How Can Health Care Professionals Help Prevent and Treat Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy. Learn how you can diagnose, treat, and prevent peripheral and autonomic neuropathy in people with diabetes.

At least half of all people with diabetes develop neuropathy, making it one of the most common diabetes complications. Rodica Pop-Busui, MD, PhD, the Larry D. Soderquist professor of diabetes and vice chair of clinical research at the University of Michigan Medical School’s Department of Internal Medicine, shares insights about caring for patients with peripheral and autonomic neuropathy.

Q: What is diabetic neuropathy, and how common is it?

A: Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage and dysfunction caused by diabetes. In fact, diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy overall.

Neuropathy typically develops over several years, as high levels of glucose and fats in the blood damage nerves and small blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients. It is more common in adults than children. People with diabetic neuropathy can have a significant decline in quality of life, with symptoms such as severe, burning pain; loss of sensation, which can lead to loss of balance, trouble walking, falls, and fractures; and foot ulcers, which, if infected, may result in foot or leg amputations.

People may also develop poor sleep, depression, and anxiety and may not be able to do normal daily activities. They are also at increased risk of cardiovascular complications such as arrhythmias and heart failure, as well as gastrointestinal and urological complications and death.