Why Do I Have Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)?

How Does DPN Damage the Nerves Over Time?

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy usually happens in your legs and feet. But chronically high blood glucose levels can also damage other nerves throughout your body.

These are called peripheral nerves, and they fall into three categories.

As DPN progresses, you may start to get symptoms in other parts of your body that control these functions. You may get other problems such as:

• Urinary problems
• Weakness in your arms and legs
• Dry mouth and dry eyes
• Sharp dips in blood pressure when you stand
• Constipation
• Erectile dysfunction
• Inability to control body temperature

How can DPN affect you?

You can't undo nerve damage caused by DPN, but if it's diagnosed and treated early, you can slow it down. Exactly how the condition impacts you depends on several things, such as:

• How early your DPN is diagnosed and treated
• Other health conditions, such as high blood pressure
• Your overall health
• Your age

After you know about your DPN, you can begin to manage your condition and your symptoms. Sticking to your treatment can help you take care of your symptoms and prevent complications.

What Things Can Cause My DPN to Flare Up?

Some days, your pain or other symptoms may be worse than others. Pay attention to the things that trigger a flare-up and write them down. This way, you can make a plan to prevent and reduce flare-ups.

Knowing what can make your symptoms worse can help you treat and prevent DPN flares.

Is Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Reversible?

DPN is progressive, which means that without treatment, it tends to get worse over time. But if you manage your blood glucose levels, you may be able to slow down this advancement.

You can also treat many of your DPN symptoms, such as numbness, and prevent complications.

What complications should I watch for?

Over time, DPN can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. That means you can hurt your foot and not know it.

Check your feet daily – especially the areas between your toes – and see your doctor right away if you notice any of the following:

• A fungal infection between your toes
• A change in the color of your feet
• Swelling in your feet
• An ingrown toenail
• A wound, sore, or blister that doesn't heal
• An ulcer so deep, you can see the bone underneath

Left untreated, many of these complications could lead to the loss of your toes or leg. But sticking to your treatment plan, regular foot checks, and seeing a foot specialist once a year can prevent problems.

How Is DPN Treated?

Treatment for your diabetic peripheral neuropathy will likely focus on four main areas. These include blood glucose control, managing your pain, foot care, and life choices to help your control and slow down your DPN.

Blood glucose control

The most important thing you can do to prevent further nerve damage is manage your blood glucose and get the levels under control.

After you and your doctor decide on the best glucose target range, ask about seeing a nutritionist or dietitian. They can help you plan meals and help keep your glucose under control.

Pain management

Your doctor may prescribe medications to help control pain and other symptoms of nerve damage. They'll also check your medication list for certain types of treatments.

Some medicines can make your DPN symptoms worse. Your doctor will discuss other treatment options with you, if needed. They'll also talk to you about the best pain treatments.

Even with these treatments, some people can still have DPN pain. You and your doctor may talk about other pain management options.

How Can I Maintain My Quality of Life With DPN?

The best thing you can do to maintain your quality of life is stick to your DPN treatment plan. Treating your diabetes and your DPN can help ease symptoms such as severe pain, loss of sensation, and potential foot ulcers. 

Work with your diabetes care team

Your treatment care team includes your doctor, nurses, and other health care professionals. They'll help you manage your blood sugar, eat a healthy diet, and take medications to stay ahead of any pain.

Tell your doctor and diabetes care team right away about any new symptoms you might have or side effects from medication. If pain medications aren't working, ask for different ones.

If you have an urgent issue, call your doctor – don't wait for your next appointment. The sooner you let your doctor know about changes to your health, the sooner they can treat you – and the better your outcome. This can help you continue to live a full life.  

Where to find support

Living with the chronic pain of DPN can take a toll on your physical and mental health. If you're dealing with feelings of anxiety or depression, ask your doctor or a member of your health care team about connecting with others.

They can help you find a mental health professional or DPN support group. You can also find DPN support groups in your state on the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy website.

What Questions Should I Ask My Health Care Team?

It can take time to process getting a diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. As you work through your feelings, you may have a lot of questions for your health care team. Here are a few things that you can ask your doctor at your next visit:

• What treatments would you recommend?
• What side effects might I expect from pain medications?
• What types of specialists should I see as part of my treatment?
• If I follow the treatment plan, will my symptoms improve or go away?
• How can I avoid other health complications?
• When should I get medical care right away?

A DPN diagnosis can take you by surprise – and that can come with many different feelings. You might wonder how your condition will affect your life over the long term. The sooner you're diagnosed and treated, the earlier you can find support and manage your symptoms to prevent further nerve damage.