Williamson Daily News Obits

Williamson Daily News Obits

Williamson Daily News Obits

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism which, when uncontrolled, leads to an elevation in blood glucose called hyperglycaemia. This condition initiates pathological changes at the cellular level within the nervous and vascular systems, which can put the lower limb and foot at risk.

The main pathologies affecting the lower limb in diabetes are macrovascular complications, including large vessel peripheral arterial disease, and microvascular complications, particularly peripheral neuropathies. This article will give an overview of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is characterised by a loss of normal sensation. The condition can occur as a result of damage to large and small nerve fibres. Changes to touch and pressure sensation and vibratory sensation indicate damage to large nerve fibres; decreased sensitivity to sharpness, inability to detect temperature changes and loss of reflexes signal involvement of small nerve fibres.