Fact Sheet
Diabetic
Neuropathy
W h at i s d i abe ti c
n eur o pathy?
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage from high blood glucose
(sugar) levels in people with diabetes. Nerves throughout the
body can suffer damage. People with poor glucose control and
who have had diabetes for a long time are at highest risk for
nerve damage.
D i d y o u kn o w?
About 60 to 70 percent of people who have
had diabetes for many years have some form of
nerve damage, but not everyone has symptoms.
What are the types and symptoms
of diabetic neuropathy?
The most common types of diabetic neuropathy are those that
affect the limbs and those that affect organs and muscles inside
the body.
The first type (called distal polyneuropathy or DPN) affects the
sensitivity of your feet, legs, hands, and arms. It also can affect
the movement of your limbs. Symptoms of DPN include
Pain, tingling, and burning
Numbness and loss of feeling
Muscle weakness
Skin ulcers (open sores)
About half of people who have DPN might not have symptoms,
except for losing feeling in their feet. Because of this feeling
loss, they could injure their feet and not know it. Untreated
foot injuries can lead to ulcers and infection and, sometimes,
amputation.
The second type (called autonomic neuropathy) affects your
urinary tract, digestive system, sex organs, sweat glands, eyes,
and heart. Symptoms of autonomic neuropathy include
Bladder problems (loss of bladder control, not being able to
fully empty the bladder, frequent urinary tract infections)
Digestive system problems (bloating, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, constipation)
Erectile dysfunction in men and sexual problems in women
Too much or too little sweating
Dizziness when you stand up
How is diabetic neuropathy
diagnosed?
Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your
symptoms. You should be checked once a year for DPN, or more
often if you have foot problems. The doctor will check for loss of
feeling in your feet by seeing whether you can feel light touch,
pinpricks, and vibrations from a tuning fork. You might have tests
to see how well your nerves are working. Your doctor will also
make sure you dont have other conditions, such as blood flow
problems or a vitamin deficiency.
When to See Your Doctor
Questions to ask your doctor
See your doctor as soon as possible if you have
Frequent numbness or pain in your feet, legs, hands,
or arms
An ulcer (sore) on your foot or leg that isnt healing
A foot or leg infection
Digestive problems
Problems with urination or sexual function
Dizziness when you stand
Do I have nerve damage from diabetes?
What kind of nerve damage do I have?
Is the nerve damage permanent or
temporary?
Do I need treatment for my nerve damage?
Should I see a podiatrist?
Should I see a diabetes educator?
What treatments are available
for diabetic neuropathy?
Good blood glucose control (keeping blood glucose from
being too high or too low) may prevent further nerve damage
but usually cant reverse damage thats already happened.
Your doctor may prescribe medicines for pain that occurs with
some types of nerve damage, and suggest certain vitamins
if needed.
How can you prevent problems
from diabetic neuropathy?
The best way to prevent damage is to keep your blood glucose
level under good control. You can do so by eating a healthy
diet, exercising regularly, and reaching a healthy weight.
Avoiding smoking and limiting alcoholic beverages can also
help. Your doctor or diabetes educator can help you plan your
healthy lifestyle.
You also can do a lot to prevent leg ulcers and amputations.
Protect your feet by
Checking them every day
Always wearing shoes (or slippers) and clean, dry socks
Choosing shoes that are comfortable and fit well
Seeing a podiatrist (foot doctor) for foot care if you
need help
Resources
Find-an-Endocrinologist: www.hormone.org or
call 1-800-HORMONE (1-800-467-6663)
Find a diabetes educator (American Association of Diabetes
Educators): www.diabeteseducator.org/DiabetesEducation/
Find.html
Find a podiatrist (American Podiatric Medical Association):
http://iweb.apma.org/buyersguide/professionalsearch.aspx
Hormone Health Network diabetes information:
www.hormone.org/diabetes
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
(National Institutes of Health-NIH):
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_
nerves/index.aspx
National Diabetes Education Program (NIH):
http://ndep.nih.gov/publications/PublicationDetail.
aspx?PubId=67&redirect=true
MedlinePlus (NIH): www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
diabeticnerveproblems.html
The American Diabetes Association: www.diabetes.org/
living-with-diabetes/complications/neuropathy/
Mayo Clinic: www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetic-neuropathy/
DS01045
Tips for Good Foot Care
Wash and dry your feet and check them every day.
Look for blisters, calluses, bruises, redness, swelling,
cracked skin, sores, or cuts
Cut your nails once a week or as needed.
Put lotion on dry skin but not between your toes.
Editors
Silvio Inzucchi, MD
Julio Rosenstock, MD
Guillermo Umpierrez, MD
The Hormone Health Network offers free, online resources based
on the most advanced clinical and scientific knowledge from
The Endocrine Society (www.endo-society.org). The Networks goal
is to move patients from educated to engaged, from informed to
active partners in their health care. This fact sheet is also available
in Spanish at www.hormone.org/Spanish.
May 2012
Diabetic Neuropathy Fact Sheet
www.hormone.org
