Diabetic Neuropathy is the damage to the peripheral nerves in Diabetes Mellitus.
Diabetic Neuropathy is manifested in two basic ways:
Sensitive motor polyneuropathy
It is characterised by burning, cutting and acrid pains in legs and distal parts of shanks, restless feeling in legs and tingling in toes. The pains occur usually at rest (at night) and get better with exercise. The pains significantly decrease the quality of life in diabetics and require treatment by analgetics and hypnotics (sensitive sensory neuropathy). Further manifestation of neuropathy is the loss of foot sensitivity. Diabetics do not feel pain at pressure nor pain connected with an initiating inflammatory process. They are at risk of phlegmon, gangrene and amputation (the Diabetic Leg Syndrome). Further symptoms of neuropathy are muscle weakness and reduced joint mobility in the legs or other body parts (motoric neuropathy).
Autonomic (vegetative) nerve damage
The first symptom of autonomic nerve damage is usually damage to the cardiovascular system. Gastrointestinal tract may be involved as well (delayed stomach emptying, constipation or diarrhea).