Diabetic Neuropathy: Nerve Damage Symptoms and Treatment

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes and is a serious condition that affects the nervous system. In this article, we will provide detailed information about the types, symptoms and treatment methods of diabetic neuropathy.

You can read our article Diabetic Foot: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention to get basic information about diabetic foot.

What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes and is a serious condition that damages your nerves. This disease, which is one of the main causes of diabetic foot problems, can affect different types of nerves in your body, including your feet, organs and muscles.

Nerves carry messages between the brain and every part of our body so we can see, hear, feel and move. They also carry signals to parts of the body that make the heart beat at different rates and to the lungs so we can breathe.

Therefore, nerve damage can cause serious problems in various parts of the body in diabetes patients (type 1, type 2 or other types of diabetes). As Istanbul diabetic foot experts, we emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Types of Diabetic Neuropathy and Diabetic Foot Symptoms

Diabetic neuropathy has four main types and each can show different symptoms:

Only one of these types or any combination may be present in people with this disease. Diabetic foot symptoms usually start with peripheral neuropathy and can lead to serious complications over time.

Your healthcare team should tell you which areas are affected and give you advice on what to do about the symptoms you are experiencing. The type of treatment you need will depend on the type of neuropathy.

• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy - Most common type, especially affects the feet
• Diabetic sensory neuropathy - Affects touch and feeling senses
• Diabetic autonomic neuropathy - Affects internal organs
• Diabetic motor neuropathy - Affects muscle movements

You can get detailed information about diabetic neuropathy.

Causes of Diabetic Neuropathy and Diabetic Foot Development

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the long-term complications of diabetes and is the main cause of diabetic foot problems.

Over time, high blood glucose (sugar) levels can damage the small blood vessels that feed the nerves in your body. This prevents essential nutrients from reaching the nerves. As a result, nerve fibers can be damaged and disappear. This condition can cause problems in many different parts of your body depending on the type of nerve affected.

In diabetic foot development, especially nerve damage in the feet plays a critical role. Regular checkups are recommended in Istanbul diabetic foot centers for early diagnosis of this condition.

You can get detailed information about what is diabetic foot.

Can Diabetic Neuropathy Be Reversed?

No, diabetic neuropathy cannot be reversed (but symptoms can be treated).

Once nerves are damaged, they cannot repair themselves. Therefore, early intervention is very important to prevent diabetic foot problems.

However, careful diabetes management such as keeping your blood sugar as close to target as possible and managing blood fat levels and blood pressure can prevent damage from occurring or prevent further damage if you already have some symptoms.

You can get detailed information about diabetic foot and chronic foot wounds treatment and prevention.

Treatment for Diabetic Neuropathy and Diabetic Foot Care

A comprehensive approach is required for diabetic neuropathy treatment and diabetic foot care.

There are many treatments available to relieve symptoms caused by neuropathy. These may include medications for nausea and vomiting, pain relievers for sensory neuropathy, or treatment to help with erectile dysfunction.

Keeping your blood sugar levels in the target range and also keeping your blood fat levels (cholesterol) and blood pressure under control can also help improve neuropathy symptoms and reduce the progression of nerve damage.

Istanbul diabetic foot experts recommend special foot care protocols and regular checkups for diabetic foot treatment.

You can get detailed information about diabetic foot treatment and recovery processes.

Diabetic Neuropathy Pain and Foot Symptoms

Why Does Diabetic Neuropathy Hurt So Much?

Nerves carry chemical messages to and from the brain about what we can feel. When nerves are damaged, these messages cannot be sent properly, leading to a change in sensation or feelings. This condition can lead to numbness, tingling, burning, discomfort or severe pain.

Among the most common diabetic foot symptoms:

• Burning sensation in feet
• Tingling and numbness
• Pain that increases at night
• Decreased sense of touch

Sometimes these feelings can be worse at night. We’re not exactly sure why, but it may be related to colder air in the evenings, stress at the end of a long day, and fewer distractions in the evenings, meaning you notice pain more.

Living with any type of long-term pain (whether you feel it all the time or go through regular periods of pain) can be very distressing and can have a negative impact on your mental health and general well-being. If you experience regular or frequent pain that you find difficult to cope with, you should consult your diabetic foot specialist for advice and support.

You can get detailed information about diabetic neuropathy symptoms: loss of sensation in feet and other signs.

Steps You Can Take to Prevent Diabetic Neuropathy

Neuropathy prevention strategies for diabetes patients:

You can help avoid diabetic neuropathy by keeping your blood sugar levels in the target range, which will help protect the blood vessels that feed your nerves.

You should also check your feet every day and have your feet checked by a healthcare professional once a year. This is especially important if you think you have lost sensation in your feet. Talk to your diabetic foot healthcare team for advice if you think you are showing any neuropathy symptoms.

Regular checkups and preventive care services are provided in Istanbul diabetic foot centers.

You can get detailed information about correct shoe selection for diabetic patients.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Foot Problems

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of neuropathy and is damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It especially affects the nerves in the feet and hands and can be motor neuropathy, sensory neuropathy, or both.

Peripheral neuropathy plays a critical role in diabetic foot development. The nerves in your feet should be checked during your routine annual diabetes checkup.

Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms:

• Tingling in feet
• Feeling of numbness
• Pain and burning
• Decreased sense of touch
• Not feeling foot temperature

You can get detailed information about diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic Sensory Neuropathy and Foot Sensation

Diabetic sensory neuropathy is damage to the nerves that tell us how objects feel, smell and look. It affects the nerves that carry messages about touch, temperature, pain and other sensations from the skin, bones and muscles to the brain.

It mainly affects the nerves in the feet and legs, but people can also develop this type of neuropathy in their arms and hands.

The main danger of sensory neuropathy for a diabetes patient is loss of sensation in the feet, especially if you don’t realize it.

Loss of sensation is dangerous because you may not notice small injuries, such as when you step on something sharp with bare feet or when your shoe doesn’t fit your foot properly and causes blisters.

If ignored, small injuries can turn into infections or ulcers. That’s why it’s important to take good care of your feet if you have diabetes.

You can get detailed information about diabetic neuropathy symptoms: loss of sensation in feet and other signs.

If you have neuropathy, you are at higher risk of developing Charcot foot. This is one of the serious foot complications caused by diabetes. We have more information about what causes Charcot foot, how to treat it and prevent it.

You can get detailed information about Charcot foot and diabetes.

Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy and Internal Organ Effects

Diabetic autonomic neuropathy is damage to the nerves that carry information to your organs and glands. They help control functions we don’t even have to think about, such as how your stomach empties, how regularly your heart beats, and how your sexual organs work.

Autonomic Neuropathy Symptoms:

• Gastroparesis - food not being able to move efficiently through the digestive system. Its symptoms may include bloating, constipation or diarrhea.
• Loss of bladder control, leading to incontinence (not being able to control when you urinate)
• Irregular heartbeats
• Problems with sweating - either not being able to sweat properly and heat intolerance or sweating related to eating (gustatory)
• Impotence (not being able to maintain an erection)

You can get detailed information about diabetic neuropathy.

Motor Neuropathy and Muscle Problems

Diabetic motor neuropathy affects the nerves that control movement. Damage to these nerves leads to weakness and wasting in the muscles that receive messages from the affected nerves.

Motor Neuropathy Symptoms:

• Nerve damage
• Muscle weakness that can cause falls or problems doing tasks like buttoning buttons
• Muscle wasting where muscle tissue is lost because it is less active
• Muscle twitching and cramps

You can get detailed information about diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic Foot Treatment and Services in Istanbul

Comprehensive services are provided in Istanbul diabetic foot centers for diabetic foot treatment:

• Regular foot checkups
• Neuropathy evaluation
• Special foot care
• Ulcer treatment
• Surgical interventions (if necessary)

It is recommended that you definitely consult a specialist for early diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot problems.

You can get detailed information about which doctor should you consult for diabetic foot problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy?

Burning, tingling, numbness, pain and decreased sense of touch in the feet are the most common symptoms.

Can diabetic neuropathy be reversed?

No, nerve damage cannot be reversed but symptoms can be treated.

How can diabetic neuropathy be prevented?

It can be prevented with blood sugar control, regular foot care and healthy lifestyle.

How long does diabetic neuropathy treatment last?

Treatment duration varies depending on the patient’s condition, usually it is a long-term process.

Conclusion and Expert Support

Diabetic neuropathy is a condition that is common in diabetes patients and can lead to serious complications. It is especially the main cause of diabetic foot problems. Early diagnosis, regular checkups and appropriate treatment can prevent these problems.

As Istanbul diabetic foot experts, we offer our patients the most up-to-date treatment methods. If you experience diabetic foot symptoms, we definitely recommend consulting a specialist.

You may be interested in: For more information about diabetic foot treatment, you can read our articles on diabetic foot infection treatment goals and diabetic foot wound dressing. You can also visit our page for detailed information about our treatment methods.

You can get information from Prof. Dr. Aytaç Çetinkaya for more information.