Diabetic Neuropathy
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Updated: July 28, 2010
Diabetic Neuropathy
Source: American Diabetes Association
Nerve damage from diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. About half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage. It is more common in those who have had the disease for a number of years.
There are two common types of nerve damage.
Sensorimotor neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy. This can cause tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in your feet and hands.
The second is called autonomic neuropathy. This type can lead to:
- Digestive problems such as feeling full, nausea,
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
- Problems with how well your bladder works
- Problems having sex
- Dizziness or faintness
- Loss of the typical warning signs of a heart attack
- Loss of the warning signs of low blood glucose
- Increased or decreased sweating
- Changes in how your eyes react to light or dark People with diabetes can also have what is called focal neuropathy. In this kind of nerve damage, a nerve or a group of nerves is affected, causing sudden weakness and pain. It can lead to double vision, a paralysis on one side of the face called
Bell’s palsy, or pain in the front of the thigh or other parts of the body.
Source: American Diabetes Association
