It can also Diabetic neuropathy in the legs some symptoms. Diabetic neuropathy in the legs your provider:. Leegs referral to neuroapthy podiatrist may be appropriate for assessment and ongoing preventive management of foot complications. They are:. About half of those people with diabetic neuropathy experience significant pain in their feet and increased sensitivity to painful stimuli known as neuropathic pain or painful neuropathy. Yes No.

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Diabetic neuropathy in the legs -

A referral to a podiatrist may be appropriate for assessment and ongoing preventive management of foot complications. Appropriate pain management can significantly improve the lives of people with diabetes and painful neuropathy. A number of different medications are available, which produce comparable effects.

Most people would begin with one of either:. If one type fails to provide the response required, it is usual to switch to or add another. If all 3 agents alone or in combination fail, then opioid analgesics and tramadol may be used as second-line treatments.

Be guided by your doctor, but general suggestions to reduce the risk of diabetic neuropathy include:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. About neuropathy Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy Autonomic neuropathy Causes of diabetic neuropathy Risk factors for diabetic neuropathy Diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy Treatment for diabetic neuropathy Treatment for painful neuropathy Prevention of diabetic neuropathy Where to get help.

About neuropathy Neuropathy means damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy Most people with diabetic neuropathy are unaware that they have nerve damage, until it is picked up on routine screening by their doctor. These symptoms can have a major effect on health and wellbeing because: balance problems increase the risk of falls weakness leads to deformities in the feet, like claw or hammer toes, and bunions numbness means damage to the feet may go unnoticed.

Together, these can lead to the formation of a foot ulcer. Autonomic neuropathy The autonomic nerves, which regulate the functioning of organs and glands without our conscious effort, can also be damaged by diabetes. Causes of diabetic neuropathy High glucose and lipid fat levels in the blood, and the toxic byproducts they generate through their metabolism, are thought to be the major causes of neuropathy associated with diabetes.

Risk factors for diabetic neuropathy The longer a person has diabetes and the worse the control of their diabetes, the more likely they will develop diabetic neuropathy. Diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy The diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy may include: taking a medical history for symptoms typical of neuropathy checking your feet and legs for responses to stimuli such as temperature, light touch, pain, movement and vibration checking the reflexes at your ankles and knees tests to exclude other possible causes of neuropathy such as low vitamin B 1 or thiamine levels.

Treatment for diabetic neuropathy Damaged nerves cannot be repaired. However, the risk of further complications in the feet can be reduced by: vigilance — regular inspection of the feet for early signs of trouble or potential problem areas such as breaks in skin, signs of infection or deformity getting help at the first sign of trouble — early treatment of foot ulcers gives the best chance that they will heal good foot and nail hygiene choosing appropriate socks and shoes properly fitted to the shape of your foot avoiding activities that may injure the feet.

Check shoes for stones, sticks and other foreign objects that might hurt your feet every time before putting your shoes on.

Treatment for painful neuropathy Appropriate pain management can significantly improve the lives of people with diabetes and painful neuropathy. Most people would begin with one of either: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as venlafaxine, duloxetine tricyclics antidepressants such as amityptiline anti-epileptics such as gabapentin, pregabalin.

Prevention of diabetic neuropathy Be guided by your doctor, but general suggestions to reduce the risk of diabetic neuropathy include: Maintain blood glucose levels within the target ranges.

A tuning fork may be used to test your vibration threshold. A doctor may also test your ankle reflexes. In some cases, they may also perform a nerve conduction study , which can assess nerve damage by measuring the speed and strength of nerve signals.

Keeping your blood sugar levels within a healthy range is the best way to decrease the likelihood of developing diabetic neuropathy or slow its progression.

It can also relieve some symptoms. Quitting smoking , if applicable, and exercising regularly are also parts of a comprehensive treatment plan. Always talk with a doctor or healthcare professional before beginning a new fitness routine. You may also ask a doctor about complementary treatments or supplements for neuropathy.

Medications may be used to treat pain caused by diabetic neuropathy. Talk with a doctor about the available medications and their potential side effects. Several medications have been shown to help with symptoms.

You may also want to consider alternative therapies such as acupuncture. Some research has found capsaicin to be helpful. Alternative therapies may provide additional relief when used in conjunction with medication.

Depending on your type of neuropathy, a doctor can suggest medications, therapies, or lifestyle changes that may help deal with symptoms and ward off complications. For example, if you have problems with digestion as a result of your neuropathy, a doctor may suggest you eat smaller meals more often and limit the amount of fiber and fat in your diet.

If you have vaginal dryness, a doctor may suggest a lubricant. If you have erectile dysfunction , they may prescribe medication that can help. Peripheral neuropathy is very common in people with diabetes and can lead to serious foot complications , which in turn can lead to amputation.

Diabetic neuropathy can often be avoided if you manage your blood glucose vigilantly. To do this, be consistent in:. If you do develop diabetic neuropathy, work closely with a doctor and follow their recommendations for slowing its progression.

With proper care, you can reduce the damage to your nerves and avoid complications. Read this article in Spanish. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Type 2 Diabetes. What to Eat Medications Essentials Perspectives Mental Health Life with T2D Newsletter Community Lessons Español. Everything You Should Know About Diabetic Neuropathy.

Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD — By Carmella Wint, Matthew Solan, and Brian Wu — Updated on November 22, Symptoms Types Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that develops gradually and is caused by long-term high blood sugar levels.

What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy? What are the different types of diabetic neuropathy? Explore our top resources. What causes diabetic neuropathy? Discover more about Type 2 Diabetes.

How is diabetic neuropathy diagnosed? How is diabetic neuropathy treated? Can I prevent diabetic neuropathy? How we reviewed this article: Sources.

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Nov 22, Edited By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD. Share this article. Read this next. Diabetic Neuropathy: Can It Be Reversed? Medically reviewed by Sharon Stoll, DO, MS. Symptoms of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a painful condition caused by nerve damage from diabetes.

Diabetic neuropathy in the legs This is required. Error: Not Hydration-promoting ingredients valid neropathy. Diabetic neuropathy can Low glycemic lifestyle if you have type Diabetkc or lebs 2 diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage. It most often affects the nerves in your legs and feet. The most common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are numbness, tingling, a burning feeling, aching, cramps and weakness. Diabetic neuropatht is nerve tthe Low glycemic lifestyle is caused by diabetes. Nerves neurlpathy bundles of special tissues that carry Meal plan timing between Low glycemic lifestyle brain and other parts of your body. The signals. Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that typically affects the feet and legs and sometimes affects the hands and arms. Autonomic neuropathy is damage to nerves that control your internal organs.