Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes. The type of neuropathy occurring in the arms, hands, legs and feet is known as diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is different from peripheral arterial disease (poor circulation), which affects the blood vessels rather than the nerves.
Three different groups of nerves can be affected by diabetic neuropathy:
Sensory nerves, which enable people to feel pain, temperature, and other sensations
Motor nerves, which control the muscles and give them their strength and tone
Autonomic nerves, which allow the body to perform certain involuntary functions, such as sweating.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy doesn’t emerge overnight—instead, it usually develops slowly and worsens over time. Some patients have this condition long before they are diagnosed with diabetes. Having diabetes for several years may increase the likelihood of having diabetic neuropathy. The loss of sensation and other problems associated with nerve damage make a patient prone to developing skin ulcers (open sores) that can become infected and may not heal. This serious complication of diabetes can lead to loss of a foot, a leg, or even a life.
Signs and Symptoms
Depending on the type(s) of nerves involved, one or more signs and symptoms may be present in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
For sensory neuropathy:
Numbness or tingling in the feet
Pain or discomfort in the feet or legs—including prickly, sharp pain or burning feet
For motor neuropathy:
Muscle weakness and loss of muscle tone in the feet and lower legs
Loss of balance
Changes in foot shape that can lead to areas of increased pressure
For autonomic neuropathy:
Cracked skin
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