What is diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can happen with diabetes and most often damages nerves in the legs and feet. Depending on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy symptoms may include pain and numbness in the legs, feet and hands. It can also cause problems with the digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels and heart. Some people have mild symptoms, but for others, diabetic neuropathy can be painful and disabling.
What causes diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
While the exact cause of each type of neuropathy is unknown, this complication is caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels that are damaging to the nerves over time.
What are symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
Overtime, patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy can expect to see one or more of the following symptoms:
- Reduced sensation or numbers in the legs and feet
- A tingling or burning sensation
- Shooting or sharp pains
- Muscle weakness
- Deformities or changes in foot shape
How is diabetic peripheral neuropathy diagnosed?
To best diagnose diabetic peripheral neuropathy, your doctor will perform a physical exam in addition to evaluating your medical history. Your health provider will check your muscle strength and tone, your tendon reflexes and your sensitivity to touch, pain, temperature, as well as vibrations.
In addition to a physical exam, your healthcare provider may perform order other specific testing, like:
- Filament testing to test sensitivity to touch
- Sensory testing to tell how the nerves respond to vibration and fluctuation in temperature
- Nerve conduction testing to tell how quickly the nerves in the arms and legs conduct electrical signals
- Electromyography, which is also known as needle testing, to measure electrical discharges produced in your muscles
- Autonomic testing, which determines how your blood pressure changes while in different positions and gauges sweating, too
What are treatment options for diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
Commonly prescribed treatment plans for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy focus heavily on managing symptoms and preventing further damage to the nerves. These efforts can include:
- Managing blood sugar levels to prevent the progression of neuropathy and further nerve damage.
- Pain management via medications, physical therapy and other therapies like acupuncture to combat the pain associated with this complication.
- Proper foot care, which includes daily inspections of the feet and wearing comfortable shoes.
- Certain lifestyle modifications may be necessary to manage other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Reducing these risk factors can help improve the patient’s overall wellbeing, and the health of their nerves.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can greatly impact a patient’s quality of life and can lead to further complications, including infections, foot ulcers and, in serious cases, amputation if not managed correctly.