When diabetes damages your nerves, it can cause bodily pain and weakness. The condition, known as diabetic neuropathy, can affect your legs and feet. If you suffer from diabetes and have noticed recent unusual changes to your body, call Dr. Harmeet Singh at Clinical Neurology in Leesburg, Virginia,, or schedule your consultation online. Clinical Neurology is currently accepting new patients from Leesburg, Lansdowne, Ashburn, Purcellville, Sterling, Herndon and surrounding areas.
Neuropathy is a condition brought on by damaged nerves. In the case of diabetic neuropathy, the damage is caused by uncontrolled high blood sugar.
Diabetic neuropathy has four main classifications, each with its own symptoms:
Peripheral neuropathy
The most common form of diabetic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy affects the extremities, typically starting with the legs. Symptoms may include:
Autonomic neuropathy
When diabetes affects the autonomic nervous system — which controls such organs as your heart, lungs, and sexual organs — autonomic neuropathy is the result. The nervous system is responsible for so many of your bodily functions, and symptoms can include:
Radiculoplexus neuropathy
Also called diabetic amyotrophy, this neuropathy affects the nerves in the legs, hips, thighs, and buttocks, and is most common in people with type 2 diabetes. Symptoms include:
Mononeuropathy
Mononeuropathy occurs when there is damage to a specific nerve and can occur nearly anywhere on the body. For the most part, the affected nerve causes pain, but no long-term problems. The pain usually subsides with time.
There is currently no known cure for diabetic neuropathy, though properly maintaining your blood sugar levels can help prevent it. Dr. Singh also recommends a personalized plan that includes exercise, dietary measures, and physical therapy to help you stay healthy.
Dr. Singh treats pain and other symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy by prescribing medications. Following your treatment plan in combination with Dr. Singh’s recommended lifestyle changes is your best bet for avoiding the effects of neuropathy.
If you have diabetes and you’re concerned about your current lifestyle habits and their role in your health, call Dr. Singh at Clinical Neurology to book your appointment, or schedule online.
