Diabetes &
Nerve Health
Understanding Diabetes Nerve Talk (Diabetes Peripheral Neuropathy)
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Peripheral
Neuropathy
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Have you felt “pins and needles” or tingling in your feet? Maybe you feel like you’re wearing socks or gloves when you aren’t.
Your feet may be very sensitive to touch—even a bed sheet can hurt. These are all symptoms of peripheral nerve damage.
The good news is that you can take steps to prevent and manage the condition.
Please scroll down to see the interpretation of your Diabetes Talk Questions.
Brain and Cognitive Care In Diabetes
Self-Care for Nerve Health in Diabetes
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Regular foot checks, balanced sugar levels, and an active lifestyle are key to nerve care.
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The right shoes and skincare help avoid harm and further issues.
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Go back to the Diabetes Language Interpreter
Detailed Nerve Health Insights
Sensory
Changes
Question 1
Have you felt any unusual changes in your hands or feet, such as:
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A prickling feeling?
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A burning feeling?
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A loss of feeling or numbness?
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Pain or unusual weakness
What could Diabetes be saying?
If you're experiencing sensations like burning, tingling, numbness, or pain in your limbs, it's possible these are signs of nerve issues often linked to diabetes.(Sensory Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy)
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Diabetes can cause these sensory symptoms which might mean your nerves are being affected due to high sugar and fat levels in the body.
These signs are important to notice as they can indicate the beginning or worsening of nerve problems.
Movement
Changes
Question 2
Have you noticed any of these changes in your body:
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Tending to lose your balance or fall more often?
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Any change in the way you walk?
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Are your feet getting puffy or swollen?
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Pain in your feet when you walk?
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What Could Diabetes Be Saying?
If you are saying 'yes' to questions about movement or balance, diabetes may be affecting your muscles and nerves, leading to what are known as Motor (movement) Symptoms.
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Issues like altered walking, instability, weak muscles, or puffiness in feet can happen with nerve problems in diabetes, impacting your ability to move and perform daily tasks.
Night Time
Signs
Question 3
Do you have any of these problems at night:
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Pain or prickling in your feet gets worse
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Trouble sleeping because your arms or legs are uncomfortable?
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Difficulty feeling the position of your arms or legs when it's dark?
What Could Diabetes Be Saying?
If you're noticing more discomfort in your limbs at night, it could mean your diabetes is affecting your nerves, known as peripheral neuropathy.
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These troubles can worsen after dark, often disrupting sleep. This may be due to less distraction at night, cooler temperatures, and the way our bodies cycle hormones, all of which can make the pain, aching, or burning feelings more noticeable.
References: Based on Published Medical Literature. All references are on file. For details please connect with us at hsa@obesityinternational.org
More About Peripheral Nerve Care
Click the following links to explore Peripheral Neuropathy in depth. Please note that the content for the following links is provided by our sponsors as per their terms and conditions
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Disclaimer:
The content provided by the Language of Diabetes program, including its Diabetes 'Language Interpreter' Tool and Doctor Workshops, is solely for educational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns and never delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment based on information from this program. The creators and sponsors of the Language of Diabetes are not liable for any reliance on the information provided here.