Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that affects people with diabetes. There are four main types of diabetic neuropathy. The symptoms you experience depend on the type of neuropathy you have, though it’s possible to have multiple types at once.
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type. Symptoms usually affect your feet and legs, but can also involve your arms and hands. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:
- Numbness and tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Sharp pain
As many as half of the people who have diabetes develop peripheral neuropathy.
Autonomic neuropathy
This is the second-most common type. Autonomic neuropathy involves nerves that regulate internal organs, such as your heart, bladder, and stomach. This can lead to problems with your heart rate, blood pressure, and digestive system.
Focal neuropathy
Also called mononeuropathy, this type affects one specific nerve or group of nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common type of focal neuropathy.
Proximal neuropathy
This is a particularly rare and disabling type of neuropathy. Proximal neuropathy may cause sudden and severe pain, most often in your buttock, hip, or thigh on one side of your body.
