Diabetes Complication: Types of Neuropathy

One of diabetes complications is neuropathy. Diabetes neuropathy happens when the creeping of diabetes in the body’s systems causes damage to the patient’s nerves. Neuropathy comes in many types depending on what nerves are affected and what causes them.

Peripheral neuropathy

One of the diabetes complications is peripheral or sensorimotor neuropathy, the most common type of diabetic neuropathy is a condition wherein the problems of the nerve affect those outside the spinal cord and brain. These nerves compose the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral neuropathy is a neuropathy or nerve damage happening in the nerves of the extremities – feet, toes, legs, fingers, arms and hands. Some causes of peripheral neuropathy aside from diabetes are injury, toxins and infections.

Nutritionists and scientists confirmed that peripheral neuropathy is directly caused by a lack of vitamin B12.

Hereditary Neuropathy

When a nerve damage happens because of a genetically-transmitted nerve disorder usually in the hands and below the knees, then that is what you call hereditary neuropathy. Another diabetes complication, it is also known as sensory neuropathy.

Idiopathic Neuropathy

When doctors cannot pinpoint a specific cause to neuropathy, it is called “idiopathic”. This neuropathy usually affects the seniors or those who are 60 years or older. The development of this neuropathy is slow but bothersome.


Toxin-Related Neuropathy

Certain peripheral neuropathies result from exposure to toxins and chemicals (such as mercury, lead, thallium, organic insecticides, mercury and solvents). Intentional exposure, like that of drug or chemical abuse, often leads to peripheral neuropathy.

Drug-Related Neuropathy

Some medications such as HIV, AIDS or chemotherapy have peripheral neuropathy as a side effect. Thus, to stop the neuropathy, the medication should also be stopped.

Compression Neuropathy

When nerves become constrained or compacted, that is compression neuropathy. Not a direct diabetes complication, this neuropathy can be a result of inflammation or trauma such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Nutritional/Vitamin Deficiency Neuropathy

A neuropathy caused by malnutrition, alcoholism, reduced absorptive surface and neuropathy-inducing vitamins.

Autonomic Neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy damages the genitals, bladder and stomach where bladder can be paralyzed. Diabetics cannot feel that they are full and have the tendency to keep the urine in the body longer. Such results to urinary tract infections.

Radiculoplexus Neuropathy
Radiculoplexus neuropathy affects the nerves near the shoulders and hips. It is also called proximal or amyotrophy neuropathy.

Other types of neuropathy are cranial neuropathy (affects one of the brain’s 12 cranial nerves), focal (restricted to one nerve group), distal symmetric polyneuropathy (caused by poor glucose control), mononeuropathy (affects a single nerve usually caused by injury) and mononeuritis multiplex (damage to at least two different nerves resulting to brain disorder.

Neuropathy – A Diabetes Complication

Neuropathy, a diabetes complication is the damage or injury of the nerves due to decreased blood flow or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels).

Neuropathy happens to patients with diabetes may suffer complications when they get out of control on their blood glucose levels. Temporary or permanent nerve tissue damage or injury can occur. Studies show that about 50% of diabetics will eventually have nerve damage. Some develop the condition early, while others have it later. On an average, nerve damage symptoms begin 10 to 20 years after diabetes detection.

Neuropathy most likely develops in stages. It may affect cranial nerves (skull nerves) or spinal column nerves and their branches. Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves which regulate the vital functions, including smooth and heart muscles. Common areas affected by diabetic peripheral neuropathy are the feet and legs.

Symptoms

Feet nerve damage can result to loss of sensation in the feet. Other symptoms are numbness, tingling, burning and pain.

Neuropathy in patients with diabetes can also be manifested with dizziness, omnipotence, drooping eyelid, drooping face, drooping mouth, loss of bladder control, rapid heart rate, vision changes and speech impairment.

Early detection

Whatever is the illness, detecting its presence early is always beneficial. Diabetic neuropathy can be diagnosed by neurological sensory tests, electrodiagnostic testing or physical examination. Health care providers also test the feet for loss of sensation. The absence of ankle reflexes is a common early finding.

Medications

Neuropathy can be treated with medications which reduce the symptoms in legs, arms and feet. Antidepressant and antiseizure drugs maybe suggested by your doctors. Or drugs that that help with urinary control problems or those that block bladder contractions.

For neuropathy, some doctors prescribe their patients with diabetes drugs which help with vomiting and nausea. Analgesics or pain medications are good for patients short-term, but don’t offer much benefit.

Prevention

Treatment can ease the pain and control symptoms but the disease might continue. It is better not to develop neuropathy in the first place.

Topmost prevention is keep blood sugar at safe levels. Regular exams especially foot exams are necessary. Examining your feet and legs daily, applying lotion if they are dry, caring for your nails and wearing comfortably fitting footwear are good habits that can prevent infections and complications.