Diabetic neuropathy is a severe and common consequence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is a type of nerve injury that occurs gradually as a result of chronically elevated blood sugar levels. The disorder develops gradually over several years.

Different types of Diabetic Neuropathy

• Peripheral neuropathy. It is the most common form . It usually affects the feet and legs followed by hands and arms.
• Autonomic neuropathy.
  It is caused by damaged nerves that control the internal organs.
• Focal neuropathy. Causes damage to a single nerve mostly in hands, legs, head and torso.
• Proximal neuropathy. This nerve damage mostly affects one side of the body and rarely spreads to other side. It’s rare and disabling nerve damage mostly in hip, buttock or thigh. It cause severe pain and weight loss.

Common symptoms

• Numbness , tingling sensation or pain on the hands or feet.
• Footburning feeling, particularly at night.
• Loss of sensation of touch
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Insensitivity to pain or temperature changes
  
  High risk diabetic patients most likely to develop nerve damage due metabolic factors other than high glucose levels are with high cholesterol levels, high triglycerides , obese and people with inherited factors.

Complications

Due to lack of sensation in Diabetic Neuropathy injuries can occur on feet and toes leading to ulcers , wounds and chronic infections in the feet leading to amputation. Untreated cases of Diabetic Neuropathy can further damage nerves supplying the eyes, digestive tract and sexual organs.

Management

• Maintaining the blood glucose levels can prevent further damage to the nerves.
• Proper medication , healthy diet, exercise, good enough sleep, quit smoking, and maintaining body weight .
• Control of risk factors like high cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure levels.
• Proper hygiene and protection of the feet from injuries and infections.
• Proper treatment to manage symptoms like pain , numbness , burning sensation, etc.