Diabetic neuropathy is when the
nerves are damaged by
high blood glucose. When this happens the resulting problems are referred to as
diabetic neuropathy. This can affect you in several ways. Including damage to the
nerves controlling your
muscles,
damage to the
nerves which control your
sensory feeling and
damage to
nerves which control automatic functions such as your
heart rate.
The symptoms of
diabetic neuropathy are very varied because we have so many different
nerves. A common complaint is
hypersensitivity of the feet producing a
burning or
hot sensation. The opposite can happen where people lose sensation in the feet and the feet feel strange when walking or numb to touch. When the perception of heat is lost there is a very real danger of causing damage to your feet just by being too close to the fire or keeping your feet too long on a hot water bottle. Feet with evidence of
diabetic neuropathy therefore are at high risk of developing
ulcers, infections or traumatic damage.
The assessment of
diabetic neuropathy by your doctor is quite complex and involves a series of tests on individual
nerves and their function. A simple examination will often indicate whether there are clinical signs such as
muscle wasting or
sensory loss but often more sophisticated tests such as
nerve conduction studies are required. A
blood test is usually also requested so as to rule out the presence of
neuropathy caused by other metabolic problems such as
vitamin B12 deficiency.
The treatment of
neuropathy depends specifically on the problem presented. In all cases, however, prevention of further
neurological damage is a priority and in this respect improving the control of
blood glucose levels represents the single most effective tool. Treatment of painful
neuropathic symptoms of the feet is one of the most common problems and to do this there are a number of
analgesic strategies available.