Diabetic Neuropathy is nerve damage caused by poor blood circulation that is a consequence of diabetes. This means that any nerve within the body can be damaged and lead to a malfunction of that nerve or group of nerves. As nerves and the nervous system control and regulate many of the bodies vital organs and everyday functions this means that signs of diabetic neuropathy can manifest anywhere in the body. This article will pinpoint common symptoms and highlight ways to prevent and treat diabetic Neuropathy.

Diabetic Neuropathy is classified into four types. The types commonly describe the nerves affected and their related body areas.

Peripheral Neuropathy concerns the extremities of the body - the feet, hands, legs and arms.

Autonomic Neuropathy applies to the autonomic nervous system which controls the everyday functioning of the heart, stomach, urinary tract and other body functions.

Proximal neuropathy concerns the thighs, buttocks and hips.

Focal neuropathy is concerned with specific nerves or groups of nerves that appear to 'flare up' suddenly causing pain. Focal neuropathy can occur anywhere in the body and effectively means focused or specific nerve problems.

Each of these types of neuropathy have different signs.

The most common form of neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy and primarily concerns the feet and hands. Common signs of diabetic neuropathy in the feet are numbness or insensitivity to pain. If your feet are constantly feeling 'pins and needles' then you should see a doctor.

The feet are also more prone to cuts, bruises and infections because the nerves do not communicate damage or pain to the body. Careful monitoring and care of the feet is a must for diabetics.

Hands are not as prone to nerve damage problems as feet because they are often uncovered and are easier to monitor and care for but they can still be susceptible to cuts and bruises and can lose sensitivity.

Autonomic neuropathy commonly causes stomach problems. This could mean that food is not processed effectively which may lead to constipation, cramps or bloating. The autonomic nervous system also controls the urinary tract which could lead to urinary tract infections or incontinence.

The autonomic nervous system controls the respiratory and cardiovascular systems too, so problems with blood pressure and circulation can occur however these are often hard to detect for the individual and can be caused by other diseases other than diabetic neuropathy.

Proximal neuropathy applies to the hips, buttocks and legs. Commonly there will be pain in these areas and weakness that may make it hard to move from a sitting position to standing without help. Proximal neuropathy is often a consequence of long term diabetes and other symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are likely to exist beforehand.

Focal neuropathy is a sudden bout of pain in a localized area. This is a consequence of a group of nerves malfunctioning. The pain can be anywhere in the body but is often in the head or torso regions. The pain will eventually recede over a few days to weeks.

The best way to treat diabetic neuropathy is to try to prevent it. This means maintaining blood sugar levels at a normal rate as often as possible. The more that the blood sugar level is normal the less chance for it to damage the nerves. This means eating healthy and sugar free foods. It also requires regular exercise. For relief from the pain, doctors will often determine the area affected by the neuropathy and then prescribe the appropriate analgesic.