Diabetes is a disorder where there’s too much sugar in the blood. Often times, diabetes can be treated with exercise, a healthy diet and medication. But, complications can develop.
A common complication of diabetes is neuropathy, or nerve damage. According to the American Diabetes Association, about half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage.
This damage often occurs in the nerves of the legs or feet. Symptoms can range from tingling, pain or numbness in the body’s limbs to problems with the digestive system, urinary tract, heart and blood vessels.
Because nerve damage can cause a lack of feeling in the limbs, especially the feet, injuries such as cuts can go unnoticed, which can become serious. Not only does a person not feel if a foot becomes injured, but now if it is injured, the risk of infection is higher because diabetes restricts blood flow to the area.
However, if you keep your blood glucose levels on target, you may help prevent or delay nerve damage. If you already have nerve damage, this will help prevent or delay further damage.
There are also other treatments that can help, be sure to ask your doctor.