Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes, in which nerves are damaged as a result of high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia).
Alternative NamesNerve damage - diabetic
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsPeople with Diabetes commonly develop temporary or permanent damage to nerve tissue. Nerve injuries are caused by decreased blood flow and high blood sugar levels, and are more likely to develop if blood sugar levels are not well controlled.
Some people with diabetes will not develop nerve damage, while others may develop this condition early. On average, symptoms begin 10 to 20 years after the diabetes diagnosis. Approximately 50% of people with diabetes will eventually develop nerve damage.
Peripheral nerve injuries may affect nerves in the skull (cranial nerves) or nerves from the spinal column and their branches. This type of nerve injury (neuropathy) tends to develop in stages.
Autonomic neuropathies affect the nerves that regulate vital functions, including the heart muscle and smooth muscles.
SymptomsDigestive tract:
Legs and arms:
Other symptoms:
Note: Symptoms vary depending on the nerves affected, and may include symptoms other than those listed. Symptoms usually develop gradually over years.
Signs and testsPhysical examination, including nervous system (neurological) and sensory tests, may diagnose neuropathies. A common early finding is the absence of ankle reflexes.
Health care providers often test for loss of sensation in the feet with a brush-like instrument called a monofilament.
Electrodiagnostic testing may be done.
TreatmentThe goals of treating diabetic neuropathy are to prevent the disease from getting worse and to reduce the symptoms of the disease.
Tight control of blood sugar (glucose) is important to prevent symptoms and problems from getting worse.
Medications may be used to reduce the symptoms in the feet, legs, and arms. These medications include:
Regular foot exams are important to identify small infections and prevent foot injuries from getting worse. If foot injuries go unnoticed for too long, amputation may be required.
Expectations (prognosis)Treatment relieves pain and can control some symptoms, but the disease generally continues to get worse.
ComplicationsIn addition, neuropathy may mask angina, the warning chest pain for Heart disease and heart attack.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you develop symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
PreventionTight control of blood sugar levels may prevent neuropathy in many people with type 1 diabetes, and may reduce the severity of symptoms.
In addition, regular foot care can prevent a small infection from getting worse. This is why no appointment for diabetes care is complete without a thorough foot examination.
ReferencesVinik AI. Diabetic neuropathies. Med Clin North Am. 2004;88(4):947-999.
Vardi M, Nini A. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors for erectile dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(1):CD002187.
Wong MC, Chung JW, Wong TK. Effects of treatments for symptoms of painful diabetic neuropathy: systematic review. BMJ. 2007;335:87.
American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes--2010. Diabetes Care. 2010 Jan;33 Suppl 1:S11-61.
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by prolonged high blood glucose levels. It is manifested by numbness, tingling, and pain. It is most commonly found in the extremities of the body, especially in the feet. Diabetics can prevent this by managing blood glucose levels and having regular exams to check for signs of neuropathy.
If you suffer from neuropathy diabetes, you most likely experience a great deal of pain and numbness in your feet. It is imperative that you wear the right type of shoes to protect your feet from injury.
Diabetic neuropathy is damage to nerves in the body that occurs due to high blood sugar levels from diabetes.
Alternative NamesNerve damage - diabetic
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsNerve injuries are caused by decreased blood flow and high blood sugar levels. They are more likely to develop if blood sugar levels are not well controlled.
About half of people with diabetes will develop nerve damage. Most of the time symptoms do not begin until 10 to 20 years after diabetes has been diagnosed.
Nerve injuries may affect:
Symptoms often develop slowly over several years. They can vary depending on the nerves that are affected.
People with diabetes may have trouble digesting food. These problems can make your diabetes harder to control. Symptoms of this problem are:
Tingling or burning in the arms and legs may be an early sign of nerve damage. These feelings often start in your toes and feet. You may have deep pain, often in the feet and legs.
Nerve damage may cause you to lose feeling in your arms and legs. Because of this you may:
Damage to nervves in your heart and blood vessels may cause you to:
Other symptoms of nerve damage are:
A physical exam may show:
Tests that may be done include:
It is very important to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range. You should learn the basic steps for managing your diabetes, avoiding its complications, and staying as healthy as possible. These steps will include diet, exercise, and sometimes medicines.
You may need to check your blood sugar daily, or more often. Your doctor will help you by taking blood tests and other tests.
See also:
The following medications may be used to reduce symptoms in the feet, legs, and arms:
Treatments for nausea and vomiting may include:
Diarrhea, constipation, bladder problems, and other symptoms are treated as needed.
See also:
Drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and tadalafil (Cialis) may be used for treating impotence. Discuss these medicines with your doctor before taking them.
To keep your feet healthy, you should:
See also: Diabetes foot care
Expectations (prognosis)Treatment relieves pain and can control some symptoms, but the disease generally continues to get worse.
ComplicationsNeuropathy may also hide angina, the warning chest pain for heart disease and heart attack.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you develop symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
PreventionTight control of blood sugar levels may prevent neuropathy in many people with type 1 diabetes, and may reduce the severity of symptoms.
In addition, regular foot care can prevent a small infection from getting worse. This is why no appointment for diabetes care is complete without a thorough foot examination.
ReferencesEisenbarth GS, Polonsky KS, Buse JB. Type 1 diabetes mellitus. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 31.
Wong MC, Chung JW, Wong TK. Effects of treatments for symptoms of painful diabetic neuropathy: systematic review. BMJ. 2007;335:87.
American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes--2011. Diabetes Care. 2011 Jan;34 Suppl 1:S11-61.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/28/2011
Ari S. Eckman, MD, Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
One of the most concerning complications that comes with diabetes is diabetic neuropathy. It often presents as a tingling in the feet and can lead to complete loss of sensation in the feet.
The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely the development of one or more forms of neuropathy. Approximately 60-70% of patients with diabetes have neuropathy
A possible treatment for neuropathy diabetes would be a medicine called Lyrica. It would help with your symptoms. You should ask your doctor about possibly taking it.
Some well organized and highly informative websites about diabetes neuropathy are: www.neuropathypaindoctors.com, www.raysahelian.com/diabeticneuropathy.html, and www.diabeticlifestyle.com/diabetes/how-treat-diabetic-neuropathy. Each has a database of very useful information including treatment, relief and how to cope.
secondary complications of diabetes mellitusSecondary complication of diabetes mellitusDiabetes Mellitus.
Trauma and associated diseases, such as diabetes and HIV, are the major factors associated with this neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy is primarily caused by diabetes or prolonged high blood sugar. It can also be genetic or triggered by an auto-immune disease however those with diabetes are at a significantly higher risk than the average population for developing peripheral neuropathy.
It doesn't, unless you have extreme neuropathy in the legs and feet.
Yes people with diabetes can cause many diseases including ketoacidosis, neuropathy, and retinopathy.
Peripheral neuropathy is a disease of the nerves, which may cause parenthesis, numbness and tingling, weakness and/or burning sensations. Among some of the causes is diabetes, vitamin deficiency, shingles or many immune compromising diseases. Treatment for peripheral neuropathy may include medication, diabetes control and vitamins to avoid deficiency.
It can, although peripheral neuropathy usually occurs first in the feet.
Neuropathy is a common problem in patients with diabetes. Unfortunately, it is only partially prevented by good glucose control. Neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, or burning in the affected areas, which is not reversible. It is usually progressive. Neuropathy not only occurs in the somatic nerves (sensory nerves), but also in the autonomic nerves, where it causes gastroparesis.
You might ask your doctor if you might have a pain condition called neuropathy. Neuropathy in the feet is often associated with Type II Diabetes. But neuropathy can also occur from an injury.