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Diabetic Neuropathy Reviewed 11-08-2001 Get Web page suited for printing Email this to a friend or colleague Studies with patients Table of Contents (click to jump to sections) What is Diabetic Neuropathy?Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations What is Diabetic Neuropathy? Diabetic neuropathy, a nerve disorder caused by diabetes, is characterized by a loss or reduction of sensation in the feet, and in some cases the hands, and pain and weakness in the feet. The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, which vary among patients, are often slight at first. In fact, some mild cases may go unnoticed for a long time. The first sign of the disease is usually numbness, pain, or tingling in the hands, feet, or legs. After several years this may lead to weakness in the muscles of the feet. Occasionally, diabetic neuropathy can flare up suddenly and affect a specific nerve that may result in double vision or drooping of the eyelid, or weakness and atrophy of the thigh muscles. Nerve damage caused by diabetes generally occurs over a period of years and may lead to problems with internal organs including the digestive tract and sexual organs. These problems can then tend to cause indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, bladder infections, and impotence. The loss of sensation in the feet is important as it may increase the possibility of injuries of which the patient is not aware. These foot injuries can develop into ulcers or lesions that can become infected. In some cases, ulcers may not heal and amputation may be required. Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
National Chronic Pain Outreach Association
(NCPOA)
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial
Research (NIDCR)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
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