Diabetic neuropathy is a form of nerve damage that can affect anyone who has been diagnosed as a diabetic when high glucose sugar (or glucose) levels damage the nerves throughout the body, and most often in the feet and legs. This illness is a serious condition resulting in pain in addition to the following common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy:

1. Cramps
Diabetics are the largest group of people who experience more muscle cramps and pain than other ailments. The culprit for this symptom is fluctuating blood sugar levels. When the blood sugar levels are high, this interrupts the regular flow of water and electrolytes to your legs and feet. The result is sharp pain or cramping in the legs and feet. Also, the body will excrete extra sugar through the urine along with expelling necessary electrolytes. Joint pains with weakness can occur in the thighs, buttocks, hips, arms, hands, feet, legs, fingers, and toes. Other effects include functional issues with the bowel, bladder, excess perspiration, lack of sexual functions, eyes, digestive system, the heart, and a variety of bodily functions.

2. Touch sensitivity
Many diabetics suffer increased sensitivity to touch in the feet and legs. Individuals report that putting socks on or shoes causes pain. The small fibrous nerves in the feet and legs are damaged and are unable to tell the brain to feel sensations. Instead, there is skin or touch sensitivity to that part of the body. There is help with this symptom. Natural remedies are available to control the sensitivity to touch and help with its improvement.

3. Foot issues
Foot pain and other issues can include “diabetic foot.” This is a complication that occurs in the feet and is a life-threatening ailment if not managed quickly. The restricted flow of the blood vessels and damaged nerves in the foot can create foot ulcers, infections, and severe joint pain. When the normal blood flow to the tissues in the feet is impeded, the skin changes its texture whereby foot ulcers could form. Foot ulcers occur on the soles of the feet. They are not painful which means that they can develop an infection that is unknown to the person. This type of infection can go deeper into the foot and can spread causing abscesses, cellulitis, and other symptoms.

4. Numbness and tingling
Foot numbness occurs because the nerves within the feet have been damaged as a lack of flowing blood and oxygen to this part of the body. Nearly 70% of diabetics suffer from this foot condition. Right before your foot goes numb, you will experience a sharp tingling in your toes and foot. Diabetic neuropathy causes the nerves in your feet, legs, hands, and arms to be most affected with annoying tingling or burning sensations. The feet are apt to be most affected because the nerves leading to your feet are the longest in your body. This means that your feet are the most intensely affected.

There are different categories of diabetic neuropathy: autonomic, peripheral, proximal, and focal neuropathy. Each neuropathy ailment affects the nerves and muscles differently. Depending on the type of neuropathy a diabetic is diagnosed with, depends on the type of joint pain diabetics will experience. The best way to prevent diabetic neuropathy is to follow your physician’s instructions and change your lifestyle to help maintain healthy blood glucose levels.