Researchers are unsure, as is the case with so many complications of diabetes. But some of what causes neuropathy in diabetes depends on the type of diabetic neuropathy in question. Studying the effect of long-term exposure to high blood glucose levels on the nerves have revealed some likely reasons for the nerve damage that is the cause of the diabetic neuropathies. In most cases, what causes neuropathy in diabetes is probably a combination of factors like:
- metabolic factors, including high blood glucose, the duration of the diabetes, abnormal blood fat levels, and maybe low levels of insulin
- neurovascular factors leads to damage to the smaller blood vessels. These vessels carry oxygen and nutrients to nerves
- autoimmune factors that cause the nerves to become inflamed
- mechanical injury to nerves, including things like carpal tunnel syndrome
- inherited or genetic traits that increase susceptibility to nerve disease
- lifestyle factors, such as smoking, inactivity,
