Condition
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage from high blood glucose (sugar) levels in people with diabetes. Nerves throughout the body can suffer damage. People with poor glucose control and who have had diabetes for a long time are at highest risk for nerve damage. Smokers are especially at risk. About 60–70% of people who have had diabetes for many years have some form of nerve damage, but not everyone has symptoms.
The most common types of diabetic neuropathy are those that affect the limbs and those that affect organs and muscles inside the body.
The first type (called peripheral neuropathy or distal polyneuropathy or DPN) affects the sensitivity of your feet, legs, hands, and arms. It also can affect the movement of your limbs. Symptoms of DPN include:
About half of people who have DPN might not have symptoms, except for losing feeling in their feet. Because of this feeling loss, they could injure their feet and not know it. Untreated foot injuries can lead to ulcers and infection and, sometimes, amputation.
The second type (called autonomic neuropathy) affects your urinary tract, digestive system, sex organs, sweat glands, eyes, and heart. Symptoms of autonomic neuropathy include:
See your doctor as soon as possible if you have:
Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. You should be checked once a year for DPN, or more often if you have foot problems. The doctor will check for loss of feeling in your feet by seeing whether you can feel light touch, pinpricks, vibrations from a tuning fork, and the touch of a thin piece of nylon fiber against your foot The doctor may also check the reflexes in your ankles and the position of your toes. You might have tests to see how well your nerves are working. Your doctor will also make sure you don’t have other conditions, such as blood flow problems or a vitamin deficiency.
Good blood glucose control (keeping blood glucose from being too high or too low) may prevent further nerve damage but usually can’t reverse damage that’s already happened. Your doctor may prescribe medicines for pain that occurs with some types of nerve damage, and suggest certain vitamins if needed.
The most effective way to prevent damage is to keep your blood glucose level under good control. You can do so by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and reaching a healthy weight. Avoiding smoking and limiting alcoholic beverages can also help. Your doctor or diabetes educator can help you plan your healthy lifestyle.
You also can do a lot to prevent leg ulcers and amputations. Protect your feet by:
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