Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage due to complications from diabetes. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that about 60 to 70 percent of diabetes sufferers will have some form of neuropathy. In diabetes--a disease characterized by high blood sugar levels--nerve damage can occur anywhere in the body. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy depend on which nerve is affected and on the type of diabetic neuropathy a person has. There are four types of diabetic neuropathy.
Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms
Peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves in the hands and legs. MayoClinic.com explains that it is the most common form of diabetic nerve damage. Peripheral neuropathy may affect the feet and legs before getting to the hands and arms. Symptoms of this condition include numbness or reduced sensation, particularly in the feet and toes; pain when walking; a burning or tingling feeling; and difficulty walking.
Autonomic Neuropathy Symptoms
The heart, lungs, sex organs, stomach, intestines and eyes are all controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains that diabetes affects the nerves that control these organs. This type of neuropathy is called autonomic neuropathy, and its signs are slow stomach emptying, erectile dysfunction in men, constipation, urinary incontinence, lightheadedness due to drops in blood pressure, increased heart rate when a person is at rest and not knowing that blood sugar levels are low.
Proximal Neuropathy Symptoms
Proximal neuropathy is another type of diabetic neuropathy. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that it typically affects older diabetic patients and those who suffer from type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of this kind of neuropathy usually occurs on one side of the body but may spread to the other side. Nerves close to the hips and shoulders are affected in this condition with symptoms such as needing help to go from a sitting to a standing position, unintentional weight loss, weakness in the legs, and pain in the hip, buttock or thigh.
Focal Neuropathy
Focal neuropathy is also referred to as mononeuropathy and affects one particular nerve. It usually affects the nerves in the head, legs and arms. This form of diabetic neuropathy is painful, unpredictable and happens suddenly. However, it does not cause any long term damage and is typically seen in older adults. Symptoms of focal neuropathy depend on which nerve is involved and they may include bells palsy--paralysis on one side of the face, having difficulties focusing one eye, having aches behind one eye, pain in the frontal area of the thigh and chest pain.
References
- "Diabetes: Prevention, Control, and Cure"; Seymour L. Alterman, Donald A. Kullman; 2006
- Mayo Clinic: Diabetic Neuropathy
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: NINDS Diabetic Neuropathy Information Page
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes
- "Providing Diabetes Care In General Practice: A Practical Guide To Integrated Care"; Mary MacKinnon; 2002
