Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy may include:

• Numbness in the extremities
• Tingling in the extremities
• Pain in the extremities
• Wasting of the muscles of the feet or hands
• Indigestion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Dizziness or faintness
• Urination problems
• Impotence or vaginal dryness
• Weakness in arms and or legs
• Foot drop
• Weakness of facial muscles resulting in:
  • Drooping eyelid
  • Drooping mouth
  • Facial Droop
  • Difficulty swallowing.
• Muscle cramps
• A prolonged feeling of fullness after eating and/or abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Heat intolerance due to a decreased ability to sweat normally

If you have diabetic neuropathy, you are at increased risk for developing other types of neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome .

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Other tests may include:

• Foot exam—to assess sensation in the foot
• Nerve conduction studies —to test nerve activity
• Electromyography —to determine how muscles respond to nerve signals
• Quantitative sensory testing—the use of stimuli (eg, vibration) to check for neuropathy
• Quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART)—a test to evaluate the nerve supply of sweat glands
• Heart rate tests—to determine how the heart responds to changes
• Ultrasound—a test that uses sound waves to view internal organs
• Biopsy —to remove a sample of nerve or skin tissue for examination