Diabetic neuropathy refers to a type of nerve damage in patients with diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy typically occurs in cases of untreated or unmanaged type I or type II diabetes when glucose (or blood sugar) levels are so excessively high that they begin to cause permanent damage to nerves, most often causing numbness, tingling, and pain in the extremities, such as the legs and feet, or hands and fingers. However, depending on what type of diabetic neuropathy, the patient may experience mobility issues, cardiovascular damage (i.e., blood vessels), digestive system ailments, and urinary tract issues.

Diabetic neuropathy is considered a prevalent complications among diabetic patients who:

• Have had diabetes for a long time.
• Are older in age, 60-years or older.
• Who don’t manage their diabetes or blood sugars properly.

The four main types of diabetic neuropathy may be prevented or delayed by monitoring and controlling blood sugar, as well as with the adoption of a healthy diet and regular exercise. They include:

1. Proximal neuropathy
Proximal neuropathy, also referred to as radiculoplexus neuropathy, is the rarest form of diabetic neuropathy and also the debilitating. It typically begins on one side of the body, doing damage to the nerves of the leg, thigh, hip, and buttock on one side, and then gradually affecting the same areas on the other side of the body. Telltale symptoms of this type include a swollen abdomen; worsening pain in the leg, hip, thigh, or buttock; mobility issues (i.e., standing from sitting); muscle wasting; and drastic weight loss.

2. Focal neuropathy
Also known as mononeuropathy, focal neuropathy causes swift damage to specific nerves, one at a time in the legs, shins, front thighs, chest, feet, hands, torso or pelvis, and even the face and eyes. However, this nerve damage is typically short-term in nature, disappearing completely without any treatment after a few weeks. Symptoms may include sudden and severe pain an affected nerve, eye pain, Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis on one side), carpal tunnel syndrome, weak grip, tingling fingers, and vision issues.

3. Autonomic neuropathy
Autonomic neuropathy strikes the autonomic nervous system causing damage to the specific nerve system resposible for operation of the intestines, sexual organs, bladder, stomach, and heart. So symptoms will relect the specific internal organ affected. For instance, if the bladder is targeted the patient may experience incontinence, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and diarrhea or constipation. If the digestive system is affected by loss of appetite, indigestion, vomiting, and severe bloating may occur. And if the heart is affected, severe sweating, fainting, and plummeting blood pressure may be issues.

4. Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is the most prevalent type of diabetic neuropathy and often impacts the patient’s legs and feet. This type affects approximately 50% of older patients with type II diabetes, according to the National Diabetes Foundation. Symptoms of the peripheral type may include sharp bone and joint pain, tingling, cramping, poor balance, weakening muscles, reduced sensitivity to temperature (cold and heat), and infections and ulcers of the feet.