Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)
Damage to nerve cells is called “ neuropathy.” Nerve cells are like insulated wires. When blood sugar is high, the sugar causes damage to the insulation of the nerve. After time, the nerves become unable to send signals through the body the way they should.
Nerve damage can happen slowly, and you very well might not even notice that you are beginning to lose feeling in your feet and hands (a symptom of neuropathy).
Besides loss of feeling in your feet and hands, there are other signs that you have nerve damage. You may sweat more than normal or feel light-headed when you stand up. You might also find it difficult to tell when your blood sugar is low. You may have stomach and/or bowel problems. You may experience difficulty in urinating, and you may have bladder or kidney infections. Some people also experience sexual problems. Men can have impotence. Women may experience decreased vaginal lubrication and pain during sexual intercourse.
- Who Is At Risk Of Neuropathy?
- Symptoms Of Neuropathy
- Treatment Of Neuropathy
- How To Prevent Or Delay Neuropathy
Who Is At Risk Of Neuropathy?
People with diabetes are more likely to develop damage to nerve cells than other people. The longer you have diabetes, the greater the chances that you may suffer from nerve damage. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) was a 10-year study of people with type 1 diabetes. The purpose of the DCCT was to see if keeping blood sugar levels under tight control affected complications from diabetes. The study showed that tight control may reduce your chance of getting neuropathy by up to 60%.
Symptoms Of Neuropathy
- feet and lower legs tingle, burn, ache or throb
- numbness in feet, lower legs, or hands
- no pain from cuts, bruises, or injuries to feet or hands
- diarrhea that will not stop
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- nausea and vomiting
- bloating
- early “fullness” when eating
- problems with sexual health:
- impotence in men (less able to have and keep an erection)
- women less able to have an orgasm or climax
- feeling light-headed when changing from a lying to a standing position
Symptoms of neuropathy may come and go. Also, symptoms may be less noticeable when blood sugar levels are closer to normal range.
Treatment Of Neuropathy
There are many treatments for neuropathy including various medications, dietary changes, and tight control of blood sugars. If you have any of the symptoms on the list above, tell your diabetes specialist nurse so you can get the help you need.
How To Prevent Or Delay Neuropathy
- Keep your blood sugar levels close to normal range. (Discuss your target range with your diabetes healthcare team.)
- Lower your blood pressure, if high.
- If you smoke, stop! Smoking can also damage nerve cells.
- Do a daily “foot check” to look for any cuts, calluses, or changes to your feet. Remember to call your diabetes healthcare team if you do see changes.
- Exercise daily to improve blood flow to your feet and hands.
- Report any symptoms to your diabetes specialist nurse.
- See your diabetes specialist nurse every 3-4 months to monitor your diabetes.