Diabetic Neuropathy
Introduction to Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of long-standing diabetes, which affects the nerves of the body.1 Diabetic neuropathy can affect all the tissues and the organs of the body. Initially, symptoms cannot be observed, but later pain, numbness or loss of feeling in hands, arms, feet and legs can be observed. Treatments are given to subside the symptoms. The key to management of this disorder is adequate control of the blood sugar levels.
Epidemiology (Occurence of Diabetic Neuropathy in Different Groups)
Epidemiological studies suggest that prevalence of neuropathy in diabetic patients is 30% in hospital patients and 20% in patients living in communities.2
Approximately, about 60–70% of the people with diabetes suffer from neuropathy and the onset can be at any time in life. A recent study revealed that about 7% of the patients had neuropathy on diagnosis of diabetes and 50% of the diabetic neuropathy patients were among people who had diabetes for more than 25 years. In other words, the incidence of neuropathy in diabetic patients increases with the period of diabetes and the degree of hyperglycemia.3
It is not possible to predict accurate prevalence rate as the criteria for diagnosis, patients receiving medical care vary and in some cases, the disease remains undiagnosed in a large population.4
Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy
Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy depend on the kind the nerves affected and involve sensory, motor and autonomic nervous system. The pain may be sudden or severe in patients suffering with focal neuropathy. Some of the
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Types of Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathies are classified as generalized and multifocal neuropathies. Generalized neuropathies are further classified as:
- Distal symmetric polyneuropathy
- Large fiber sensory
- Small fiber painful sensory
- Subclinical neuropathy
- Acute painful diabetic neuropathy
- Autonomic neuropathy
Multifocal neuropathies are also further classified as:
- Compressive focal neuropathies
- Carpal tunnel syndrome,
- Ulnar neuropathy
- Peroneal neuropathy
- Noncompressive focal and multifocal neuropathies
- Diabetic amyotrophy
- Mononeuritis multiplex
- Cranial neuropathies
- Femoral, sciatic, ulnar, peroneal neuropathies
- Truncal neuropathies
Risk Factors for Diabetic Neuropathy
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Diagnosis of Diabetic Neuropathy
Diagnosis is based on the symptoms and physical examination, which includes hypertension, heart rate, muscle strength, touch, vibration, temperature etc. People diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy should get their foot
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Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy
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Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: February 11, 2010