Neuropathy is nerve damage or nerve disease.
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes.
Types of Diabetic neuropathy:
1. Peripheral Neuropathy:
The nerves in the feet and lower leg are affected most commonly. This type can get worse with age and cause serious problems.
2. Autonomic Neuropathy:
This is damage to Autonomic nerves, which control functions like heartbeat, blood pressure, sweating, digestion, urination and sexual function.
3. Focal Neuropathy:
This happens suddenly and affects only one nerve in wrist, thigh or foot. It may affect nerves that control your eye muscles and those of the back and chest.
Symptoms:
Depends on which nerves are injured.
Mostly symptoms are associated with problems of digestion, urination,body temperature,erection and vaginal dryness.
Almost half of diabetics will end up getting diabetic neuropathy. So its important to maintain the blood sugar levels to normal or near normal and by staying at a healthy weight and eating healthy foods.
Some patients with nerve damage have no symptoms while others may have symptoms such as pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. People who have had diabetes for 25 years display them more often
How is diabetic neuropathy diagnosed?
A thorough foot exam is recommended every year which assess the skin,circulation,muscles,bone and sensation in the feet.
People diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy need more frequent foot exams.
Patients are advised to protect their feet for any untoward injury by wearing appropriate footwear.
