Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes. Damage to the nerves can affect sensory, motor and autonomic functions. While diabetic neuropathy can affect a broad range of the body and its functions, “peripheral” focuses on the influence to the arms, hands, legs, and feet. This condition is different from peripheral arterial disease (poor circulation), which affects the blood vessels rather than the nerves.
Three different groups of nerves can be affected:
- Sensory nerves: Enables people to feel pain, temperature, and other sensations
- Motor nerves: Controls the muscles and gives them their strength and tone
- Autonomic nerves: Allows the body to perform certain involuntary functions, such as sweating
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy usually develops slowly and worsens over time. You may have this condition long before you are diagnosed with diabetes. Having diabetes for several years may increase the probability of having diabetic neuropathy. The loss of sensation and other problems associated with nerve damage make you prone to developing skin ulcers (open sores) that can become infected and may not heal. This serious complication of diabetes can lead to the loss of your foot, leg or even your life.
Causes
The risk of nerve damage specific to diabetic peripheral neuropathy is much higher if your diabetes is managed poorly. However, even if you have excellent blood sugar control, the risk is high. There are several theories as to why this occurs, including the possibility that high blood glucose or constricted blood vessels may damage your nerves.
As diabetic peripheral neuropathy progresses, various nerves are affected. These damaged nerves may cause problems that encourage the development of ulcers.
Symptoms
Depending on the type(s) of nerves involved, several symptoms may be present:
For sensory neuropathy:
- Numbness or tingling in the feet
- Pain or discomfort in the feet or legs, including prickly, sharp pain or burning feet
For motor neuropathy:
- Muscle weakness and Loss Of Muscle Tone
- Loss of balance
- Changes in foot shape that can lead to areas of increased pressure
For autonomic neuropathy:
- Dry feet
- Cracked skin
Burning Sensation
A burning sensation is a type of pain that’s distinct from dull, stabbing, or aching pain and is often related to nerve problems.
Changes In Skin Appearance
Changes in the appearance of your skin, such as texture or color, are a result of poor circulation in the arteries and veins.
Deformities In The Affected Area
Foot deformities are a group of congenital and acquired conditions involving structural abnormalities that may affect the bones, tendons, and muscles of your foot.
Loss Of Muscle Tone
When a disease or injury makes it difficult to move your feet or lower legs, the lack of mobility can result in a loss of muscle tone and volume.
Pain In The Calf Or Leg
There are a variety of conditions that can affect the calf muscles, as well as the blood vessels and other structures around it, causing calf or leg pain.
Potential Treatments
To diagnose diabetic peripheral neuropathy, your doctor will obtain the history of your symptoms and perform some simple in-office tests on the feet and legs. This evaluation may include assessment of your ability to feel light touch and your ability to feel vibration. In some cases, additional neurologic tests may be performed.
Medications will be provided to help relieve specific symptoms, such as tingling or burning. Sometimes, a combination of different medications is prescribed. You may need to undergo some physical therapy to help reduce balance problems or other symptoms.
