Diabetic neuropathy

4-minute read

What is diabetic neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves have become damaged. Diabetic neuropathy is a type of neuropathy in people either with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

You have 3 types of nerves:

Sensory nerves carry signals about touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell.
Motor nerves carry signals to help you move.
Autonomic nerves carry signals to help with balance, sweating, digestion and many of the things you do without thinking.

Diabetic neuropathy often affects sensory nerves to the feet and hands, but can also affect both the autonomic and motor nerves.

What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy?

The most common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are numbness, tingling, a burning sensation, aching, cramps and weakness. Most people find symptoms usually begin in their hands or feet. These symptoms may later spread to their arms and legs.

Diabetic neuropathy can also cause:

pain and discomfort in yours arms or legs, especially at night
not being able to feel sores or cuts
sleep problems
bloating and digestion
heat intolerance
problems with walking
dry skin

If you suspect you might have diabetes, talk to your doctor or call the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) Helpline on 1800 637 700.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use our diabetes symptoms Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes diabetic neuropathy?

Having high levels of sugar in the blood for a long time increases the risk of damage to the nerves. The worse the diabetes is controlled, the higher the risk. High levels of triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood, can also cause nerve damage.

Other conditions can play a part, including:

high blood pressure
vitamin B deficiency
alcohol abuse
smoking
kidney disease or liver disease
some medicines, including some drugs used against cancer

The longer you have had diabetes, the more likely you are to develop diabetic neuropathy.

How is diabetic neuropathy diagnosed?

Your doctor will talk to you, examine you, and you will have some blood tests. They will look at your medical records, especially to check for blood sugar levels in the past. You might be referred to a neurologist, an endocrinologist or another health professional.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use our Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

Preventing and treating diabetic neuropathy

Whether you’re trying to prevent diabetic neuropathy, or trying to stop it getting worse, the most important thing to do is to control your blood sugar levels. That means:

sorting out any medical problems (with the help of your doctor if necessary)
following the right diet for you
exercising regularly
taking or using any medication prescribed
avoiding things that can cause problems, such as smoking and excessive drinking

If you have diabetic neuropathy, discuss with your doctor or diabetes nurse how to protect your skin and deal with pain. The usual pain relief, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, might not work with the pain of diabetic neuropathy. If so, talk to your doctor about other forms of pain relief.

You can also visit a podiatrist (up to 5 visits a year are subsidised for people living with diabetes). They will give you advice on the best shoes and socks to help your feet.