Every day, our team at Dan Preece, DPM, & Darren Groberg, DPM, a branch of Utah Musculoskeletal Specialists in Salt Lake City, Utah, sees how diabetes wreaks havoc on nerves, and we want to help as many people as possible prevent this common consequence of unmanaged high blood sugar.
Here’s what you need to know about diabetic peripheral neuropathy and how to spot the signs.
Neuropathy is nerve damage. It can happen to anyone who undergoes physical trauma or suffers from various conditions, such as Lyme disease, kidney disorders, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vascular problems, hepatitis C, and other nerve-damaging diseases.
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that affects your arms, hands, legs, and feet. It’s a common issue for people with diabetes and can involve sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves.
Sensory nerves allow you to feel pain and temperature differences. Damage to these nerves can lead to numbness and an inability to sense certain feelings.
Motor nerves control muscle movements, and damage here can cause muscle weakness.
Autonomic nerves manage involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion, and damage to them can lead to irregular heartbeats and other issues.
You can develop peripheral neuropathy as a result of an autoimmune disorder, infection, or tumor, but diabetes is the primary cause. More than 50% of people with diabetes eventually develop peripheral neuropathy because high blood sugar levels over time can damage your nerves, leading to numbness, pain, and other symptoms.
This nerve damage often starts in the extremities, hence the term “peripheral.” We offer comprehensive diabetic foot care at Dan Preece, DPM, & Darren Groberg, DPM.
We want to highlight the telltale signs of peripheral neuropathy so you can be on the lookout. The earlier you identify the condition, the more treatable it is. The symptoms you experience depend on the specific nerve affected. Here are some common signs of peripheral neuropathy:
If you notice any of these symptoms, call us.
Drs. Preece, Groberg, and Smith use innovative devices like SUDOSCAN and PSSD to diagnose and monitor neuropathy.
SUDOSCAN evaluates how your sweat glands function, as nerve damage can affect sweating. This test provides a quick and painless way to assess nerve function and detect neuropathy early.
The pressure-specified sensory device (PSSD) tests for sensory deficits and symptoms of nerve entrapment. It evaluates how well your nerves sense pressure and vibrations, helping us pinpoint specific areas of nerve damage.
Managing diabetic peripheral neuropathy calls for more than just medication — it takes lifestyle changes, regular monitoring, and professional healthcare support.
If you’re experiencing signs of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, call us at 801-285-0849, or request an appointment online.
