Nerve damage is one of the most common consequences of diabetes, which is a long-term disease that affects millions of people around the world. Neuropathy is nerve damage that can happen over time when your blood sugar level is too high. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common type of neuropathy. People with this condition often feel weakness in their hands, feet, or legs. This piece talks about the connection between diabetes and neuropathy, how numbness is related to this condition, and how important it is to keep blood sugar levels in check to avoid or lessen the effects of neuropathy.

What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy is a kind of nerve loss that happens when you have high blood sugar (glucose) for a long time. Over time, too much glucose can hurt the nerves’ blood vessels, especially those in the periphery of the nervous system. This damage makes it hard for nerves to talk to the brain, which can cause numbness, tingling, and burning feelings, among other symptoms.

Many parts of the body can get diabetic neuropathy, but the legs, feet, and hands are the most common places it shows up. The nerve damage can get worse over time, making the person weaker, reducing their sense of touch, and making them more likely to get hurt. So, people with diabetes need to make sure they keep their blood sugar levels under control if they don’t want neuropathy to start or get worse.

Numbness Symptoms: A Key Indicator of Neuropathy

One of the primary symptoms of neuropathy is numbness, especially in the extremities. People with diabetic neuropathy often report experiencing a sensation of “pins and needles,” or complete numbness, in their feet or hands. This can start as a mild tingling or prickling feeling, but over time, the numbness can worsen and may lead to a loss of sensation.

Numbness in the feet is particularly concerning because it can reduce the ability to feel pain or discomfort, making it easier for injuries to go unnoticed. This increases the risk of developing infections, ulcers, and even amputations in severe cases. Numbness symptoms should never be ignored, as they often signal nerve damage, which can worsen without proper intervention.

How Diabetes Causes Neuropathy

The key factors involved that causes neuropathy include:

  1. Blood Vessel Damage: Prolonged high blood sugar levels can damage small blood vessels, called capillaries, that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. Without proper nourishment, nerves begin to weaken and deteriorate, leading to neuropathy.
  2. Inflammation: High glucose levels can also trigger inflammation in the body, which further damages nerves and surrounding tissues. Inflammation can exacerbate pain and numbness symptoms associated with neuropathy.
  3. Impaired Nerve Function: Elevated blood sugar levels disrupt the normal function of nerves. Over time, this can result in reduced nerve transmission and altered sensations, such as numbness, tingling, or pain.
  4. Metabolic Changes: Diabetes can also lead to metabolic changes that affect nerve health. For example, high blood sugar may interfere with the body’s ability to produce certain substances necessary for nerve repair, further contributing to neuropathy.

Managing Diabetic Neuropathy at South Valley Neurology

Some of the key management strategies include:

  • Blood Sugar Control: Making sure that blood sugar stays in a certain range is important to keep nerve damage from getting worse. Taking medicine, making changes to your lifestyle, and eating well can all help keep your glucose levels at a healthy level.
  • Pain Management: Numbness symptoms can sometimes be accompanied by pain. To ease pain and make it easier to move around, pain drugs, topical treatments, or physical therapy may be used as treatments.
  • Foot Care: Since neuropathy often affects the feet, patients are advised to regularly inspect their feet for any signs of injury or infection. Proper foot care can prevent complications and help preserve nerve function.

Conclusion

Neuropathic pain is commonly found in people with diabetes, and high blood sugar is the main cause of this damage. Neuropathy symptoms that feel numb are often one of the first things people notice, especially in their feet and hands. Keeping your blood sugar under control, getting regular checks, and living a healthy life can help stop or slow the development of neuropathy in people with diabetes. If you have numbness or other neuropathy symptoms, you should see an expert at South Valley Neurology right away. They will do a full evaluation and make a personalized treatment plan just for you to protect your nerve health and make your life better.