4 Kinds of Neuropathy that May Affect Diabetics

A common complication that comes with diabetes is diabetic neuropathy. This is damage to the nerves that register sensations in the body. Although there are many ways that diabetes can damage the nerves in the body, every one of those ways is related to blood sugar levels being too high for a long period of time. Diabetic neuropathy can be painful, but most often, the pain felt is not severe.

There are four different kinds of diabetic neuropathy that affect people with diabetes. They are called peripheral diabetic neuropathy, autonomic diabetic neuropathy, proximal diabetic neuropathy, and focal diabetic neuropathy.

Peripheral diabetic neuropathy most commonly affects the feet and legs of a person with diabetes. Nerve damage in the feet can cause a person with diabetes to lose feeling in the feet and increase the risk of other problems in the feet, Sores, cuts, or other injuries to the feet may go unnoticed because the person cannot effectively feel sensation in their feet. It is important for a person with diabetes to practice the proper foot and skin care recommendations. In some cases, peripheral diabetic neuropathy can affect other areas of the body, but this is rare. Other areas that are seldom affected by this type of neuropathy are the arms, abdomen, and back.

Signs that a diabetic person may have peripheral diabetic neuropathy are tingling sensations in the legs and feet, numbness in the legs and feet, a burning sensation in the legs and feet, and pain. If there is numbness in the legs and feet and it is severe or is long-term, the numbness can become permanent. When a burning sensation is present, it is more likely to occur in the evening hours. If caught early, the symptoms can be lessened with control of blood sugar levels.

It is important for a person with diabetes to work with their doctor to help keep blood sugar levels under control. If peripheral diabetic neuropathy is present, it is important to examine feet and legs daily to look for any sores or injuries, use lotion on the feet and legs if the skin is dry, take proper care of toenails, and care for them on a regular basis to help avoid injuries from the nails not being cared for properly, and wear shoes that fit properly all of the time. Going barefoot or wearing only socks can increase the risk of foot injuries.

Autonomic diabetic neuropathy normally affects a diabetic person's digestive system. In particular, it affects the stomach, blood vessels, urinary system, and sexual organs. Keeping blood sugar levels under control is the key to preventing this type of diabetic neuropathy.

Signs that a person with diabetes may have autonomic diabetic neuropathy are bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation, nausea, vomiting, and feeling full after very small meals. If the autonomic diabetic neuropathy is affecting the blood vessels, the person may faint when they stand too quickly, have and increased heart rate, become dizzy, or have low blood pressure. If a man has autonomic diabetic neuropathy that is affecting his sexual organs, he may be unable to become aroused or maintain an erection when he is aroused .and he may experience reduced or dry ejaculations. If the autonomic diabetic neuropathy is affecting a woman's sexual organs, she may have decreased vaginal lubrication, and less orgasms or lack or orgasms all together. If the autonomic diabetic neuropathy is affecting the urinary system, the person may have trouble completely emptying their bladder, may be bloated, experience incontinence, and may find themselves having to go to the bathroom more at night.

Eating smaller meals, avoiding standing up too quickly, wearing supportive socks, and medication are all ways that autonomic diabetic neuropathy are treated. If it involves the sexual organs, treatment for a man may include counseling, a penile implant, the use of a vacuum erection device, penile injections, or medication. For a woman, treatment may include counseling, lubricants, or vaginal estrogen creams, rings, or suppositories. If the autonomic diabetic neuropathy involves the urinary system, treatment may include medication, self-catheterization, or surgery. Controlling blood sugar levels is important in preventing this type of neuropathy.

Proximal diabetic neuropathy usually causes pain on one side of the body. It can affect the thighs, hips, or buttocks. Weakness in the legs can result. The amount of nerve damage there is greatly affects the recovery of strength. Treatment for proximal diabetic neuropathy includes physical therapy to regain strength and medication to manage pain. Keeping blood sugar levels under control can prevent proximal diabetic neuropathy.

Focal diabetic neuropathy normally affects the nerves in the head, torso, or legs. It causes muscle weakness and pain in the area it affects. Double vision, eye pain, paralysis on one side of the face, severe pain in a specific area of the body, such as the lower back or legs, chest or abdominal pain that is severe and often mistaken for a heart attack or appendicitis are all signs that a person with diabetes may have focal diabetic neuropathy. This kind of neuropathy is unpredictable and very painful. It can come on suddenly without any warning. This type of neuropathy normally improves by itself over a period of time and is not likely to cause any long -term damage to the body.

The best way for a diabetic person to prevent any type of diabetic neuropathy is to work with their doctor to keep blood sugar levels under control. Currently, this is the only known way to prevent these conditions.