Diabetic NeuropathySymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Diabetic Neuropathy
Nerve damage that occurs in people with diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. This condition is a complication of diabetes.
Diabetic neuropathy; Diabetes - neuropathy; Diabetes - peripheral neuropathy
In people with diabetes, the body's nerves can be damaged by decreased blood flow and a high blood sugar (glucose) level. This condition is more likely when the blood sugar level is not well controlled over time.
About one half of people with diabetes develop nerve damage. Symptoms often do not begin until many years after diabetes has been diagnosed. Some people who have diabetes that develops slowly already have nerve damage when they are first diagnosed with diabetes.
People with diabetes are also at higher risk for other nerve problems not caused by their diabetes. These other nerve problems won't have the same symptoms and will progress in a different manner than nerve damage caused by diabetes.
Symptoms often develop slowly over many years. The types of symptoms you have depend on the nerves that are affected.
Nerves in the feet and legs are most often affected. Symptoms often start in the toes and feet, and include tingling or burning, or deep pain. Over time, nerve damage can also occur in the fingers and hands. As the damage gets worse, you may lose feeling in your toes, feet, and legs. Your skin may become numb. Because of this, you may:
- Not notice when you step on something sharp
- Not know that you have a blister or small cut
- Not notice when your feet or hands touch something that is too hot or cold
- Have feet that are very dry and cracked
When the nerves that control digestion are affected, you may have trouble digesting food due to reduced movement of the stomach (gastroparesis). This can make your diabetes harder to control. Damage to nerves that control digestion almost always occurs in people with severe nerve damage in their feet and legs. Symptoms of digestion problems include:
- Feeling full after eating only a small amount of food
- Heartburn and bloating
- Nausea, constipation, or diarrhea
- Swallowing problems
- Throwing up undigested food a few hours after a meal
When nerves in your heart and blood vessels are damaged, you may:
- Feel lightheaded when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension)
- Have a fast heart rate
- Not notice angina, the chest pain that warns of heart disease and heart attack
Other symptoms of nerve damage are:
- Sexual problems, which cause trouble getting an erection in men and vaginal dryness or orgasm problems in women.
- Not being able to tell when your blood sugar gets too low (hypoglycemia unawareness).
- Bladder problems, which cause urine leakage or not being able to empty the bladder.
- Sweating too much, even when the temperature is cool, when you're at rest, or at other unusual times.
- Feet that are very sweaty (early nerve damage).
Follow your provider's advice on how to slow diabetic nerve damage.
Control your blood sugar (glucose) level by:
- Eating healthy foods
- Getting regular exercise
- Checking your blood sugar as often as instructed and keeping a record of your numbers so that you know the types of foods and activities that affect your blood sugar level
- Taking oral or injected medicines as instructed by your provider
To treat the symptoms of nerve damage, your provider may prescribe medicines to treat:
- Pain in your feet, legs, or arms
- Nausea, vomiting, or other digestion problems
- Bladder problems
- Erection problems or vaginal dryness
If you're prescribed medicines for symptoms of nerve damage, be aware of the following:
- The medicines are often less effective if your blood sugar is usually high.
- After you start the medicine, tell your provider if the nerve pain doesn't improve.
When you have nerve damage in your feet, the feeling in your feet can be reduced. You can even have no feeling at all. As a result, your feet may not heal well if they are injured. Caring for your feet can prevent minor problems from becoming so serious that you end up in the hospital.
Caring for your feet includes:
- Checking your feet every day
- Getting a foot exam each time you see your provider
- Wearing the right kind of socks and shoes (ask your provider about this)
Ballad Health Medical Associates Diabetes And Endocrinology Center
. Dr. Beasey is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy. He is also highly rated in 30 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Diabetic Neuropathy, Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young, and Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Dr. Beasey is board certified in American Board Of Pediatrics and American Board Of Internal Medicine.
Taubman Center
Dr. Feldman is the director of the NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies at Michigan Medicine and the ALS Center of Excellence at Michigan Medicine. The latter includes the Pranger ALS Clinic, one of the top multidisciplinary clinics caring for those suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). She serves as the University of Michigan James W. Albers Distinguished University Professor and the Russell N. DeJong Professor of Neurology at Michigan Medicine. Dr. Feldman is one of the world’s leading authorities on neurodegenerative disease.Dr. Feldman is a compassionate and dedicated physician who cares deeply about her patients. She has been recognized for her clinical excellence by numerous organizations and is annually named as one of the “Best Doctors in America.” Her forward-thinking, collaborative, multidisciplinary approach has transformed how neurodegenerative diseases are diagnosed, treated, and prevented.Dr. Feldman has made significant contributions to biomedical research and clinical care in many critical areas of neurodegenerative disease. She has authored over 530 peer-reviewed publications, 74 book chapters, and 5 books on the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of neurological diseases. Dr. Feldman has been continuously funded by the NIH since 1989 and is currently the principal or co-investigator of numerous clinical trials and grants. She has received numerous awards and honors throughout her remarkable career, including the University of Michigan’s Early Distinguished Career Award, the Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award, and the Distinguished Alumnus Achievement Award. She was also the first woman in 25 years to receive the Robert S. Schwab Award from the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society. In 2022, Dr. Feldman was awarded the University of Michigan Distinguished Professorship, the highest faculty honor at University of Michigan.Dr. Feldman is actively committed to and involved in professional service. She served as President of the Peripheral Nerve Society from 2007-2009 and President of the American Neurological Association (ANA) from 2011-2013. Dr. Feldman is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) and Association of American Physicians, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Feldman is the Editor of the Contemporary Neurology Series and also serves on a number of editorial boards for leading scientific journals, including The Lancet Neurology, Nature Reviews Neurology, JAMA Neurology and Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. Dr. Feldman is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy. She is also highly rated in 33 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Peripheral Neuropathy, Diabetic Neuropathy, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), and Autonomic Neuropathy. Dr. Feldman is board certified in Neurology and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
Taubman Center
Dr. Callaghan completed his medical degree and neurology residency at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed a fellowship in neuromuscular disease at the University of Michigan. He also completed a master's degree program in clinical research at the University of Michigan School of Public health. Dr. Callaghan is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Peripheral Neuropathy, Diabetic Neuropathy, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), Thrombectomy, and Thymectomy. Dr. Callaghan is board certified in Neurology.
Many resources can help you understand more about diabetes. You can also learn ways to manage your diabetic nerve disease.
More information and support for people with diabetes and their families can be found at :
- American Diabetes Association -- diabetes.org
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases -- www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes
Treatment relieves pain and controls some symptoms.
Other problems that may develop include:
- Bladder or kidney infection
- Diabetic toe or foot ulcers
- Nerve damage that hides the symptoms of the chest pain (angina) that warns of heart disease and a heart attack
- Loss of a toe, foot, or leg through amputation, often because of a bone infection that does not heal
Contact your provider if you develop any symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
Summary: This observational cross-sectional study aims to investigate the effects of glycemic control and clinical parameters on tibial nerve conduction latency in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Adults aged 45 to 76 years with diabetic peripheral neuropathy will be evaluated at a neurology and clinical neurophysiology clinic. Data collection will include demographic and clinical character...
Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of Suzetrigine in participants with pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).
Published Date: January 10, 2025
Published By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 12. Retinopathy, neuropathy, and foot care: standards of care in diabetes-2025. Diabetes Care. 2025;48(Supplement_1):S252-S265. PMID: 39651973 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39651973/.
Brownlee M, Aiello LP, Sun JK, et al. Complications of diabetes mellitus. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Rosen CJ, Kopp PA, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 38.