Did you answer this question correctly?

True or False?  Researchers have linked diabetic nerve damage to high blood pressure and high levels of fat in blood.

The correct answer is: True. Researchers think that over time, this combination damages the nerves. They also suspect that the nerves may be damaged by an autoimmune response triggered by diabetes. They also suspect that smoking or alcohol abuse contributes to the problem.

For more information on diabetic nerve damage, here are a few resources to check out.

Diabetes Nerve Damage

Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder caused by diabetes. Symptoms of neuropathy include numbness and sometimes pain in the hands, feet, or legs. Nerve damage caused by diabetes can also lead to problems with internal organs such as the digestive tract, heart, and sexual organs, causing indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, bladder infections, and impotence.

Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

Nerve damage from diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy (new-ROP-uh-thee). About half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage.

Diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. High blood sugar can injure nerve fibers throughout your body, but diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in your legs and feet.

Tips for Treating Diabetic Nerve Pain

Diabetes can cause long-term problems throughout your body, especially if you don’t control your blood sugar effectively, and sugar levels remain high for many years. High blood sugar can cause diabetic neuropathy, which damages the nerves that send signals from your hands and feet.