What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

 Diabetic neuropathy is a serious and common complication of type 1 and types 2 diabetes. This is a type of nerve damage caused by prolonged hyperglycemia. The disease usually progresses slowly, sometimes over decades.

 See a doctor if you have diabetes and feel numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in your hands or feet. These are early signs of peripheral neuropathy. The danger is usually when you don't feel pain and you have ulcers on your foot.

 In the case of severe or persistent peripheral neuropathy, you may be vulnerable to injury or infection. In severe cases, inadequate wound healing or infection can lead to amputation.

 There are different types of diabetic neuropathy that affect different parts of the body and cause different symptoms. If you have diabetes, it's important to check your blood sugar regularly and see your doctor if you have any signs of neuropathy.

 What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy?

Symptoms of neuropathy usually come on gradually. Most often, the first type of nerve injury that occurs affects the nerves in the foot. This can cause painful 'tingling' symptoms in the legs.

 Symptoms depend on the affected area. Common signs and symptoms of different types of diabetic neuropathy include:

•  Sensitivity to touch
•  loss of touch
•  Difficulty adjusting gait
•  Numbness and pain in hands and feet
•  especially at night
•  weakness or exhaustion
•  gas or gas
•  Nausea, indigestion, or vomiting
•  diarrhea or constipation
•  dizziness to getting up
•  Excessive or reduced sweating
•  Bladder problems, such as completely emptying the bladder
•  vaginal dryness
•  erectile dysfunction
•  I can't feel hypoglycemia
•  B. Visual disturbances such as diplopia
•  Increased Heart Rate

 What Causes Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy results from prolonged hyperglycemia. Other factors can lead to nerve damage, such as:

•  Damage to blood vessels due to high cholesterol levels
•  B. Mechanical injury, such as an injury due to carpal tunnel syndrome
•  Lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol use

 Low levels of vitamin B-12 can also cause neuropathy. Metformin, a common drug used to treat diabetes, can lower vitamin B-12 levels. You can ask your doctor for a simple blood test to check for vitamin deficiency.

 How Is Diabetic Neuropathy Diagnosed?

Your doctor will first determine if you have neuropathy by asking about your symptoms and history. There is also a physical examination. They check your temperature and touch sensitivity, heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tone.

 Doctors may do a filament test to test the sensitivity of the foot. To do this, they use nylon fibers to examine your limbs for sensory loss. You can use the tuning fork to test the vibration threshold. Your doctor may also test your ankle reflex.