Common Signs of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy occurs when the nerves are damaged due to high blood sugar. As any nerve of your body can be damaged, signs of diabetic neuropathy can have a wide range. Pain and numbness of your feet and lower leg is the most common sign. Other signs include problems of the digestive system, the urinary tract, blood vessels, heart, etc. There are four main types of diabetic neuropathy, and the symptoms can vary depending on the type and aggressiveness of the disease. 

Read along to know more about the types and different signs/symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.

What Is Diabetic Neuropathy?

As stated, diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by high blood sugar. If you suffer from high blood sugar problems for a prolonged time, your nerves slowly start to get damaged. The process is usually slow, so it goes unnoticed until the last stages. It may even take decades to reach a stage where you can notice symptoms. That’s why it is very important to keep diabetes under control as soon as you identify it. 

Almost 50% of type-1 and type-2 diabetes patients face diabetic neuropathy. The earliest unnoticeable signs can be as negligible as a tingling or numb sensation of hands and feet. In severe cases of nerve damage, you may notice that old wounds are not healing and leading to infection. The feet and lower legs/legs are most affected by this disease. However, there are several types of diabetic neuropathy. The type and progression of your nerve damage will lead to different symptoms.

Connection Between Diabetes and Oral Health

Diabetes is a complex disease that can affect many different parts of the body. Oral health is one of those areas that can be impacted, and it’s important to be aware of the connection between diabetes and oral health. Diabetes can make you more susceptible to gum disease, cavities, and other oral health problems. In order to maintain good oral health, it’s important for people with diabetes to take steps to protect their teeth and gums from infection and damage. Brushing your teeth regularly, flossing, using an antibacterial mouthwash, and seeing a dentist every six months for preventive dentistry are important steps. However, if you happen to reside near Nevada, it’s especially crucial to make regular visits to one of the best clinics for preventive dentistry in Reno. Dentists in Reno encourage patients to undergo preventive dentistry procedures to avoid developing tooth decay and other oral health problems.

Types and Signs of Diabetic Neuropathy

There are several types of diabetic neuropathy. The type and progression of nerve damage you have can lead to these different types of neuropathy, showing different symptoms. You may have only one or several types of neuropathy. As most neuropathy progresses gradually, it is hard to notice or catch them early. Knowing the symptoms may help you identify quicker. 

Here are the four main types of diabetic neuropathy and their signs:

1. Peripheral Neuropathy

This is the most common diabetic neuropathy, also called distal symmetric peripheral neuropathy. Usually, it affects the feet and legs first and may affect your hands and arms as it progresses. In rare severe cases, your back or abdomen may also be affected. The symptoms may vary from person to person and can worsen at night. 

Signs of Peripheral Neuropathy:

• Tingling or burning sensation in the affected area
• Numbness or reduced ability to feel temperature changes and pain (often). Especially noticed in feet and legs.
• A sharp or jabbing pain that tends to worsen at night.
• Extreme sensibility to even the lightest touch.
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of balance or coordination and reflex response
• Serious foot problems such as ulcers, bone deformity, infections, bone and joint aches.

2. Autonomic Neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy affects the autonomic system of your body- which consists of organs you have no conscious control over. This includes the digestive system (stomach, intestines), cardiovascular system (heart, blood vessels), sex organs, bladder, urinary tracts, etc. Autonomic neuropathy is the second most common type of neuropathy among diabetes patients. This type usually affects the stomach/digestive system first or mainly. 

Symptoms of Autonomic Neuropathy

Digestive System:

• Difficulty swallowing food
• Heartburn, bloating
• Feeling full after having a small meal.
• Diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Gastroparesis: causing the stomach to empty too slowly into the small intestine (this is what essentially leads to the last three signs mentioned)

Sexual Organs and Bladder:

• Frequent urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence (leaking urine), or urinary retention. These signs have a higher chance of worsening at night.
• Vaginal dryness
• Erectile dysfunction
• Difficulty reaching orgasm (both men and women)

Cardiovascular System:

• Uncontrollable sweating
• Sudden shortness of breath even when you’re resting
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea, lightheadedness
• Dizziness, blacking out when you make sudden fast movements
• Pain in the back, arm, neck, jaw, stomach, etc.

Other Problems:

• Hypoglycemia unawareness: lack of awareness that blood sugar levels are dropping/low
• Difficulty regulating body temperature
• Difficulty adjusting vision when there’s a change of light

3. Proximal Neuropathy

This is also called diabetic polyradiculopathy and diabetic amyotrophy. This is a pretty rare type of diabetic neuropathy. Usually, or more often, it affects male diabetic patients with type-2 diabetes who are over 50 years old. 

Usually, it affects the same nerves as proximal neuropathy, but it doesn’t affect the ends of the nerves. It affects the thighs, buttocks, hips, and upper legs. The symptoms worsen pretty rapidly within 6-12 months after the first onset. It is expected that the symptoms affect only one side of the body. But with an increase in severity, it may spread to the other side. Fortunately, most people recover within a few years, even without any help, medication, or treatment. 

Signs of Proximal Neuropathy:

• Severe sudden pain in the hip, thigh, or buttocks. The severity of the pain can force you to take pain medication.
• Muscle weakness, possible muscle shrinking. (may result in loss of balance and ability to stand without assistance)
• Difficulty rising from sitting position.

4. Mononeuropathy

Mononeuropathy is also known as focal neuropathy. Mononeuropathy usually occurs when there is damage to a specific nerve or group of nerves, affecting the specific area. The affected areas are mostly the torso, hand, head, leg, etc. The pain starts very suddenly, and it tends to be severe. 

Mononeuropathy is not a long-term disease. Thankfully, it goes away on its own within a few weeks or months. After the sudden severe appearance of symptoms, they gradually weaken over time. 

Signs of Mononeuropathy:

• Difficulty focusing your eyes, double vision, aching behind one eye.
• Pain in focused areas such as shin, foot, or front of the thigh(s), lower back, etc.
• Pain, numbness, tingling in fingers or fingertips.
• Stomach or chest pain (that are commonly mistaken for other conditions)
• Paralysis of one side of the face- also known as Bell’s Palsy
• Compression of nerve in the nerve of the wrist- also known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. About 25% of diabetes patients face this condition.

Bottom Line

Diabetes is a condition that comes with many health complications, including diabetic neuropathy. Thankfully, if the signs of diabetic neuropathy are known, you can consult your doctor as soon as you start noticing them. Staying alert and aware of the signs can make it easy to deal with the condition. 

We hope this article has helped you better understand the symptoms and signs of different kinds of diabetic neuropathy. Have any more questions for us? Let us know!

FAQs

1. Is walking good for diabetic neuropathy?

Yes, walking is good for diabetic neuropathy and is often suggested by doctors. Walking can help improve physical fitness, glycaemic/sugar control, etc. It also helps reduce the pain and other symptoms that affect the nerves of your feet and lower leg due to diabetic neuropathy. 

2. How long does it take to develop diabetic neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy takes a long time to develop, as high blood sugar level gradually damages the nerves of our bodies. On average, it can take 10-20 years after the initial diabetes diagnosis to fully develop symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. 

3. Does elevating your feet help with diabetic neuropathy?

Many sufferers have claimed that sleeping on their back while keeping their legs elevated helps with diabetic neuropathy. Reportedly, it helps relieve (lower) back pain, numbness, tingling sensation, etc.