How to Spot the Symptoms of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy refers to damage to the nerves in the arms, legs, hands, and feet, as the result of diabetes. In usually develops over a long period of time, and it is frequently diagnosed before the diabetes itself. Overall, about 70% of people with diabetes have neuropathy to some degree, and spotting the condition before it gets bad is the first step in treating it. When you are looking for the symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, there are a few things in particular to watch out for.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look at how your feet feel. When diabetic peripheral neuropathy occurs, you will notice several symptoms in the sensations in your feet. You may notice signs of tingling at first. This may also manifest as a prickly sensation, similar to how your feet feel when they wake up after, “falling asleep.” In some cases, you may even experience sharp pains or the sensation of heat. You may notice similar sensations in your hands and fingers.

2. Check and make sure that you have full feeling in your feet. One of the main symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is numbness in the feet, and, to a much lesser extent, the hands. In some cases, it can even cause heightened sensation, making your feet and legs extremely sensitive to touch and temperature.

3. Check your sense of balance. The lack of feeling combined with the damage to the nerves causes the feet and legs to weaken, further leading to a lack of balance and an overall loss of coordination.

4. Examine your feet and lower legs for any skin problems. Ingrown toenails, very dry skin, broken skin, and slow-healing ulcers are very common in those suffering from diabetic neuropathy. In advanced cases, the damage to the foot can be very severe, requiring surgery, or even, in very bad cases, amputation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have reached the point where you have open ulcers or have sustained damage to your feet, see a doctor immediately.