What Do You Know About Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a term that refers to temporary or permanent damage to the
peripheral nerves. These are the nerves that carry information to and from the brain
and spinal cord to the rest of the body. This damage is one of the most common complications
of diabetes. Find out more about peripheral neuropathy by taking this quiz.
1. Peripheral neuropathy can lead to numbness and sometimes pain and weakness in the
arms and legs.
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The symptoms depend on which nerves are affected. The nerves might control muscles
or your sense of touch, or control your internal organs (autonomic). Problems with
sensation can occur in hands, arms, legs, and feet. Damage to nerves that control
the function of organs can cause health problems affecting the digestive tract, heart
and circulatory system, and sex organs. Weakness itself could more likely be caused
by a stroke. This is especially true if it comes on suddenly.
2. The longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk for neuropathy.
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More than half of the people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy, the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) says. People who have
had diabetes for at least 25 years have the highest rates of nerve damage. Neuropathies
are also more common in people who can't keep their blood sugar under control. They
are also more common in people with high blood pressure or who are obese.
3. Researchers have linked diabetic nerve damage to a combination of factors. These
include high blood pressure and high levels of fat in the blood.
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Researchers aren't sure exactly how the damage occurs. But they think that over time,
this combination damages the nerves. They also suspect that the nerves may be damaged
by an autoimmune response triggered by diabetes. They also suspect that smoking or
alcohol abuse contributes to the problem.
4. Some people with peripheral neuropathy can have no symptoms.
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The symptoms of neuropathy depend on which nerves are affected and the type of nerves
affected. According to the NIDDK, some people may have no symptoms. Others have mild
to severe numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet or hands. Other people have symptoms
such as indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, urination problems, and
erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness.
5. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are often worse in the morning.
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Symptoms are often worse at night. Peripheral neuropathy affects the peripheries of
the body. These are the toes, feet, legs, hands, and arms, the NIDDK says. Symptoms
include:
- Numbness to pain or temperature in those areas
- A tingling, burning, or prickling feeling
- Sharp pain or cramps
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Problems with balance and coordination
6. Treatment for neuropathy focuses on surgery.
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Treatment focuses on controlling blood sugar. Bringing blood sugar under control helps
prevent further nerve damage. This may be done by better meal planning, exercise,
medicine, and watching blood sugar and A1c levels. Symptoms may get worse at first.
But then they may ease as normal blood sugar levels are maintained, the NIDDK says.
If pain is a problem, your healthcare provider also may prescribe a pain reliever
or other medicines that treat pain. Your provider can also help with problems linked
to digestion, urinary and sexual functions, and dizziness. You may have nerve pain
from more than one cause. Some of those other causes may be helped by surgery. So
work with your healthcare provider to have a full assessment of your condition.
Pay special attention to areas of your body affected by neuropathy. If your feet and
legs are affected, check those areas every day for wounds or sores or other problems.
Call your healthcare provider if you have an open sore or have any injury to your
arm, legs, fingers, or toes.
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