How does diabetes cause neuropathy?

Neuropathy No More By JODI KNAPP Neuropathy No More is an eBook which is a compilation of all the essential information and details about the nervous system and how to keep it active and healthy. With the help of this program, one can get a relief from the symptoms of neuropathy. This eBook not only tells you about the nervous system, but also helps to provide essential information to get relief from the condition of neuropathy. It also provides information about how you can prevent this condition from coming back in the near future.

How does diabetes cause neuropathy?

Diabetes can cause neuropathy, particularly diabetic neuropathy, through several interconnected mechanisms, primarily due to prolonged periods of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that affects various parts of the body, especially the peripheral nerves. Here’s how diabetes leads to neuropathy:

1. High Blood Sugar Damages Nerves

Hyperglycemia: Prolonged high blood sugar levels are the primary cause of nerve damage in people with diabetes. When blood glucose levels remain elevated, they damage the small blood vessels (capillaries) that supply nerves, reducing their ability to function properly.
Glucose Toxicity: Excess glucose in the bloodstream can directly affect nerve cells, leading to glucose toxicity. This disrupts the normal function of nerves, causing pain, tingling, or numbness.

2. Impaired Blood Flow to Nerves

Blood Vessel Damage: High blood sugar damages the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. Over time, this reduces blood flow to the nerves, depriving them of essential nutrients and oxygen needed to function properly.
Ischemia (Reduced Blood Flow): As a result of blood vessel damage, nerves experience ischemia, a condition where they don’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients. Without proper nourishment, nerves become damaged or die, leading to neuropathy.

3. Oxidative Stress

Increased Free Radicals: High blood sugar increases the production of free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells, including nerve cells. This leads to oxidative stress, where the body’s antioxidant defenses are overwhelmed, resulting in nerve cell damage.
Nerve Cell Damage: The increased oxidative stress damages the myelin sheath (the protective covering around nerves) and the nerve fibers themselves, impairing their ability to transmit signals efficiently.

4. Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)

AGEs Formation: When blood sugar remains high, it can lead to the formation of harmful molecules known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs are formed when proteins or fats in the body become glycated (bonded with sugar molecules), which interferes with normal cell function.
Inflammation and Nerve Damage: AGEs cause inflammation in tissues and damage to proteins in the nerves and blood vessels. This inflammation contributes to the degeneration of nerve cells, resulting in neuropathy.

5. Nerve Inflammation (Neuroinflammation)

Chronic Inflammation: Persistent high blood sugar can trigger chronic, low-grade inflammation throughout the body, including in the nerves. This inflammation leads to swelling and damage to the nerves, further impairing their function.
Immune Response: The body’s immune system may also play a role in nerve damage by mistakenly attacking nerve tissues in response to prolonged hyperglycemia and inflammation, leading to further nerve damage.

6. Metabolic Changes

Sorbitol Pathway Activation: In cases of prolonged hyperglycemia, the body converts excess glucose into sorbitol via the polyol pathway. Sorbitol accumulation in nerve cells can lead to swelling and dysfunction, as it affects the cell’s ability to manage electrolytes and other essential functions.
Electrolyte Imbalance: The build-up of sorbitol inside nerve cells disrupts normal ion balance, particularly affecting sodium and potassium channels, which are critical for nerve signal transmission. This leads to impaired nerve function and contributes to the development of neuropathy.

7. Reduced Nerve Regeneration

Impaired Nerve Healing: High blood sugar affects the body’s ability to repair damaged nerves. It interferes with the production of nerve growth factors (proteins that support nerve regeneration), resulting in slow or incomplete nerve repair.
Axonal Degeneration: Over time, the nerve fibers (axons) that transmit signals become damaged, and without adequate regeneration, they begin to degenerate, leading to permanent nerve damage.

8. Peripheral Neuropathy

Most Common Type: Peripheral neuropathy is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy, affecting the nerves in the feet, legs, hands, and arms. It causes symptoms such as numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness, typically starting in the extremities and gradually progressing.
Loss of Sensation: Peripheral neuropathy can lead to a loss of sensation, which is dangerous because people with diabetes may not feel injuries, infections, or sores, particularly on their feet. This can lead to complications like foot ulcers, infections, and, in severe cases, amputation.

9. Autonomic Neuropathy

Damage to Autonomic Nerves: Diabetes can also damage the nerves that control involuntary functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and bladder control. This is known as autonomic neuropathy.
Symptoms of Autonomic Neuropathy: People with autonomic neuropathy may experience a range of symptoms, including dizziness when standing up (orthostatic hypotension), bladder dysfunction, digestive issues (like gastroparesis), and difficulty regulating body temperature.

10. Focal and Proximal Neuropathy

Focal Neuropathy: In this less common form of diabetic neuropathy, damage occurs in a specific nerve or group of nerves, often resulting in sudden weakness or pain in one area of the body, such as the face, torso, or legs.
Proximal Neuropathy: This type affects nerves in the thighs, hips, or buttocks and can lead to severe pain or weakness in the legs, making it difficult to stand or walk.

Conclusion:

Diabetes causes neuropathy through a combination of mechanisms including high blood sugar-induced damage to nerves and blood vessels, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and the accumulation of harmful molecules like AGEs and sorbitol. Over time, these processes damage the nerves, particularly in the peripheral regions, leading to diabetic neuropathy. Managing blood sugar levels, controlling inflammation, and addressing other risk factors (like high blood pressure and cholesterol) are key to preventing or slowing the progression of diabetic neuropathy.

Jodi Knapp