The risk of developing diabetic peripheral neuropathy increases the longer you’ve had diabetes.
The article explains the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Diabetic neuropathy can also attack large nerves that detect touch and pressure and help you keep your balance.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
People can also experience numbness in the legs and arms.
A foot injury that is undetected can become infected.
Charcot foot affects the bones, joints, and soft tissues of the foot and ankle.
Diabetic neuropathy is the most common underlying cause.
Sensory, motor, or autonomic neuropathy, trauma, and metabolic abnormalities all contribute toCharcotfoot.
An injury that is left untreated can cause a bigger issue, such as an ulcer or infection.
It’s important to wear proper shoes and avoid walking around barefoot.
Hot and Cold Sensitivity
Nerve damage can interfere with the body’s ability to feel temperature.
An inability to feel or sense heat can increase the risk of burns.
In this case, pain can occur during everyday activities such as walking and sleeping.
Causes of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
The exact cause of peripheral neuropathy is unclear.
High blood glucose can impair the nerves' ability to transmit signals and cause chemical changes.
Elevated sugar can also damage blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves.
It’s important for people with diabetes to have their feet examined during routine medical visits.
If an issue exists, further workup may be necessary.
Treatment
Treatment protocols should be developed based on a person’s unique health history and symptoms.
Medications and other nonpharmacologic strategies can help to reduce pain and increase quality of life.
Foot Care Education
Learning how to care for your feet is important in preventing and treating neuropathy.
People with diabetes should understand how to do their own foot exams.
Inspect your feet for dry, cracked skin.
This area is very moist, and lotion can increase the risk of fungal infections.
Avoid walking around barefoot.
Wear clean, dry cotton socks.
Check your feet daily if you have a history of neuropathy or foot injury.
If you find anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, be sure to contact your doctor.
Medications
Your doctor may talk to you about starting certain medications to reduce neuropathic pain.
If you are in pain, you should seek medical treatment.
Certain medications can help to alleviate pain.
Many people with diabetes benefit from seeing apodiatrist, who specializes in foot care.
Summary
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a very common bang out of neuropathy in people with diabetes.
Screening, early detection, and treatment can help prevent and slow down the progression of the disease.
The earliest symptoms include numbness and tingling and may appear gradually.
All people with diabetes need to have their feet inspected by a medical professional.
In addition, understanding what to look for and how to inspect your own feet is important.
Reach out to your medical team to receive education and treatment based on your own personal symptoms.
Early detection and treatment can prevent further progression and reduce the risk of complication and pain.
double-check your medical team is examining your feet at your appointments.
Peripheral neuropathy generally affects the nerves in the feet, legs, hands, and arms.
But nerve function that is lost usually cannot be restored.
Unfortunately, by the time many people get diagnosed, there may be some degree of permanent damage.
Neuropathy can have many causes.
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