By definition, diabetic neuropathy consists of several nerve disorders that can result from diabetes. The symptoms of this ailment can induce pain, numbness, complete loss of feeling in limbs and extremities, or can in some cases show no apparent symptoms at all. It’s estimated that roughly 65% of diabetics will develop some form of neuropathy in their lifetime.

Neuropathy usually affects the feet and legs of diabetics before moving on to other areas. Since one of the main results of this ailment is losing sensation in the feet, the chances of a diabetic injuring their foot without realizing it increase substantially. Unrecognized sores could become infected, and if still left untreated may require the foot or leg to be amputated.

What Are The Causes Of Neuropathy?
While neuropathy can develop at any stage of diabetes, it’s more common in people who have had diabetes for an extended number of years. This is because nerve damage usually happens slowly over time. Most people suffering from neuropathy don’t start feeling symptoms right away, and the affliction only becomes apparent after the numbness sets in.

The nerve damage is the result of having high blood sugar levels for a prolonged period of time. However, nerve damage has also been attributed to other factors, which include:

• Obesity, or excess body fat
• Smoking or alcohol abuse
• Low insulin levels
• Inherited nerve disease traits

Not all of these causes are conclusive, as many people engage these factors without developing any symptoms of neuropathy. It’s thought more through a combination of continuous high blood glucose exposure and these other elements that nerve damage occurs.

Symptoms Of Neuropathy

There are different forms of neuropathy, and the nerves that get affected can be from various points in the body. It’s a common misconception that only the nerves in the feet and legs can be damaged, a myth that probably formed due to the fact that the first symptoms almost always include numbness in the feet and legs. Other bodily areas that can be affected and various symptoms can include:

• Numbness in arms, fingers and hands
• Sudden drops in blood pressure, resulting in dizziness and nausea
• Urination problems, diarrhea and indigestion
• Deterioration of muscles in the hands and feet
• Erectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness

Types of Neuropathy

There are several kinds of neuropathy, all of which affect different sectors of the body.

• Peripheral Neuropathy- associated with the loss of feeling in the feet, toes, hands, legs and arms. This is the most common form of neuropathy.
• Focal Neuropathy- Causes sets of nerves to suddenly suffer from weakness or pain. It can target any specific set of nerves. Differs from other forms of neuropathy because it can cause sudden and severe pain, as opposed to the gradual loss of feeling associated with the other forms. Can blur eyesight, cause stomach, back and pelvis pain, and even cause half of your face to become paralyzed in some cases.
• Autonomic Neuropathy- this form can attack internal organs. The nerves damaged can inhibit sexual activity, lung function, regular eye function, and bowel and bladder functions. More severely, it can also negatively affect your blood pressure by damaging the nerves that serve your heart. Autonomic neuropathy is also notorious for cloaking low blood glucose levels, and thus making it harder to detect hypoglycemia.
• Proximal Neuropathy- causes pain or numbness in the buttocks, thighs or hips, and eventually weakens the legs all together.

Can Neuropathy Be Avoided?

One of the only preventative measures you can take against neuropathy is to keep your blood sugar levels as close to the normal range as you can. Keeping a healthy blood glucose level will help protect nerves throughout your entire body.

To get more information about neuropathy, the preventative measures you can take against it, and available treatment for symptoms, please fill out the evaluation form below. You’ll be contacted by one of our experienced representatives shortly with more information about your specific circumstances, informative facts about the diabetes ethnic population, and how best to avoid severe complications.