What is diabetic neuropathy? Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage which is caused by diabetes. Studies show that about 60 to 70 percent of diabetics have some form of nerve damage, as a matter of fact. The risk of nerve damage to a diabetic increases the longer they have the disease, and the risk is even greater in people who have trouble controlling their blood sugar levels. Having high blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and being overweight are also contributing factors.

 

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

 

Peripheral diabetic neuropathy is the main type of diabetic neuropathy that diabetics develop. This is nerve damage that begins in the limbs. The feet and legs are affected first, followed by the hands and arms. This type of neuropathy usually begins with tingling, numbness, or sharp pains in the toes or feet of the diabetic. The condition may evolve and lead to muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, or foot deformities, such as hammertoes.

Diabetics with peripheral neuropathy are also at a high risk of foot injuries which could lead to infection. If an injury occurs, and prompt treatment for diabetic neuropathy is not sought, an infection may form. If diabetic neuropathy treatment is not given, the infection could spread, and the affected area may have to be amputated. In fact, even the smallest of cuts or breaks in skin could lead to amputations. That is why all injuries should be cleaned, treated, and bandaged at the very least.

If infections do occur, diabetics should turn to their doctor for antibiotic treatment right away. In fact, most doctors would prefer you to seek treatment of diabetic neuropathy wound care even for the smallest cuts and scrapes. Experts estimate that half of the amputations performed could have been prevented if minor problems are caught and treated in time.

 

Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

 

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy vary from person to person. Sometimes people do not have any symptoms at all. Nerve damage occurs gradually; so many cases of diabetic neuropathy go unnoticed for a long time. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy may include:

  • Numbness, tingling, or pain in toes, feet, legs, hands, arms, and fingers
  • Wasting away of the muscles in the feet or hands
  • Indigestion, nausea, or vomiting
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Dizziness or faintness due to a drop in blood pressure after standing or sitting up
  • Problems urinating
  • Muscle weakness
  • Erectile dysfunctions in men or vaginal dryness in women

 

Diabetic Neuropathy Pain

 

Diabetic neuropathy can be mild or severe. Since the nerves are damaged, the signal that is received by your brain is much different from that which is actually happening. The “perceived pain” may actually be a lot worse than the actual pain in other words. For example, if a nurse were to accidentally run a sheet across a diabetic’s foot, the pain that is experienced may be immense.

Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness as well as pain. One thing to remember about numbness in diabetes is that people with numbness in their feet often overlook injuries. Sometime this numbness causes diabetics to fall more because they cannot tell if they are stepping right or what they are stepping on. Finally, diabetic neuropathy can lead to muscle weakness that can cause further injury as well.