Diabetes And Neuropathies

Diabetes And Neuropathies

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Nerve damage is a complication common to diabetes when high blood sugar damages the nerves. No part of the body is safe from this potential complication. When damage occurs it can strike any of our vital organs. Some symptoms of nerve damage may include pain a tingling feeling or even numbness in the legs, arms, hands and feet.

Nerve damage is very commonplace affecting nearly 60% - 70% of all diabetics. The older you are and the longer you've lived with diabetes, the more at risk you are. The greatest risk of nerve damage occurs in individuals who have had diabetes for 25 years or longer. Besides age and the number of years with diabetes, other risk factors are high blood pressure, being overweight, high blood fat levels and not being able to control your blood sugar.

It is unknown what actually causes nerve damage but there are those who believe several factors contribute to this complication. Below are some possibilities:

* Autoimmune disease - this is when the body starts attacking itself
* Metabolic issues - high glucose and fat levels and a long history of diabetes
* Habits - smoking and using alcohol
* Your genes - you may have inherited a sensitivity to this disorder

The symptoms of nerve damage vary depending on which nerves have been damaged. As mentioned previously there may be no symptoms at all, but others may feel pain or tingling in their hands, legs, arms and feet. The symptoms can be so subtle that you may not even realize that you have any. Other people, however, may feel severe pain which comes on suddenly especially in the case of focal neuropathy.

The following lists some of the possible symptoms:

* Numbness, pain and a tingling sensation in your legs, hands, feet and arms
* Feeling nauseous, constipated, vomiting or diarrhea
* Being dizzy, faint or light-headed
* Vision problems
* Sexual dysfunction
* Bladder problems
* Heart beats rapidly
* Pain in the hips, buttocks or thighs

The following shows the four different types of nerve damage and how they affect the body:

* Autonomic neuropathy - impacts the involuntary system like your heart, lungs and digestion. When the autonomic nervous system gets damaged some of the problems you may experience can be with your heart, lungs, digestion, bladder, sexual organs, eyes as well as other areas. The symptoms will vary depending on the area which is impaired.
* Peripheral Neuropathy - the most common type of neuropathy and it affects nerves to your legs, arms, feet and hands. The leg contains the longest nerves and as a result these are the ones that are damaged more frequently.
* Focal neuropathy - is painful, appears suddenly and can cause weakness in your muscles. The head is the area typically affected by focal neuropathy but it can also impact your torso and your legs.
* Proximal neuropathy - muscle weakness or pain affecting the buttocks, legs, thighs and hips. This will affect your ability to move around and is most often found the elderly.

A neurological and physical exam are both required to diagnose any of these neuropathies. In addtion to the routine medical checkup that all doctors give they will also look for any tender or painful region and will also check your mobility. You will also be tested to see how you react to certain stimuli such as temperature, vibration and touch.

By keeping blood sugar at safe levels complications like nerve damage can be treated successfully. This is the one and only way to stop its progression. Although medication is available they only relieve the symptoms.

About the Author:
Do you have the symptoms of diabetes? Quick discovery is key to prevent serious difficulties such as diabetic neuropathy.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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