The most common type of diabetic neuropathy is diabetic peripheral neuropathy: pain in your hands or feet.

Do these statements apply to you?

• You sometimes feel like you have socks or gloves on when you don’t
• Your feet hurt at night
• You feel burning or shooting pains in your feet
• Your feet are numb and you can’t feel your feet when walking

People who experience tingling sensations, “pins and needles”, or numbness in the feet may not think too much of these symptoms. However if they persist, it may signal a condition known as neuropathy that can lead to bigger problems.

Neuropathy refers to a medical condition where nerves become damaged. It is caused by a variety of reasons including diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, genetic predisposition, infection, cancer, nutritional deficiencies, exposure to toxins, diseases that cause chronic inflammation involving the nerves, and other unclear factors.

Among all, diabetes is the most prevalent cause of nerve damage. This condition is medically known as diabetic neuropathy. It occurs when a nerve or group of nerves is damaged as a result of high blood glucose level.

Pain caused by nerve damage from diabetes is called diabetic nerve pain.

Diabetic Nerve Pain Is a Growing Problem.

It is estimated that more than 25 million Americans are affected by diabetes Diabetic nerve pain is a common diabetes complication, as are kidney and eye (retinopathy) conditions. Approximately 21% of patients with diabetes have diabetic nerve pain. This adds up to 5 million Americans with diabetic nerve pain.