Diabetic neuropathy

diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that happens because of long-term high blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It most often affects nerves in the feet and legs, but it can also involve the hands, arms, and nerves that control internal organs. People may feel numbness, tingling, burning pain, weakness, or a loss of balance, and these symptoms often start gradually and get worse over time. High blood sugar injures nerve fibers and the small blood vessels that supply them, and inflammation and oxidative stress also play a role in the damage. If left unchecked, this condition can lead to foot ulcers, infections, and even amputation, because reduced sensation makes injuries more likely to go unnoticed. Doctors diagnose it through symptom history, physical exams, nerve conduction tests, and sometimes specialized nerve studies. Treatment focuses on controlling blood sugar tightly, managing pain with medications or therapies, and addressing risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol. Good foot care, regular check-ups, and lifestyle changes such as exercise and quitting smoking can slow progression and prevent complications. Understanding diabetic neuropathy matters because it is common, can severely affect quality of life, and because many of its worst outcomes are preventable with early care.