Diabetic neuropathy may develop at any time in your life. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further complications and nerve damage.
Our foot and ankle surgeons at the Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center are expertly trained in all forms of diabetic foot care. You can call us or make an appointment online. We have convenient locations throughout Greater Columbus, Ohio.
Visiting an orthopedic surgeon doesn’t mean that surgery is necessary. Our orthopedic doctors always prefer to use non-surgical procedures to treat injuries.
“My appointment was scheduled surprisingly quickly and the rep. was very helpful with my work schedule. Check-in was quick and easy. Everyone was professional and friendly. The procedure that I need to have done was explained clearly and completely. Over-all very good experience. I highly recommend!” — Valerie
Neuropathy is a condition that can develop from diabetes. Neuropathy is a term used to define nerve damage. Diabetes can cause damage to the peripheral nerves that provide sensation and control movement. This is sometimes referred to as peripheral neuropathy.
When you have diabetes, it’s possible to develop nerve problems at any time. Sometimes nerve damage can be the first sign of diabetes. You may develop significant nerve problems within 10 years after being diagnosed with diabetes. The longer you have diabetes, the higher the risk of developing neuropathy. Neuropathy is present in about half of the people who have diabetes.
There are a few different types of diabetic neuropathy. Each type has various symptoms according to how many nerves are affected and where the affected nerves are.
Focal neuropathy affects one nerve at a time. The symptoms will appear in the area of the affected nerve.
Some of the symptoms of focal neuropathy include the following:
This type of diabetic neuropathy is when more than one of the peripheral sensory and motor nerves are affected. It could cause symptoms in any of the nerves that extend from your spinal cord, including your arms or hands. However, the most common nerves to be affected are those that extend from your spine to your feet.
DPN can cause the following symptoms:
The loss of sensation in the extremities can lead to the following problems:
DPN can also be divided into two distinct types – diabetic autonomic neuropathy and proximal neuropathy.
This type of DPN affects the autonomic nerves that are found in your internal organs. This type of neuropathy can affect the nerves of your digestive system, urinary tract or sexual organs, and sweat glands.
Symptoms of diabetic autonomic neuropathy include the following:
Proximal neuropathy affects about 1% of those who have type 2 diabetes. It is more common among older adults.
The main symptom of proximal neuropathy is nerve pain in the upper thigh. It can also be felt in the hip and lower back. Other symptoms include the following:
A proper diagnosis is essential as this type of diabetic neuropathy has similar symptoms to many other conditions.
There seem to be several factors that may contribute towards diabetic neuropathy. The following list highlights some of the causes.
If you suspect diabetic neuropathy, you should seek out an early diagnosis. Treatment will help prevent further damage.
Your doctor will likely use a variety of diagnosis methods, including the following:
You may also require the following tests to rule out any other causes of your symptoms:
Treating diabetic neuropathies involves two strategies. First, your doctor will try controlling diabetes with lifestyle changes and sometimes medications. Secondly, your doctor will manage pain and treat any other conditions. The following outlines some of these treatment strategies:
Lifestyle factors can help to reduce blood sugar levels and control other risk factors. This could include trying the following:
As mentioned before, diabetes neuropathy can cause chronic pain and other complications such as urinary or sexual problems, gastrointestinal problems, dizziness, and weakness. Treatments for these symptoms include the following:
Your doctor will select the best treatment for your symptoms according to the severity of your condition.
Unfortunately, nerve damage cannot be reversed. The best course of action is treatment to prevent diabetic neuropathy from getting worse. High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves, so reducing them can help prevent further damage.
Our foot and ankle surgeons at the Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center are expertly trained in all forms of treatments, including diabetic foot care. Call us today or make an appointment online. We have convenient locations throughout Greater Columbus, OH.
Medically reviewed by Terrence M. Philbin, DO
