Neuropathy Is a Common Complication of Diabetes

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Diabetes can be a difficult and frustrating disease. Managing it takes time and effort. And it can get on your nerves - both figuratively and literally. About half of all people with diabetes will eventually experience foot problems that stem from neuropathy, or nerve damage. November is Diabetes Awareness Month. All of us at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center want our patients in Monmouth County to increase their awareness of diabetes-related nerve damage to the feet. 

What is neuropathy?

Uncontrolled high blood sugar, the hallmark of diabetes, can damage the nerves anywhere in your body. Peripheral neuropathy, the kind that affects those with diabetes most often, causes some or all of the following symptoms in the lower legs and feet:

  • numbness

  • tingling

  • burning

  • weakness

  • pain

These symptoms range from mild to debilitating. Walking on feet that are affected by diabetic neuropathy can be difficult. Nerve damage may become permanent. For all of these reasons, if you think you might have peripheral neuropathy, it’s important to speak to one of our board-certified podiatrists Dr. Samantha Boyd, Dr. Hal Ornstein, Dr. Dan Phan, and Dr. Joseph Saka.  

Why you shouldn’t ignore it

Patients with diabetes whose feet are affected by neuropathy may damage their feet and not know it. Messages that nerves would normally convey from the feet to the brain such as “this pavement feels hot” or “I stubbed my toe and it really hurts” simply don’t arrive. Consequently, unless you check your feet daily, it’s easy to overlook damage to the skin that can quickly turn into wounds that don’t heal well.  

Here’s the takeaway: diabetic neuropathy puts you at increased risk for dangerous infections and lower limb amputations.  

What you can do

To minimize the risks associated with neuropathy, people with diabetes should

  • be diligent about controlling their blood glucose

  • avoid skin damage by wearing diabetic shoes and shoe inserts

  • examine their feet every day

  • make an appointment with us if you have redness, soreness, skin lesions, or pain that interferes with your daily living. Contact us online or call our Howell and Jackson, New Jersey offices at (732) 905-1110.