Peripheral neuropathy neuropsthy pain, typically in the hands Citrus oil for hair feet. Diabetic neuropathy in the legs neuro;athy sugar increases the risk of neuropatny diabetes complication, including nerve damage. The NIDDK and other components of the National Institutes of Health NIH support and conduct research into many diseases and conditions. Folsom, M. Your provider may give you medicines to help with problems digesting food or having a bowel movement.

Diabetic neuropathy in the legs -

Focal nerve damage affects single nerves, most often in your hand, head, torso, or leg. Keeping your blood sugar as close to your target range as possible is the best way to help prevent or delay nerve damage.

Other things you can do are:. Most people with diabetes can prevent serious nerve damage complications. Stay on schedule with all of your self-checks, exams, and appointments with a diabetes care schedule. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.

Español Other Languages. Diabetes and Nerve Damage. Español Spanish. Minus Related Pages. Nerve damage can affect your hands, feet, legs, and arms. Nerve Damage and Digestion.

Risk Factors for Nerve Damage. Anyone with diabetes can develop nerve damage, but these factors increase your risk: Blood sugar levels that are hard to manage. Having diabetes for a long time, especially if your blood sugar is often higher than your target levels.

Being overweight. Being older than Having high blood pressure. Having high cholesterol. Learn More. Diabetes and Digestion Diabetes Care Schedule Diabetes and Your Feet CDC Diabetes on Facebook CDCDiabetes on Twitter. Page last reviewed: June 20, Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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There are different types of diabetic neuropathy that affect different areas of your body, causing a variety of symptoms. In many cases, the first type of nerve damage to occur involves the nerves of the feet.

Symptoms vary depending on the areas affected. Common signs and symptoms of the different types of diabetic neuropathy include:. The term neuropathy is used to describe several types of nerve damage.

In people with diabetes, there are four main types of neuropathy. The most common form of neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy usually affects the feet and legs, but it can also affect the arms or hands.

Symptoms are varied and can be mild to severe. They include:. If you have peripheral neuropathy, you may not feel an injury or sore on your foot. People with diabetes often have poor circulation , which makes it more difficult for wounds to heal. This combination increases the risk of infection.

In extreme cases, infection can lead to amputation. The second most common type of neuropathy in people with diabetes is autonomic neuropathy. The autonomic nervous system runs other systems in your body over which you have no conscious control. Many organs and muscles are controlled by it, including your:.

Nerve damage to the digestive system may cause :. Gastroparesis causes a delay in digestion, which can worsen over time, leading to frequent nausea and vomiting.

Delayed digestion often makes it more difficult to control blood glucose levels, too, with frequently alternating high and low readings. Also, symptoms of hypoglycemia , such as sweating and heart palpitations, can go undetected in people with autonomic neuropathy.

This can mean not noticing when you have low blood sugar, increasing the risk of a hypoglycemic emergency.

Autonomic neuropathy may also cause sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, or difficulty achieving orgasm. Neuropathy in the bladder can cause incontinence or make it difficult to fully empty your bladder.

Damage to the nerves that control your heart rate and blood pressure can make them respond more slowly. You may experience a drop in blood pressure and feel light-headed or dizzy when you stand up after sitting or lying down, or when you exert yourself.

Autonomic neuropathy can also cause an abnormally fast heart rate. Autonomic neuropathy can make it difficult to identify some of the symptoms of a heart attack. If you have autonomic neuropathy, you should know the other symptoms of a heart attack , including :.

A rare form of neuropathy is proximal neuropathy, also known as diabetic amyotrophy. This form of neuropathy is more common in adults over 50 years old with type 2 diabetes and is diagnosed more often in men. It often affects the hips, buttocks, or thighs.

You may experience sudden and sometimes severe pain. Muscle weakness in your legs may make it difficult to stand up without assistance. Diabetic amyotrophy usually affects only one side of the body.

After the onset of symptoms, they usually get worse and then eventually begin to improve slowly. Most people recover within a few years, even without treatment. This occurs most often in your hand, head, torso, or leg. It appears suddenly and is usually very painful.

Like proximal neuropathy, most focal neuropathies go away in a few weeks or months and leave no lasting damage. The most common type is carpal tunnel syndrome. Diabetic neuropathy is caused by high blood sugar levels sustained over a long period of time.

Other factors can lead to nerve damage such as:. Low levels of vitamin B12 can also lead to neuropathy. Metformin, a common medication used to manage diabetes, can decrease levels of vitamin B You can ask a doctor for a simple blood test to identify any vitamin deficiencies.

A doctor will determine whether or not you have neuropathy, starting by asking about your symptoms and medical history. A doctor may do a filament test to test the sensitivity in your feet.

A tuning fork may be used to test your vibration threshold. A doctor may also test your ankle reflexes. In some cases, they may also perform a nerve conduction study , which can assess nerve damage by measuring the speed and strength of nerve signals.

Keeping your blood sugar levels within a healthy range is the best way to decrease the likelihood of developing diabetic neuropathy or slow its progression.

It can also relieve some symptoms. Quitting smoking , if applicable, and exercising regularly are also parts of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Always talk with a doctor or healthcare professional before beginning a new fitness routine. You may also ask a doctor about complementary treatments or supplements for neuropathy. Medications may be used to treat pain caused by diabetic neuropathy. Talk with a doctor about the available medications and their potential side effects.

Several medications have been shown to help with symptoms. You may also want to consider alternative therapies such as acupuncture. Some research has found capsaicin to be helpful. Alternative therapies may provide additional relief when used in conjunction with medication.

Depending on your type of neuropathy, a doctor can suggest medications, therapies, or lifestyle changes that may help deal with symptoms and ward off complications.

For example, if you have problems with digestion as a result of your neuropathy, a doctor may suggest you eat smaller meals more often and limit the amount of fiber and fat in your diet. If you have vaginal dryness, a doctor may suggest a lubricant.

Story by: Norton Neueopathy Reviewed by Lisal J. Folsom, M. Diabetic neuropathy in the legs July 7, Diabetic neuropathy occurs Paleo diet meal plan high elgs sugar levels damage nerves — often in the nsuropathy and feet — resulting in pain and numbness. Diabetic neuropathy has no known cure, but treatment can bring relief and slow the progression of nerve damage. Monitoring and maintaining your blood sugar within the target range with guidance from your endocrinologist or primary care provider are the first steps in preventing and slowing the progression of nerve damage. Diabetic Electrolyte Replenishment is nerve damage Djabetic can occur in people Diabetif diabetes. Different types of nerve damage cause different symptoms. Symptoms pegs range from Diabetic neuropathy in the legs inn numbness in your Diabetic neuropathy in the legs to problems with the functions of your internal organs, such as your heart and bladder. Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that is caused by diabetes. Over time, high blood glucose levels, also called blood sugar, and high levels of fats, such as triglycerides, in the blood from diabetes can damage your nerves. Symptoms depend on which type of diabetic neuropathy you have.

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Diabetic Neuropathy - Neuropathy Test - न्यूरोपैथी - Foot Pain - Diabetes Feet - BeatO