Neuropathy is nerve damage that is often a complication of diabetes, and it could occur anywhere in the body. It is known as diabetic peripheral neuropathy when a person’s legs, feet, arms and hands are affected.

You won’t notice any signs of peripheral neuropathy as it comes on gradually and worsens as time goes on. People have this condition for a long time before they are diagnosed with diabetes. Being diabetic for just a couple of years increases your chances of getting this form of neuropathy.

Loss of sensation, as well as other complications related to peripheral neuropathy, can make a person susceptible to skin ulcers that can become infected and possibly not heal. This particular complication of diabetes can lead to loss of foot, leg, and life.

causal factors

Neurological damage is usually considerably more common in people who have not dealt with their diabetes problems. However, even diabetics who have very good blood sugar control can have peripheral neuropathy. There are many hypotheses as to why this happens. For example, there is a possibility that high glucose levels or narrowed blood vessels could damage nerves.

When this disorder progresses, numerous nerves are affected. Severely damaged nerve fibers could cause problems that encourage ulcer development. Such as:

• Deformities (such as hammer toes and also bunions) resulting from motor neuropathy can cause shoes to rub against the toes and cause a sore. Numbness, as a result of sensory neuropathy, can cause the person to be unaware that this is happening.
• As a consequence of feeling numb, a person is not always aware that they have stepped on a sharp object and cut their skin.
• Broken skin due to autonomic neuropathy, in addition to experiencing numbness due to sensory neuropathy and problems associated with motor neuropathy, could lead to sores.

Indicators and symptoms

Depending on which of the nerves are affected, numerous indicators of neuropathy may be detected.

Regarding sensory neuropathy:

• Feeling like you are numb or just an itchy sensation in your feet
• Pain or possibly pain in the legs or possibly feet, or a burning sensation or a lot of pain in the feet

Regarding motor neuropathy:

• Muscle weakness along with decreased overall muscle tone in the feet and lower legs
• decreased balance
• Distortions in the contour of the feet that can produce areas of greater pressure

Related to autonomic neuropathy:

• dehydrated feet
• Broken or cracked skin

Numbness is the most common and disturbing element associated with peripheral neuropathy. People who have some loss of sensation are actually cause for great concern. These people are usually the ones with foot ulcers that may require amputation.

Prevention

Recommended preventive steps to warn that this problem entails:

• Keep blood sugar levels in order
• Wearing carefully fitted shoes to protect yourself from sores
• Analyzing your feet daily. In case you notice any cuts, pain, skin lesions or infection, go to the podiatrist immediately.
• Visit your foot doctor often for a complete exam and to prevent diabetes-related foot problems.
• Arrange regular visits to your doctor or possibly endocrinologist. Your podiatrist works in unison with both of you and with other professionals in order to prevent, as well as treat, other difficulties due to diabetes.

Because people with type 2 diabetes can have a number of medical problems, medical professionals usually don’t detect peripheral neuropathy immediately after signs and symptoms initially appear. Always make sure that your pain is shown immediate attention. You should never approach it lightly if you have significant hand or foot discomfort.