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, or alcohol use
What Exactly is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy is actually a family of diabetes caused nerve disorders, sometimes referred to in the plural as diabetic neuropathies. Many diabetics that have had the condition for a long time develop nerve damage throughout the body. This takes time, so it is more commonly seen in older patients. Sometimes there are no symptoms, but in most cases there are symptoms like a tingling sensation, numbness, loss of feeling in the extremities or pain. Nerves can be damaged in any or all of the organ systems, even the digestive system and sex organs.
Somewhere around 65% of all diabetics have neuropathy of some form, with the rate of those affected rising with age and duration of the condition. It has been observed that what causes neuropathy in diabetes patients almost without exception is the inability or unwillingness to control the blood sugar over a long period of time. And usually, people who have controlling their blood sugar are also overweight, have high blood pressure, and high levels of fat in the blood. This could lead one to hypothesize that much of what causes neuropathy in diabetes patients is related to lifestyle choices.
What are some of the Types of Diabetic Neuropathy?
- Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy. This type of neuropathy causes pain and/or loss of feeling in the extremities.
- Autonomic neuropathy might be the most life changing type of diabetic neuropathy. It changes the digestion process, bowel and bladder function, sexual response, and the way the body perspires. It also affects the nerves that serve the heart and control blood pressure, and the nerves in the lungs and eyes. If researchers could figure out what causes neuropathy in diabetes to do cause this much trouble, quality of life would be greatly improved for these patients.
- Proximal neuropathy causes pain in the thighs, or buttocks, hips and can lead to a general weakness in the legs.
- Focal neuropathy is much narrower in its damage. It results in the sudden weakness of just one nerve or one group of nerves, causing weakness and pain. Any nerve anywhere in the body can be affected.
Research continues into what causes neuropathy in diabetes, but until the answer is found, the patient can only try their best to control their blood sugar, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise as much as they can to prolong or prevent its occurrence.
