Diabetic Neuropathy: Types, Causes, and Symptoms
One of the most critical parameters for diabetes control is regulation of sugar consumption as high blood sugar levels can lead to nerve injuries throughout the body; this is known as Diabetic Neuropathy (DN). The condition damages the vasa nervorum (small arteries) that supply blood to the peripheral nerves. It mainly affects the legs and feet.
Diabetic Neuropathy can
be managed (even prevented) by keeping a tight control on blood glucose levels
and leading a healthy lifestyle.
In
this blog, we’ll take you through the types, causes, and symptoms of DN.
Types of Diabetic Neuropathy
The
five types of diabetic
neuropathies are:
- Peripheral - affects the legs,
hands, fingers and toes; caused by diabetes, injury, infection, or toxin
exposure
- Autonomic - affects bowel and
bladder function, sexual response, perspiration, and peripheral nerves;
caused by damage to nerves in the involuntary nervous system
- Focal - can affect any part of the
body leading to weakness in a bunch of muscles; caused by localised damage
to a single nerve or a group of nerves
- Proximal - causes pain in the
thighs, or buttocks, leading to weak legs; caused by damage to nerves and
blood vessels surrounding the nerves
- Cranial - affects feeling and
movement in face and eyes; caused by damage to any of the 12 cranial
nerves in the brain
Autonomic
neuropathy is
the most severe type of DN. It is known to cause hypoglycemia unawareness.
Causes of Diabetic Neuropathy
Below
are the various triggers associated with DN:
● Metabolic
factors - For instance high glucose and fat levels in the blood, low levels of
insulin
● Autoimmune
inflammatory factors - Leading to nerve
damage, and damaged blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the
nerves
● Mechanical
injury to nerves through trauma
● Genetics
- Hereditary weakness to nerve diseases
● Excessive
smoking
● Alcohol
abuse
Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy
Depending
on which system is affected by neuropathy, it can lead to pain, tingling,
disability, or numbness in the extremities or to problems related to the
digestive tract, the urinary system, kidneys, sex organs, blood vessels, or
heart. The symptoms range from being absent to being mild, to being fatal or
near fatal. Symptoms also usually take time to develop over years and the risk
rises with increasing duration of diabetes; about 60-70% of diabetics have
some or the other form of neuropathy, with the incidence being greatest in those
with diabetes for 25 years and above.
The
other symptoms of nerve damage (caused by DN) include:
● Wasting
of the hands and feet muscles
● Diarrhoea/constipation
● Indigestion
● Nausea
and vomiting
● Weakness
● Dizziness,
fainting spells
● Bladder
control and urinary incontinence
● Erectile
dysfunction in men
● Vaginal
dryness in women
Diabetic
neuropathy symptoms in feet,
legs, hands, and arms
● Tingling
and numbness
● Unable
to feel temperature changes
● Unable
to feel pain
● Impaired
coordination
● Shooting
or burning pains (these may intensify at night)
Diagnosing Diabetic Neuropathy
DN
can be diagnosed by checking muscle strength and reflexes, sensitivity to
temperature, light touch or vibration and blood pressure and heart rate.
Managing Diabetic
Neuropathy
Managing
DN involves maintaining normal glucose levels to prevent further nerve damage.
This can be achieved through a healthy lifestyle and being regular with
diabetic medications or insulin. Additionally, patients with DN have also been
able to manage their pain with anti-seizure medications, and several other
complications appropriately with antidepressants.
Diabetic Neuropathy care at Plexus
While
the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy may differ from person to person, living
with these symptoms is uncomfortable for everyone. At Plexus, we help you
manage your symptoms, provide relief from pain, and empower you to perform
everyday activities with ease.
Our
team of specialists headed by Dr Na’eem Sadiq, India’s foremost neurologist
will devise a customised rehabilitation programme to help you manage neuropathy and its related
symptoms.
If
you wish to know more about neuropathy rehabilitation at Plexus or have a loved
one suffering from diabetic neuropathy, then reach out to us today.
WhatsApp +91 89048 42087
Call +91 78159 64668 (Hyderabad) | +91
82299 99888 (Bangalore)
Remember,
the best way to prevent DN is always maintaining your blood sugar levels in the
safe range!
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