People with diabetes may, develop nerve damage throughout the body over time called diabetic neuropathies, a set of nerve disorders caused by persistent high blood-glucose.
Diabetic Neuropathy
60 - 70 % of people with diabetes have some forms of neuropathy. Highest rates of neuropathy are among a person who has had diabetes for at least 25 years.
Diabetic neuropathies are more common in people, who has problems controlling their blood-glucose, as well as for those who have high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Causes of Neuropathy
The causes are various for different types of diabetic neuropathy. Nerve damage is likely due to a combination of factors:
- Metabolic factors such as diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure.
- Neurovascular factors - leading to damage to the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to nerves
- Autoimmune factors due to prolong diabetes that causes inflammation in nerves
- Mechanical injury to nerves, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Inherited traits that increase susceptibility to nerve disease
- Lifestyle factors, such as smoking or alcohol use