What is it?
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the medical term to describe damage to the nerves in the hand and feet that can occur in patients with diabetes.
What are the symptoms?
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy may cause numbness, pain, tingling and muscle weakness. Typically the symptoms begin in the feet and spread symmetrically up the legs. Symptoms can also occur in the hands.
What to expect?
If you are diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, you can consider discussing the following subjects with your doctor after the initial treatment:
- Do you need a stricter control of your diabetes?
- Do you need a stricter control of other medical conditions you may have, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol?
- A healthy diet and an active lifestyle can help in preventing further complications. Which changes can you make in your lifestyle? If overweight or obese, how regular exercise should be and what type of exercise is needed?
- Quitting smoking is important in preventing diabetes and its complications. Are you open to stop smoking? Is your doctor able to support you with this?