Timeframe for the onset of diabetic neuropathy.
Diabetic neuropathy, a complication of diabetes, is a condition that arises from prolonged exposure to high blood sugar levels. It can manifest in several forms, each with distinct symptoms. Here, we explore the common types of diabetic neuropathy and their symptoms.
Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common types of diabetic neuropathy. It typically begins in the feet and can spread upward, affecting sensation and movement in the hands, feet, arms, and legs. Symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in these areas. If left unmanaged, it can lead to serious mobility issues.
Autonomic neuropathy is another type of diabetic neuropathy that impacts internal organs such as the bladder, heart, and digestive system. Symptoms can range from urinary retention or incontinence, orthostatic hypotension, gastroparesis, or constipation. This type of neuropathy can cause a variety of systemic issues affecting the autonomic nervous system.
Proximal neuropathy affects the muscles in the hips, thighs, buttocks, or lower back, causing significant mobility problems. It often occurs on one side of the body but can spread. Symptoms include muscle weakness and pain.
Focal neuropathy affects specific nerves, such as those in the face, torso, or leg. It can cause pain or weakness in a specific area and is characterised by sudden pain or weakness in a specific area.
Common symptoms across all types of diabetic neuropathy include pain or burning sensations, numbness or tingling, weakness in affected areas, imbalance or coordination issues.
The goals of managing diabetic neuropathy are to slow its progression, relieve pain, restore function, and prevent complications. This may involve medication, lifestyle changes, and non-pharmacological interventions like physiotherapy.
Diabetic neuropathy is caused by high glucose levels in the bloodstream damaging nerves throughout the body. Symptoms typically develop slowly over time and a doctor diagnoses diabetic neuropathy by asking a series of questions, taking a full medical history, performing a physical exam, and ordering tests such as nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG).
Proximal neuropathy is rare and often very painful, while focal neuropathies affect single nerves and can cause trapped nerves, resulting in symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and more. Cranial neuropathies, a type of focal neuropathy, can cause facial paralysis on one side, double vision, pain behind one eye, and problems focusing the eyes.
Diabetic neuropathy can develop shortly into a person's diabetes condition, but it is more common for it to develop after several years. Treating diabetes may help manage symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, including avoiding smoking, avoiding alcohol, getting enough regular physical activity, maintaining a moderate weight, and learning about medications for diabetic neuropathy.
Autonomic neuropathy affects the internal organs and can cause symptoms such as feeling lightheaded, fainting, digestive issues, bladder infections, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, excessive sweating, impaired vision, and more.
Diabetic neuropathy can progress at different times depending on the type of damage a person has, it may progress quickly or more slowly over many years. Approximately half of adults with diabetes will develop diabetic neuropathy in their lifetime.
To prevent or delay diabetic neuropathy, it is recommended to keep blood glucose levels close to their target range, manage blood pressure, get enough regular physical activity, avoid drinking alcohol, maintain a moderate weight, and avoid smoking.
- Diabetic neuropathy, a complication arising from diabetes and characterized by high blood sugar levels damaging nerves, can manifest in various forms such as peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, proximal neuropathy, and focal neuropathy.
- Peripheral neuropathy, one of the most common types, typically originates in the feet and impacts sensation and movement in the hands, feet, arms, and legs, causing symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness.
- Autonomic neuropathy, which affects internal organs, can lead to a range of systemic issues including urinary retention or incontinence, orthostatic hypotension, gastroparesis, and constipation.
- Chronic health-and-wellness conditions like diabetic neuropathy, associated with chronic diseases, require management to slow progression, relieve pain, restore function, and prevent complications. This management may involve medication, lifestyle changes, and non-pharmacological interventions like physiotherapy.
