Also known as: Neuropathy, diabetic; Peripheral diabetic neuropathy; Autonomic diabetic neuropathy; Focal diabetic neuropathy
Neuropathy means nerve disease or damage. Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes. People with diabetes often have high blood sugar levels. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage nerves throughout your body.
There are three kinds of diabetic neuropathy.
- Peripheral neuropathy is damage to peripheral nerves. These are the nerves that sense pain, touch, hot, and cold. They also affect movement and muscle strength. The nerves in the feet and lower legs are most often affected. This type of nerve damage can lead to serious foot problems. The damage usually gets worse slowly, over months or years.
- Autonomic neuropathy is damage to autonomic nerves. These nerves control things like your heartbeat, blood pressure, sweating, digestion, urination and sexual function.
- Focal neuropathy affects just one nerve, usually in the wrist, thigh or foot. It may also affect the nerves of your back and chest and those that control your eye muscles. This type of nerve damage usually happens suddenly.
Providence Peripheral Nerve Services gives patients access to expert clinical evaluations and treatment for neuromuscular diseases. A select group of dedicated physicians specially-trained in the care of these diseases leads our team.
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