Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes, and it's incredibly common — affecting between 60% to 70% of people with diabetes. The feet and legs are usually the first areas impacted.
The main driver is prolonged high blood sugar levels, which damage the tiny blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to Show Full Answer
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes, and it's incredibly common — affecting between 60% to 70% of people with diabetes. The feet and legs are usually the first areas impacted.
The main driver is prolonged high blood sugar levels, which damage the tiny blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to nerves. Over time, this causes the nerves themselves to stop working properly.
Other factors that can increase the risk include:
- High triglyceride and cholesterol levels
- Being overweight
- Poor blood sugar management over time When the nerves in the feet are damaged, a few things can happen that make foot care really important:
- Numbness or reduced sensation — making it hard to notice cuts, blisters, or injuries
- Tingling or burning sensations
- Poor circulation — slowing down wound healing
- Balance issues — increasing the risk of falls
As one DiabetesTeam member shared, "I have terrible neuropathy in my feet, usually at night in bed. Sometimes my feet hurt so much I can hardly walk. Other times, they feel numb like they're asleep."
Because injuries can go unnoticed and heal slowly, they can develop into serious infections or ulcers. In severe cases, this can lead to complications requiring amputation — which is why keeping blood sugar well-managed and checking feet daily is so important. Talking to a doctor at the first sign of any foot symptoms is always a smart move.
4 days ago
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