An Explanation of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes carries with it many symptoms and problems that are common to the millions of people who suffer with this disease. But there are also plenty of less common conditions that diabetes can cause. One of these conditions is called diabetic neuropathy.

Don't worry if you don't know what it is, many people don't. Diabetic neuropathy is when there is a disorder in the peripheral nerves. The result is a lower functioning of those nerves. This causes numbness and pain to anyone with this condition.

Diabetic neuropathy is serious and should definitely be taken that way. Think about the many serious issues that can develop as a result of numbness in the feet. Suppose you have a foot injury. That numbness could prevent you from even knowing the injury exists until it turns into something more severe. And if you have a minor cut, again the numbness may cause you not to notice it until the point where it becomes seriously infected.

If any of this sounds like you, you need to consult with your doctor as soon as you can. It can be tempting to ignore the problem, especially if the pain is not too severe. Do not do this. Not only will you not help the condition, you may make it worse.

But don't stop with just talking to your doctor. Many organizations have free literature talking about diabetic neuropathy and detailing the problem. Check with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and also with the American Diabetes Association. The more knowledge you have the better you will be able to deal with the issue.

Diabetic neuropathy is a serious condition that makes the problem of diabetes even worse. The more you understand about the condition, the better you will be able to treat it.