Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Answer 1

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a pain problem dealing with the nerves of the body that some people with Diabetes will suffer from during their lifetime. This type of neuropathy occurs in the arms, hands, legs and feet of the patient suffering from diabetes and causes severe nerve pain. The sensory nerves, the motor nerves, and the autonomic nerves are the three nerve systems commonly affected by diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The sensory nerves enable people to feel pain, temperature, and touch. The motor nerves control the body’s muscles, giving them strength and tone. The autonomic nerves allow the body to perform involuntary functions such as sweating.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy does not develop out of the blue in one day. Instead, this problem develops over a lengthy period of time and worsens over time. Some diabetes patients develop this problem well before they are diagnosed with diabetes. If patients suffer from diabetes for a long period of time they are more at risk to develop diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This problem causes a loss of sensation in the body of the patient, which can lead to the development of skin ulcers that can become infected and might not heal.

If a patient’s sensory nerves are affected then he or she will likely experience numbness or tingling in the feet, pain or discomfort in the legs, burning feet, sharp pain or a prickly feeling in the feet. If a patient’s motor nerves are affected then he or she will likely experience muscle weakness, loss of muscle tone in the feet or lower legs, a loss of balance, and changes in foot shape that can lead to increased pressure. If a patient’s autonomic nerves are affected then he or she will likely experience dry feet and cracked skin. These two symptoms are the same symptoms of walking around barefoot so anyone that is overweight and continues to suffer from these symptoms should see a doctor to make sure they are not diabetic.

The following tips should help people with diabetes prevent developing diabetic peripheral neuropathy nerve pain:

• Keep blood sugar levels under control.

• Wear well-fitting shoes to avoid getting sores.

• Inspect your feet every day.

• Visit your foot and ankle surgeon on a regular basis for an examination to help prevent the foot complications of diabetes.

• Have periodic visits with your primary care physician or endocrinologist.

Answer 2

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of nerve damage related to diabetes. It is classified by pain or lack of feeling and is most commonly found in the extremities of the body, such as in the feet and hands.