Nerve health
Note: This page was written using AI as a supportive tool, all clinical content has been fact checked by a clinical professional.
Our bodies contain many nerves. These nerves help us breathe, move, see, hear and feel. Diabetes can damage these nerves, which means the body may not work as it should. When diabetes affects the nerves, this is called diabetic neuropathy. It is a common complication of diabetes.
What increases the risk of neuropathy?
Having high blood glucose and high blood pressure (hypertension) can increase the risk of nerve damage.
Keeping your blood pressure and blood glucose at healthy levels can help reduce the risk of neuropathy.
Common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy
People may notice:
- tingling or “pins and needles” in the feet or hands
- burning pain (often worse at night)
- numbness or reduced ability to feel temperature changes
- sharp pains or cramps
- being more sensitive to touch
- muscle weakness
- problems with balance or coordination
- nausea, vomiting or constipation
When to seek help
Contact your healthcare team if you have concerns about your diabetes. This can include new symptoms such as:
- Loss of feeling in your feet, especially if you cannot feel injuries
- Burning, tingling, weakness or pain that affects sleep or daily life
- Sudden or quickly worsening numbness
- Symptoms that affect only one side of the body
- Symptoms getting worse more quickly than expected
- Trouble controlling symptoms, even with treatment
- Feeling dizzy when standing up
- Bladder, bowel or digestive changes
