Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms

In many cases, diabetic neuropathy symptoms are minor at first. Because most nerve damage occurs over several years, mild cases may go unnoticed for a long time. Some common signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include problems with urination, erectile dysfunction, and numbness, tingling, or pain in the extremities.

Diabetic Neuropathy Information

An Overview of Diabetic Neuropathy Signs and Symptoms

Over time, people with diabetes can develop nerve damage throughout the body. Some people have no diabetic neuropathy symptoms at all. For others, numbness, tingling, and/or pain in the feet are often the first symptoms of this problem. Often, the symptoms are minor at first, and since most nerve damage occurs over several years, mild cases may go unnoticed for a long time.

Diabetic neuropathy symptoms may involve the sensory or motor nervous system, as well as the involuntary (autonomic) nervous system. In some people, mainly those with focal neuropathy, the onset of pain may be sudden and severe.

Common Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms

Common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy may include:

Numbness, tingling, or pain in the toes, feet, legs, hands, arms, and fingers
Wasting of the muscles of the feet or hands
Indigestion, nausea, or vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Dizziness or faintness due to a drop in postural blood pressure
Problems with urination
Erectile dysfunction (diabetic impotence) or vaginal dryness
Weakness.

In addition, the following symptoms are not due to neuropathy but nevertheless often accompany diabetic neuropathy symptoms:

Weight loss
Depression.

As might be expected, a person's symptoms depend on the type of diabetic neuropathy and which nerves are affected.

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