Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage caused by diabetes.¹ High blood sugar levels injure small blood vessels supplying the nerve fibres, leading to nerve damage.² Nerve fibres throughout the body can be damaged, but this condition commonly affects nerves in the legs and feet.¹

Although diabetic neuropathy is a serious complication, it can be prevented, or its progression can be slowed with good blood sugar control and a healthy lifestyle.¹

What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy?

Symptoms depend on¹:

• The type of neuropathy
• The affected nerves

Main types of neuropathy:

1. Sensory

• Damage to the nerves which detect touch, temperature and
  pain. Commonly affects the feet and legs, but can also
  affect the arms and hands²
• Symptoms^2,3:
  • Tingling and prickling sensation (pins and needles)
  • Numbness, reduced ability to feel pain (or) temparature changes
  • Loss of coordination
  • Burning or shooting pains
  • Pain from stimuli that do not usually cause pain at all, eg, light touch
• Loss of feeling in the feet—not realizing this is dangerous, because minor
  injuries may go unnoticed. Untreated minor injuries can progress to infections,
  ulcers or gangrene. Infections that spread and cause tissue death can
  become untreatable and may require toe, foot or lower leg amputation^1,2

2. Autonomic

• Affects the nerves to your organs and glands which control involuntary actions such as digestion, heart rate, sexual function²
• Can lead to^1,2:
  • Slow stomach emptying. Symptoms include bloating,
    nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation or diarrhoea
  • Inability to control the bladder
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Excessive or reduced sweating
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Problems with body temperature regulation
  • Lack of awareness of low blood sugar levels
  • Low blood pressure, making you feel faint or dizzy after sitting
    or standing

3. Motor

• Damage to nerves controlling muscle movement²
• Can lead to^2,3:
  • Muscle weakness, resulting in falls or problems with tasks
  • Muscle thinning, whereby the lack of activity causes loss of muscle tissue
  • Muscle twitching and cramps
  • Foot drop, ie, difficulty lifting the front part of the foot