What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

December 23, 2009
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In 2002, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, approximately 65% of those living with Diabetes also had some degree of correlated neuropathy. In many cases it is the symptoms of neuropathy that lead to the diagnosis of diabetes, because these symptoms indicate to the patient that there may be a larger disease process occurring.

Neuropathy by definition is disease or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves that typically causes numbness, weakness, or both. It is thought that a combination of factors adds to the incidence of neuropathy in diabetic patients, but it is directly related to poor sugar control. Nerves are very sensitive to change and when blood sugars are high, the sugar molecules tend to glycosylate both the small blood vessels and the small nerves. This glycosylation compresses the nerve to some degree and results in the symptomatic representation of neuropathy.


Comprehensive foot examinations by your Podiatrist can help diagnose peripheral neuropathies in the early stages and it is important to remember that if you are experiencing any changes in sensation to your toes or feet, you see your doctor immediately. Your Podiatrist will look for changes in light and sharp touch, vibration, reflexes and your ulceration risk. All of these components can hold clues to an early diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy.

If you have already been diagnosed with neuropathy it is still very important to follow-up with your Podiatrist for routine care, but more importantly to be doing your part at home. You must check your feet on a daily basis for any open areas, especially between the toes and for any color changes that may indicate problems. The largest complication associated with having diabetic neuropathy is the patients inability to feel, thus injuries that would be painful in a non-diabetic go unnoticed in a diabetic and can lead to ulceration, infection, and loss of digits. If you notice something unusual or different from the previous day, contact your Podiatrist for an appointment.

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