Condition
Diabetic Neuropathy
Sufferers of peripheral neuropathy can experience symptoms such as numbness, tingling or burning sensations, sharp pain, and loss of coordination.
Patient guide
Diabetic Neuropathy
What it is
Understanding diabetic neuropathy.
Uncontrolled high blood sugar, a common symptom of sufferers of diabetes, can lead to nerve damage. High blood sugar can weaken the walls of the capillaries, which supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. This, in turn, will interfere with the nerves' ability to properly send signals. This nerve damage most commonly results in peripheral neuropathy. Sufferers of peripheral neuropathy can experience symptoms such as numbness, tingling or burning sensations, sharp pain, and loss of coordination.
Prevention
What helps lower the risk.
- Maintain a healthy and active lifestyle
- Neuropathy is more likely to develop in overweight individuals
- Avoid excessive drinking and smoking
- Manage high blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Take good care of your feet
- See your doctor if you…
- Have cuts or sores on your feet that won't heal
- Experience excessive burning, tingling, or weakness in the hands or feet
- Experience changes in digestion, urination, or sexual function
Treatment
What treatment looks like.
Medication is available to treat some of the more common symptoms of neuropathy (tingling, numbness, and burning sensations). Antidepressants and anti-seizure medication are commonly prescribed to aid with pain relief. Managing blood glucose levels and protecting your feet can also help alleviate the symptoms of neuropathy.
Further reading
FAQ
Common questions about diabetic neuropathy
What causes diabetic neuropathy?
Uncontrolled high blood sugar weakens the walls of the capillaries that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves, which interferes with the nerves' ability to send signals properly. This nerve damage most commonly shows up as peripheral neuropathy in the feet and legs.
How does benfotiamine help with diabetic neuropathy?
Benfotiamine is a fat-soluble form of vitamin B1 that reaches tissue concentrations water-soluble thiamine cannot. It switches on transketolase, which re-routes glucose-derived metabolites away from the pathways implicated in hyperglycemic nerve damage. Clinical trials show meaningful improvement in symptom scores within weeks.
Who is most at risk?
Risk is highest in people with longstanding or poorly controlled diabetes, those who are overweight, and those who drink heavily or smoke. Elevated blood pressure and cholesterol also raise the risk. Tight glycemic control and a healthy lifestyle are the most effective preventive steps.
When should I see a doctor?
See a clinician promptly if you have cuts or sores on your feet that will not heal, excessive burning, tingling, or weakness in the hands or feet, or changes in digestion, urination, or sexual function. Early evaluation can slow progression and prevent ulcerations.
What treatments are available beyond medication?
Doctors commonly prescribe antidepressants or anti-seizure medication for symptom relief, but managing blood glucose, protecting the feet, and adding nutritional therapy such as high-dose benfotiamine can directly address the underlying nerve injury rather than only masking symptoms.
Stay in the loop
New research, plainly explained.
One short email when a study lands that meaningfully changes the picture. No spam, no products.
You can unsubscribe at any time.