Diabetic Neuropathy: Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors and Prevention

Table of Content

• Types and Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

• Risk Factors for Diabetic Neuropathy

• Diabetic Neuropathy Complications

• Diabetic Neuropathy Prevention

• When to See a Doctor?

• Take-Home Points

• FAQ on Diabetic Neuropathy

Introduction

Diabetes had been a pandemic for the past decade but made fewer headlines than the COVID pandemic. But this does not mean that diabetes can be taken less seriously. Diabetes should be taken as seriously as we all have taken the virus. Diabetes can seem harmless in the initial stages but they slowly kill you by damaging your organs and nervous systems. One such effect is diabetic neuropathy where your nerves get affected resulting in various sensations like pain, numbness, tingling and burning. In this article, you will learn about the symptoms, types and ways to prevent diabetic neuropathy. 

Types and Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

There are various types of neuropathy depending on the location of the damaged nerve fibres. Here are those neuropathic types and symptoms, 

• Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy usually occurs in the feet, legs, arms, abdomen, and back. Below are some of the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, 

1. Numbness

2. Tingling

3. Burning

4. Pain

• Autonomic neuropathy

It usually affects the digestive system (stomach), blood vessels, urinary system and sex organs. Here are the symptoms of autonomic neuropathy, 

1. Feeling full after small meals

2. Vomiting

3. Nausea

4. Heartburn

5. Diarrhea

6. Constipation

7. Bloating

• Proximal neuropathy (diabetic polyradiculopathy)

Proximal neuropathy usually occurs in the thighs, hips, or buttocks. Here are the symptoms,

1. Weakness in thighs/buttocks

2. Pain in hips/buttocks/thighs

• Mononeuropathy (focal neuropathy)

It affects specific nerves in the head, torso, or leg causing pain and weakness. Here are the symptoms of focal neuropathy,

1. Eye pain

2. Double vision

3. Chest or belly pain

4. Severe back pains

5. Paralysis on one side of the face (Bell's palsy)

Risk Factors for Diabetic Neuropathy

Though diabetes is the primary cause of diabetic neuropathy, various other risk factors can initiate or aggravate the condition. Here are some of the common risk factors, 

• Diabetes history

If diabetes is left untreated for a long time, you can be easily affected by diabetic neuropathy. 

• Being overweight

Having a BMI of more than 25 can increase the risk of getting diabetic neuropathy. 

• Smoking

Since smoking constricts the arteries and makes the blood supply difficult, the wounds take a lot of time to heal and can aggravate diabetic neuropathy.

• Kidney disease

Having kidney damage makes it difficult for the blood to filter out toxins, thereby affecting the nerves. 

• Poor blood sugar control

Having high blood sugars without proper treatment can trigger and aggravate nerve damage.

Diabetic Neuropathy Complications

Diabetic neuropathy doesn't stop with just affecting your nervous system. It would open up a series of new complications that would affect other organ systems,

• Hypoglycemia awareness

Hypoglycemia usually causes symptoms like shakiness, sweating and a fast heartbeat but if you are affected by diabetic neuropathy, you would not sense these symptoms. 

• Sharp drops in blood pressure

Nerve damages affect your body's ability to regulate blood pressure, thereby causing regular fainting and lightheadedness. 

• Urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence

Nerve damage can affect your ability to withhold or pass urine. If you are not emptying your bladder or holding urine for a long time, it can lead to bacteria buildup and cause bladder infections. 

• Sexual dysfunction

It can damage the nerves that affect the sex organs causing erectile dysfunction in men and difficulty in vaginal wetness in women.

• Increased or decreased sweating

Nerve damage can damage sweat glands and make thermoregulation difficult for your body.  

• Losing your toes

Losing your nervous sensations can turn even your minor injuries into serious infections, causing foot or toe amputations. 

Diabetic Neuropathy Prevention

Though the effects of diabetic neuropathy can't be reversed, you can manage the symptoms well through certain lifestyle changes like, 

• Blood sugar management

Blood sugars are the real antagonists in causing ill effects on your nervous system. Sugars in your blood reduce the capability and functionality of your nerves, making you lose sensations and nerve signals. So, the best and most effective way to stay away from diabetic neuropathy is to manage your blood sugars at optimum levels. Have regular health checkups which help you in knowing your fitness status and blood sugar levels. 

• Proper foot care

Having proper foot care is very essential if you have diabetic neuropathy. There are higher probabilities of serious infection since the pain sensations are reduced (due to damaged nerves) and minor cuts may turn to pus-filled wounds in no time. If the infections are serious enough, you may need to amputate your foot. For avoiding all these, you need to check your foot regularly and take care of them properly. Here are some tips to keep your foot insulated from diabetic neuropathy, 

1. Wear shoes that fit well.

2. Take care of your toenails.

3. Use lotion on your feet for reducing dryness. 

4. Check your feet and legs daily.

5. Avoid standing up too quickly or for too long. 

6. Don't Walk on bare feet, especially in the hot sun. 

When to See a Doctor?

Though you can just have proper blood sugar control to manage neuropathy, you need regular medical checkups. You have to immediately consult your endocrinologist if you are having,

• Unusual tingling

• Weakness in your limbs

• Pain in feet or limbs

Take-Home Points

• Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that occurs due to high blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. 

• Diabetic history, obesity, kidney diseases, and smoking habits are the risk factors for diabetic neuropathy. 

• There are four types of neuropathy - peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, proximal neuropathy and mononeuropathy. 

• Having proper foot care and blood sugar management can prevent diabetic neuropathy.

References

• Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy

• Management of Diabetic Neuropathy