Do I Have Diabetic Neuropathy?

Do you have a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes?

Do you have diabetes for 20 years or more?

Do you have numbness in your hands and feet, or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes?

Do you have tingling or burning sensation in your hands and feet?

Do you have sharp pains or cramps in your legs or arms?

Do you have increased sensitivity to touch (even a bed sheet’s weight can be painful)?

Do you have foot problems, such as ulcers, infections, and bone and joint pain?

Do you have bladder or bowel problems (incontinence, incomplete bladder emptying, diarrhea or constipation)?

Do you have indigestion or slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis) (causing nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite)?

Do you have vision problems such as difficulty focusing or double vision?

Do you have severe pain in a hip and thigh or buttock or difficulty rising from a sitting position?

Do you have decreased sex drive?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a medical condition that refers to various types of nerve damage in people who have diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves all over the body causing a variety of symptoms. People who have had diabetes for many years, or have poorly regulated blood sugar levels, have the highest risk of diabetic neuropathy. The first symptoms of neuropathy often manifest as numbness or pain in the legs, feet and hands. About 50 percent of people with diabetes will develop some type of diabetic neuropathy during their life.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder caused by a long-term high blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. There are several types of diabetic neuropathy: peripheral neuropathy (damage to the nerves of your legs, feet, hands and arms), autonomic neuropathy (damage to nerves that control your internal organs), focal neuropathy (damage to a specific nerve) and proximal neuropathy (a rare type of nerve damage on one side of the body, which often affects the hips, thighs, buttocks and legs). A diagnosis is based on your medical history, a physical examination and various tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a common but serious complication of diabetes. It is a condition characterized by nerve damage in various parts of the body. Diabetic neuropathy develops slowly over time. People with diabetes, in addition to high blood sugar levels, often have high levels of fat (triglycerides) in their blood, which together lead to the nerve damage. Diabetic neuropathy often results in loss of sensation in the feet, accompanied by ulcers, sores, and infections. The treatment goal is to slow the progression of the disease, relieve pain and manage the symptoms.