This peripheral nerve disorder is caused by diabetes or poor blood sugar control. The most common types of diabetic neuropathy result in problems with sensation in the feet. It can develop slowly after many years of diabetes or may occur early in the disease. The symptoms include:
- Numbness
- Pain
- Tingling in the feet or lower legs
The pain can be intense and require treatment to relieve the discomfort. The loss of sensation in the feet may also increase the possibility that foot injuries will go unnoticed and develop into ulcers or lesions that become infected.
In some cases, diabetic neuropathy can be associated with difficulty walking and some weakness in the foot muscles.
Treatments include controlling blood sugar levels with diet and medication, wearing properly fitting shoes, regularly checking the feet for cuts and infection, warm baths, elastic stockings, regular walking, and medications like analgesics, antidepressants (at low doses), and some anticonvulsant medications.
