Diabetes can destroy the nerves anywhere in the body. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy develops over time and becomes progressively worse. There is no cure. Peripheral neuropathy affects the extremities, and occurs in older patients suffering from years of diabetes. Symptoms are worse for obese individuals, and it is associated with consistently high blood sugar levels. Hypertension is also a risk that leads to the development of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Numbness
An early symptom of diabetic neuropathy includes numbness in the toes, feet, hands or fingers. The National Information Diabetes Clearinghouse (NIDC) advises that 60 to 70 percent of diabetics have some form of neuropathy, making it important to control the risk factors through compliance with medications, lifestyle and diet. Numbness and tingling can progress to more troublesome symptoms.
Muscle Weakness and Deterioration
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy causes muscle wasting and weakness. Elderly diabetics with neuropathy can experience muscle wasting in the feet, making it difficult to walk and increasing the risk of falls. Other muscles can also deteriorate and cause generalized weakness from nerve damage.
Pain
Sharp, jabbing, aching, burning and "prickly" type pains occur in individuals with diabetic neuropathy. Some individuals experience shooting pains that affect the hands, arms, feet and legs. The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging explains that the pain is often worse at night, making it difficult for affected individuals to obtain quality sleep.
Loss of Sensation
Numbness and tingling that are early signs of neuropathy can progress to complete loss of sensation. The result is increased risk of injury to extremities, especially the feet, that can lead to amputations from injury and poor wound healing. Nerve damage that can accompany diabetes destroys the ability to feel heat, cold, touch and pain.
Considerations
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy symptoms usually begin in the toes. See your physician at the first sign of symptoms. Symptoms of tingling, pain or burning can signal poor blood sugar control. Once nerve damage occurs it can progress, leading to disability and dire complications. Medications and good blood sugar control could prevent peripheral diabetic neuropathy from progressing. It is also important for diabetics to engage in regular examination of the feet to ensure there are no open wounds or infection that could result in amputation. Diabetic shoes should be considered that protect the feet for individuals suffering from symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
