What is diabetic neuropathy and how does it affect feet?

 Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. High blood sugar (glucose) can injure nerves throughout the body, but the most common type of diabetic neuropathy affects the legs and feet

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. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy in the feet include:

• Increased pain sensitivity
• Numbness or weakness
• Slow-healing foot or leg sores (ulcers)
• Tingling
• Total loss of sensation in your feet
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Peripheral neuropathy is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy. Your feet and legs are often affected first, followed by your hands and arms. Possible signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:

• Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes
• A tingling or burning sensation
• Sharp, jabbing, or electric-like pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch, even light touch
• Muscle weakness and difficulty walking
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Serious foot problems, such as ulcers, infections, deformities, and bone and joint pain
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Diabetic neuropathy can cause foot complications, such as sores, ulcers, and infections, because nerve damage can make you lose feeling in your feet. As a result, you may not notice that your shoes are causing a sore or that you have injured your feet. Nerve damage can also cause problems with balance and coordination, leading to falls and fractures. Therefore, foot care is very important for all people with diabetes, and it’s even more important if you have peripheral neuropathy. Check your feet for problems every day, and take good care of your feet

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