Facts About Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, is a common problem for many diabetics. Nerves can be damaged throughout your body, but the most commonly damaged nerves are in your legs and feet.

The Facts

• Diabetic neuropathy is the most common serious complication of diabetes. It can lead to serious pain and disability, but progress can often be slowed with glucose control and a healthy lifestyle.

Symptoms

• The most common form of diabetic neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage to your hands and feet. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include numbness, tingling and pain in hands and feet. Other types of neuropathy can lead to a wide variety of symptoms, including digestive disturbances, bladder problems, problems regulating body temperature and double vision.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Long-term exposure of high blood glucose can lead to nerve damage. Genetic factors can make some people more susceptible to nerve damage than others. Smoking and alcohol abuse are also risk factors for diabetic neuropathy.

Treatment

• Treatment for diabetic neuropathy strives to slow the progression of the disease, manage pain and prevent complications. Effective pain relief is one of the most difficult parts of treatment, because what works for one patient may not work for another.

Prevention/Solution

• Keeping tight control of your blood glucose level is the most important thing you can do to prevent worsening of diabetic neuropathy. In addition, make healthy food choices, stay active and don't smoke.