As the name suggests, diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder caused by diabetes. Over many years, diabetic patients suffer damage to nerves all over the body. The longer a person has been diabetic, the greater the danger of diabetic neuropathy. Such nerve damage can manifest itself anywhere in the body, such as the digestive system, sex organs, or heart. It can lead to lack of sensation, tingling in the hands, arms, feet or legs. It is estimated that more than 50 percent of people who have diabetes are affected by some type of neuropathy, and maximum rates of neuropathy are amongst the populace who have had diabetes for close to 25 years. It is not limited only to diabetic patients; it could also affect people who are not able to control their blood pressure, who are overweight or persons over 40 years of age.Types:There are different classifications of diabetic neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathyAutonomic neuropathy Proximal neuropathy Focal neuropathyEach type affects specific parts of the body in different ways.Symptoms:Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy depend on the types of neuropathy. The most common symptoms of neuropathy include numbness and loss of feeling, usually in the feet and hands; they also include tickling or pricking pain.Symptoms include weakness, pain, and numbness, which may be serious enough to interfere with daily activities, they usually develop 10-20 years after the initial diabetes diagnosis, other are stomach problems and muscle weakness. Often, the symptoms are slight at first (The initial symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are pain, tingling and loss of feeling in the feet), but then they increment overtime. An estimated 10 to 65% of those with diabetes have some form of neuropathy, but not all with neuropathy have symptoms. Over 45% of individuals who have had diabetes for over 25 years will experience some symptoms of painful diabetic neuropathy. Some symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are described as a ‘stocking and glove’ distribution, meaning that the symptoms affect the foot, leg and hand.Praevention:As with all diabetic complications, prevention is the best treatment. Keeping the blood sugar levels within a normal range is the most important tool in treating and preventing peripheral neuropathy. Even with tight control, most diabetics will develop some level of neuropathy. Considering the severity of the complicationTreatment:Treatments would deal with maintaining safe blood glucose levels with the assistance of diets and drugs. Care should be taken to protect the feet – a significant component of the treatment. Diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy is essentially reliant on how well diabetes is handled. Good treatment could prevent the development of diabetic neuropathy, but once present, diabetic neuropathy has no cure. Pain caused by diabetic neuropathy is so brutal that a secondary diabetic symptom is often depression.Treating painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy is very difficult and many of the above mentioned therapies should be tried and combined. Don’t expect any “cures” and make sure you give each therapy a chance to work. It is recommended to talk with your physician or podiatrist to discuss these treatment options.