Neuropathy The Nerve Damage of Diabetes: NIDDK)
Diabetic neuropathy, a nerve disorder caused by diabetes, is characterized by a loss or reduction of sensation in the feet, and in some cases the hands, and pain and weakness in the feet. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Diabetic Neuropathy Information Page: NINDS)
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