Diabetic Neuropathy (nerve damage) About diabetic neuropathy
Symptoms
Your nerves send signals to and from your brain about what you feel. When you have diabetes, you are more likely to have nerve damage (neuropathy) because of high blood sugar (glucose) levels and reduced blood flow. The damage may be brief or long lasting.
You may have one or more of these: • a tingling or painful feeling in the legs, feet, toes, arms, hands or fingers • an upset stomach, nausea or vomiting
About half of all people with diabetes have nerve damage. It usually happens after having diabetes for 10-20 years. It is most common in those who:
• diarrhea or constipation • a faint or dizzy feeling
• have high blood pressure, high blood glucose levels or high levels of fat in their blood
• trouble urinating • impotence
• are overweight
• vaginal dryness
• are over 40 years old
• facial drooping— eyelids or mouth
There are 4 main types of neuropathy:
• muscle contractions • trouble swallowing or talking
1. Peripheral—affects the toes, feet, legs, hands and arms. 2. Autonomic—affects the heart, blood vessels, digestive and urinary systems, sex organs, eyes and sweat glands. 3. Proximal—affects the thighs, hips and buttocks.
• vision changes
4. Focal—affects the eyes, face muscles, ears, pelvis, lower back, thighs and stomach. Copyright © 2006-2012 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.
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• sweating more or less than usual Atlanta, GA
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