There are severe consequences suffered by diabetics who experience loss of nerve function because of diabetic neuropathy. Ten percent of those affected will experience chronic neuropathy pain when touched. Diabetic neuropathy also causes a high incident of problems with the feet and sufferers often contact “diabetic foot,” which includes infection, ulceration and soft tissue damage. These afflictions can result in amputation of one or both feet if treatment is unsuccessful.
Today, one hundred fifty million people word wide suffer from diabetes. Researchers estimate that approximately fifteen percent will at some time develop foot ulceration and infection as a result of diabetic or peripheral neuropathy. One percent of Europeans and North Americans and eleven percent of Africans who suffer from diabetes will develop active foot ulceration. Therefore, foot care in diabetics is an extremely important part of diabetic treatment. All diabetics should take special care to minimize the risk of foot trauma, ulceration and small cuts that could cause infection of one or both feet.
Symptoms
Diabetic neuropathy can involve either one nerve or a group of nerves, but most commonly affects numerous peripheral nerves. This condition is referred to as poly-neuropathy and affects the arms, hands, feet and legs. Diabetics most often experience more problems with feet and legs. The neuropathy affects sensory nerves, causing a loss of sensation. When testing for this, doctors run their finger along the bottom of the foot to discover whether or not the diabetic patient has lost feeling.
Symptoms can vary from mild to extreme, depending on the nerves being affected. Some diabetics may not experience any symptoms until complications become evident. One of the first symptoms that appear is numbness or pain in the ankles and feet, as well as burning or tingling. These symptoms often become worse when the diabetic is at rest or during the night. Other symptoms include muscle paralysis or weakness or the loss of reflexes. These symptoms may be present in the arms and hands as well.
The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy can appear suddenly or come about gradually. Diabetics need to be aware that symptoms can change as their diabetes progresses and the consequences they will experience if these symptoms are ignored. If diabetic neuropathy is managed in regular diabetic treatment and is detected early, advancement may be prevented or delayed from progressing to the next stage.