Neuropathy or nerve damage can occur as a result of having had diabetes for a long period of time. The most common form of nerve damage causes a loss of sensation/ feelings or numbness this usually involves the feet and lower legs.
Many people suffer from nerve damage caused by their diabetes and there are different types of nerve damage depending on which type of nerve has been affected. Sensory loss is the most common type of neuropathy affecting people with diabetes. As a result you may suffer from Neuropathic Pain.
SENSORY NEUROPATHY
Sensory nerves carry messages of touch, temperature, pain and other sensations from the skin, bones and muscles to the brain.
This mainly affects the nerves in the feet and legs.
Occasionally people also develop this type of neuropathy in their arms and hands.
The main concern for people with sensory neuropathy in the feet is that they often do not realise that this has happened.
It is important to be aware if you have as a reduction of feelings to touch and pain and sensations to temperature, so that you can take precautions to protect yourself from injury.
LOOKING AFTER YOUR FEET
Your feet will be fully examined and assessed for neuropathy /sensory changes at yourannual review. They will inform you of how best to take care of your feet and how to protect them from damage.
FACT: DID YOU KNOW?
Looking after your feet and taking the necessary precautions to prevent damage is essential to prevent complication. If ignored minor injuries may get worse and cause infections or ulcers. People with diabetes are more likely to be admitted to hospital with a foot ulcer than with any other complications of diabetes.
OTHER FORMS OF NEUROPATHY.
Sometimes people with diabetes can experience neuropathic pain in their lower legs (particularly the calf muscle) at night or whilst resting. This pain can take the form of a burning sensation. If you experience these problems speak to your diabetes team about how this can best be managed.
There are a variety of diseases which can cause neuropathic pain not just diabetes these can include surgery, an injury or other illnesses. In some cases the exact cause can be difficult to identify.
It is still not known exactly how diabetes damages the nerves. One possibility is that nerve damage is a result of damage to small blood vessels, which prevents essential nutrients reaching the nerves. The nerve fibres then become damaged or disappear altogether.
Being overweight, smoking, high blood pressure and poor blood sugar control are all linked with the development of neuropathy in people with diabetes.
SYMPTOMS OF NEUROPATHY
Tingling, one of the most common symptoms, often described as pins and needles. This can affect toes and feet and sometimes the lower legs too.
Numbness- the loss of feeling in the feet.
Pain, some people have very severe pain from neuropathy. This is usually felt in both feet, sometimes extending up both legs. People often feel a burning sensation, pins and needles and shooting pains.
Neuropathic pain is commonly experienced at night and when you are at rest. Contact with the skin is very uncomfortable so that the lightest touch even from bed clothes, is unpleasant.
Discuss your symptoms with a doctor.
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