How Diabetes Can Lead to Peripheral Neuropathy

For the millions of Americans living with diabetes, managing blood sugar is a daily priority. But one of the most common, and often debilitating, complications of persistently high blood sugar can sneak up quietly: diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This condition is a form of nerve damage and affects as many as half of all people with diabetes.

So, how does high blood sugar lead to nerve pain? In this article, our pain management experts will explore the connection between diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, its causes and symptoms, and the advanced treatment options available to help you reclaim your life from pain.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy occurs when consistently high levels of blood sugar cause damage to capillaries and nerves, resulting in chronic pain.
• Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy usually begin in the farthest extremities, like the toes and feet, and can include numbness, tingling, stabbing pain, loss of sensation and balance, and extreme sensitivity to touch.
• Though historically treated with pain medications, diabetic neuropathy can now be treated with drug0free therapies including spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation.

Table of Contents

• What is peripheral neuropathy?
• How does diabetes cause nerve damage?
• Recognizing the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy
• Treating diabetic neuropathy

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Your body has a vast communication network called the nervous system. The central nervous system is the command center—your brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is the network of nerves that branch out from the command center to the rest of your body, including your arms, legs, hands, and feet.

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when these outlying nerves become damaged, disrupting their ability to send proper signals. This can result in pain, numbness, and weakness, most commonly in the hands and feet. This condition is diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

How does diabetes cause nerve damage?

The primary culprit behind diabetic neuropathy is prolonged high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Here’s how it happens:

1. Damage to blood vessels: High levels of glucose in the blood can damage the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries), inhibiting their ability to supply your nerves with oxygen and vital nutrients. Without proper nourishment, the nerves cannot function correctly and eventually start to break down.¹
2. Impaired nerve signals: Excess blood sugar can also directly interfere with the chemical processes that allow nerves to transmit signals. This metabolic stress further contributes to the breakdown of nerve fibers.²

Over time, this combination of nutrient deprivation and chemical interference leads to the symptoms of neuropathy. Factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking can accelerate this damage.

Recognizing the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy often develop gradually and can vary from person to person. Because the longest nerves are usually affected first, symptoms typically begin in the toes and feet and can slowly progress up the legs.

Be aware of the following signs:

• Numbness or a reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes
• Tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation
• Sharp, jabbing pains or cramps
• Burning sensations
• Extreme sensitivity to touch, where even the weight of a bedsheet can be painful
• Loss of balance and coordination

The loss of sensation is particularly dangerous. A person might not feel a cut, blister, or sore on their foot. Left untreated, these minor injuries can develop into serious infections, posing a significant health risk.

Treating diabetic neuropathy

While there is no cure for diabetic neuropathy, managing its painful symptoms is entirely possible. The first and most important step is working with your primary doctor or endocrinologist to get your blood sugar under control. This can help prevent further nerve damage.

For managing the pain itself, the specialists at Twin Cities Pain Clinic offer a range of advanced, minimally invasive treatments designed to disrupt pain signals and provide lasting relief. These include:

• Spinal cord stimulation (SCS): A state-of-the-art implantable device that works like a pacemaker for pain. It delivers tiny electrical pulses to the spinal cord, masking the pain signals before they can reach the brain. SCS has proven to be a life-changing therapy for many patients with severe diabetic neuropathy.
• Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS): Similar to SCS, but this therapy targets a specific peripheral nerve that is causing pain, providing focused and effective relief.

 These stimulation therapies provide significant, long-term relief from diabetic neuropathy pain without the use of opioid pain medication.

Don’t let diabetic nerve pain control your life

Living with diabetes presents enough challenges without the added burden of chronic nerve pain. If you are experiencing tingling, numbness, or burning pain in your hands or feet, it’s time to seek expert care.

Contact Twin Cities Pain Clinic today to schedule a consultation. Our team of dedicated providers will work with you to diagnose your condition and create a personalized treatment plan to manage your pain and improve your quality of life.

The contents of this article are intended for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before engaging in any action or decision-making based on the content of this article. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of the content of this article or any other content on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website. Reliance on any information conveyed on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website without direct consultation with a healthcare professional is solely at your own risk.

References

1. Rask-Madsen C, King GL. Vascular complications of diabetes: mechanisms of injury and protective factors. Cell Metab. 2013 Jan 8;17(1):20-33. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2012.11.012. PMID: 23312281; PMCID: PMC3546345.
2. Yagihashi S, Mizukami H, Sugimoto K. Mechanism of diabetic neuropathy: Where are we now and where to go? J Diabetes Investig. 2011 Jan 24;2(1):18-32. doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2010.00070.x. PMID: 24843457; PMCID: PMC4008011.