The Facts on Diabetic Neuropathy

byWilliam Quick, M.D. Health Professional

Diabetic neuropathies area family of nerve disorders caused by diabetes. People with diabetes can, over time, develop nerve damage throughout the body. Some people with nerve damage have no symptoms. Others may have symptoms such as pain, tingling, or numbness-loss of feeling-in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Nerve problems can occur in every organ system, including the digestive tract, heart, and sex organs.

Diabetes is a main cause of neuropathy in the feet and legs

Diabetes tends to damage nerves in the feet and legs and, less often, the hands and arms.

Source:Diabetic Nerve Pain: Are You at Risk?byDr. Bill Quick

Not all neuropathy is painful

Damaged nerves can cause nonpainful symptoms or painful symptoms.

Source:Diabetic Nerve Pain: Are You at Risk?byDr. Bill Quick

Medications can't "cure" nerve damage

Although medications won't undo or stop nerve damage, they can helpmanagediabetic nerve pain.

Source:Diabetic Nerve Pain: Are You at Risk?byDr. Bill Quick

Diabetic nerve pain isn't caused by one type of diabetes

Diabetic nerve pain can affect people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Source:Diabetic Nerve Pain: Are You at Risk?byDr. Bill Quick

The cause of diabetic nerve pain isn't well known

While we know chronically high blood sugars play a part in diabetic neuropathy, we do not yet know what exactly causes this often painful nerve damage.

Source:Diabetic Nerve Pain: Are You at Risk?byDr. Bill Quick

Diabetic neuropathy affects older people

About 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy. People with diabetes can develop nerve problems at any time, but risk rises with age and longer duration of diabetes. The highest rates of neuropathy are among people who have had diabetes for at least 25 years.

Source: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.糖尿病神经病变:神经哒mage of Diabetes. (2009, Feb.)

Diabetes isn't always the cause of nerve pain

Vitamin deficiencies and alcoholism are other causes of nerve pain.

Source:Diabetic Nerve Pain: Are You at Risk?byDr. Bill Quick

William Quick, M.D.
Meet Our Writer
William Quick, M.D.

Bill Quick, M.D., is a physician who lives with diabetes. He is the editor of www.D-is-for-Diabetes.com and a past president of the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Dr. Quick wrote about diabetes for HealthCentral.