Diabetes is the main cause of peripheral neuropathy. We’re supporting diabetes awareness month by promoting diabetes education. By learning about what can increase your risk of getting diabetes and the signs that show you might have it, you can take steps to prevent it or manage it better.
Diabetes facts
One in 10 people worldwide are living with diabetes. The International Diabetes (IDF) Diabetes Atlas (2021) reports that 10.5% of the adult population (20-79 years) has diabetes, with almost half unaware that they are living with the condition. By 2045, IDF projections show that 1 in 8 adults, approximately 783 million, will be living with diabetes, an increase of 46%.
In the United States, over 38 million children and adults have diabetes. In 2022, the cost of diabetes was more than $412.9 billion, which is a lot more than the $327 billion in 2017.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that happens when a person’s blood sugar, or glucose, is too high. Glucose is the energy our bodies need to function. Our bodies can make glucose, but it’s also found in food.
Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose into our cells so we can use it for energy. If you have diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it properly. This means glucose stays in your blood instead of going into your cells.
Having diabetes can cause problems for your eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. It can also increase the chance of some cancers. Taking steps to prevent or manage diabetes can help lower your risk of these health issues.
How is diabetes linked to peripheral neuropathy?
Diabetes is the main cause of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in the United States, making up about 60% of PN cases.
What is diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy happens when high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) causes nerve damage over time. This can affect people with long-term diabetes, like Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. But not everyone with diabetes gets neuropathy.
Nerve damage can also happen from other things, like pinched nerves, inflammation, not getting enough nutrients, or injuries. Doctors call it diabetes-related neuropathy when you have diabetes and they can’t find another reason for the nerve problems.
How common is diabetic neuropathy?
Research shows that up to 70% of people with diabetes may develop peripheral neuropathy. More than 30% may have autonomic neuropathy.
What to watch for
The first signs of diabetic neuropathy often include numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet, legs, or hands. Over several years, this can lead to muscle weakness in the feet and a loss of reflexes, especially around the ankles. As nerve damage increases, people may lose the ability to feel temperature or pain in their feet. This makes it easier to develop foot injuries, skin problems, or infections because they can’t feel when something is wrong.
How is diabetic neuropathy diagnosed?
To diagnose neuropathy, you start with your healthcare provider. They will ask you detailed questions about your medical history and how you manage your diabetes. They’ll want to know about your symptoms and will perform a physical exam. Tests like a foot exam, nerve conduction studies, and EMG (electromyography) can help confirm diabetes-related neuropathy.
Additional resources
- American Diabetes Association
- International Diabetes Federation
- NIH Diabetes fact page
- NIH Diabetic Neuropathy fact page
- Diabetic PN webinar recording
- Holistic management of diabetic PN webinar recording
- Diabetes related foot complications podcast
- Cleveland Clinic diabetic PN
- Diabetes facts by state