Diabetes is a very debilitating disease, and that alone is bad enough. Sadly, though, diabetes can lead to many other complications, many of which are chronic and even life threatening. One of the worst of the possible complications is diabetic neuropathy. This condition results in damage to the nerves, which means that messages from the body to the brain don't get through. It's easy to see how debilitating this condition can be, because the nervous system is central to the correct functioning of our bodies. It's possible that diabetic neuropathy can cause a loss of movement in the limbs or a loss of sensation. It can affect food digestion, the efficient functioning of the heart and potentially cause impotence in males.

Diabetes seriously limits the ability of the body to metabolize sugar. This leads to a buildup of glucose, which can reach potentially dangerous levels. One of the dangers is that the nerves can become damaged. Blood is used to transport sugar around the body, and blood also travels through the nerves. The high level of sugar traveling through the blood is what causes the nerve damage.

Unfortunately, neuropathy is more common in males. Neuropathy is also present in at least 10% of diabetics, and some research in the US has put that level as high as 65%, if you include early stage or mild cases. This is a huge problem, and urgent measures are required to prevent this complication from developing.

It's possible to spot the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy even in its very early stages. Sometimes you will experience a burning sensation in a leg, or it could even be as ordinary as constipation or diarrhea. For men, it may be an occasional inability to get an erection. For some people, they may suffer an occasional feeling of lightheadedness. Any of these symptoms can be caused by a myriad of issues, but if you already have diabetes, they shouldn't be dismissed as unimportant. There may still be something other than diabetic neuropathy causing the symptom, but it's always better to get it checked out, just to be sure.

Like many things, when it comes to diabetic neuropathy, prevention is better than cure. If you suffer from diabetes, you should always closely monitor the sugar levels in your body. This must be done on a regular basis. If you notice any unusual increases, this should be dealt with immediately. If you are taking medicines or supplements to help control your sugar levels, make sure you take them as recommended. It's also important to become familiar with the diabetic food pyramid and make sure you enjoy a healthy and varied diet utilizing the recommended foods. Exercise is also helpful, so ask your doctor to put together a program for you to follow.