Diabetic neuropathies (say: die-uh-BET-ik noo-ROP-e-thees) are a
group of disorders that can cause pain, along with numbness,
weakness, or odd sensations. Up to 70% (7 out of 10) of people
who have diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2) have some form of
neuropathy. This can involve the hands, feet, arms, and legs. It
can sometimes also affect the digestive tract, heart, or sex
organs. Signs and symptoms Some patients who have diabetic
neuropathy have no symptoms at all. Others may have: - numbness
and tingling in the hands and feet - pain in the hands and feet,
especially burning, electric shock-like pain - extreme
sensitivity of the skin, similar to a bad sunburn - weakness in
the muscles of the hands or feet - erectile dysfunction
(problems having or keeping an erection) in men, or vaginal
dryness in women - difficulty urinating (peeing) - constipation
or diarrhea - feeling dizzy or lightheaded when standing quickly
Because there are so many possible symptoms of diabetic
neuropathy in different people, research