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Diabetic neuropathy

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Nerve damage - diabetic

Symptoms:

• Numbness (decreased or lost sensation to a body part)
• Tingling
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Loss of bladder control
• Impotence
• Facial drooping
• Drooping eyelid
• Drooping mouth
• Vision changes
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Swallowing difficulty
• Speech impairment
• Muscle cramps

Note: Symptoms vary depending on the nerve(s) affected and may include symptoms other than those listed. Symptoms usually develop gradually over years.

Signs and tests:

Physical examination , including neurological and sensory tests, may reveal many neuropathies. A common early finding is the absence of ankle reflexes.Health care providers often test for loss of sensation in the feet with a brush-like instrument called a monofilament.

References:

Vinik AI. Diabetic neuropathies. Med Clin North Am . 2004; 88(4): 947-99.

• Review Date: 5/12/2006
• Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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