Nerve Damage
Diabetic patients can, over time, suffer from damage to nerves throughout the body, known as Neuropathies. Neuropathies can lead to numbness and most of the time pain and weakness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs, this can also occur to every organ system. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk. The symptoms related to nerve damage may include:
- Wasting of the muscles of the feet or hands
- Vomiting or nausea
- diarrhoea or constipation
- Problems with urination
- Impotence or vaginal dryness
- weakness and weight loss
- Depression
Nerve damage is likely due to a combination of factors such as:
- Long duration of diabetes with low levels of insulin
- Leading to damage to the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves
- Smoking and alcohol use
Neuropathy affects nerves throughout the body and the best way to prevent this is to keep your blood glucose levels as close to the normal range as possible. Therefore it is important to plan your healthy meals and exercise regularly.
