Diabetic Nerve Problems—Diabetes Type 2

Also called: Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes means your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. With type 2 diabetes, the more common type, your body does not make or use insulin well. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into your cells to give them energy. Without insulin, too much glucose stays in your blood. Over time, high blood glucose can lead to serious problems with your heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and gums and teeth.

You have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes if you are older, obese, have a family history of diabetes, or do not exercise. Having prediabetes also increases your risk. Prediabetes means that your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, you may be able to delay or prevent developing it by making some lifestyle changes.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes appear slowly. Some people do not notice symptoms at all. The symptoms can include

• Being very thirsty
• Urinating often
• Feeling very hungry or tired
• Losing weight without trying
• Having sores that heal slowly
• Having blurry eyesight

Blood tests can show if you have diabetes. One type of test, the A1C, can also check on how you are managing your diabetes. Many people can manage their diabetes through healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing. Some people also need to take diabetes medicines.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• A1C test (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Choose More than 50 Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes – NIH – Easy-to-Read (National Diabetes Education Program)
• Diabetes type 2 – meal planning (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Giving an insulin injection (Medical Encyclopedia)
• High blood sugar (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Type 2 diabetes (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Type 2 diabetes – self-care (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: Diabetic neuropathy

If you have diabetes, your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Over time, this can damage the covering on your nerves or the blood vessels that bring oxygen to your nerves. Damaged nerves may stop sending messages, or may send messages slowly or at the wrong times.

This damage is called diabetic neuropathy. Over half of people with diabetes get it. Symptoms may include

• Numbness in your hands, legs, or feet
• Shooting pains, burning, or tingling
• Nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea
• Problems with sexual function
• Urinary problems
• Dizziness when you change positions quickly

Your doctor will diagnose diabetic neuropathy with a physical exam and nerve tests. Controlling your blood sugar can help prevent nerve problems, or keep them from getting worse. Treatment may include pain relief and other medicines.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Cranial mononeuropathy III – diabetic type (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Diabetes and nerve damage (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Nerve damage from diabetes – self-care (Medical Encyclopedia)