Diabetic Neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. High blood sugar (glucose) can injure nerves throughout the body. Diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in the legs and feet.

Depending on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy symptoms include pain and numbness in the legs, feet and hands. It can also cause problems with the digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels and heart. Some people have mild symptoms. But for others, diabetic neuropathy can be quite painful and disabling.

Diabetic Neuropathy is a serious diabetes complication that may affect as many as 50% of people with diabetes. But you can often prevent diabetic neuropathy or slow its progress with consistent blood sugar management and a healthy lifestyle.

Symptoms

There are four main types of diabetic neuropathy. You can have one type or more than one type of neuropathy.
Your symptoms depend on the type you have and which nerves are affected. Usually, symptoms develop gradually. You may not notice anything is wrong until considerable nerve damage has occurred.

1. Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes
2. Swelling of feet, ankles, hands or eyes.
3. Tingling or burning feeling
4. Sharp pains or cramps
5. Muscle weakness
6. Extreme sensitivity to touch — for some people, even a bedsheet's weight can be painful
7. Serious foot problems, such as ulcers, infections, and bone and joint damage
8. Bladder or bowel problems
9. Difficulty swallowing
10. Increased or decreased sweating