Understanding the Link Between Diabetes and Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can be caused by diabetes. High blood sugar injures nerves throughout your body and interferes with their ability to send signals, and can also weaken the walls of small blood vessels, interrupting the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. Approximately 50% of patients with diabetes will develop some form of neuropathy that worsens with age and duration of diabetes. However, with proper blood glucose management, nerve damage can be prevented or delayed.