Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes

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http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies/index.htm

Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the type of neuropathy and which nerves are

affected. Some people have no symptoms at all. For others, numbness,

tingling, or pain in the feet is often the first sign. A person can

experience both pain and numbness. Often, symptoms are minor at

first, and since most nerve damage occurs over several years, mild

cases may go unnoticed for a long time. Symptoms may involve the

sensory or motor nervous system, as well as the involuntary

(autonomic) nervous system. In some people, mainly those with focal

neuropathy, the onset of pain may be sudden and severe.

Symptoms may include

numbness, tingling, or pain in the toes, feet, legs, hands, arms, and

fingers

wasting of the muscles of the feet or hands

indigestion, nausea, or vomiting

diarrhea or constipation

dizziness or faintness due to a drop in postural blood pressure

problems with urination

erectile dysfunction (impotence) or vaginal dryness

weakness

In addition, the following symptoms are not due to neuropathy but

nevertheless often accompany it:

weight loss

depression