Type 2 diabetes can be a dangerous health condition if left unmanaged. You may even be suffering from it without knowing. What’s the sign in the hands that may mean you have uncontrolled diabetes?
Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high blood sugar levels (type 2 diabetes) results in nerve damage.
The Mayo Clinic explained that mononeuropathy (also known as focal neuropathy) refers to damage to a specific nerve.
For example, numbness or tingling in the hands (or fingers, excluding the pinkie) is a sign of mononeuropathy – and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.
It’s possible to have more than one type of neuropathy – depending on which nerves are affected.
Peripheral neuropathy
The most common type of neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy (also known as distal symmetric peripheral neuropathy).
The symptoms of this complication of diabetes typically become worse at night, and tends to affect the feet and legs first.
Symptoms include numbness, or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes.
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Other symptoms include tingling or burning sensation, sharp pains or cramps, and foot problems.
Foot problems could be ulcers, infection, and bone or joint pain. Additionally, some people may experience sensitivity to touch, meaning the weight of a bedsheet can be painful.
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Autonomic neuropathy
The autonomic nervous system controls the heart, bladder, stomach, intestines, sex organs and eyes.
This can result in bladder or bowel issues, decreased sexual response and nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.
Proximal neuropathy
Also known as diabetic amyotrophy, proximal neuropathy affects nerves in the thighs, hips, buttocks or legs.
Sufferers may feel severe pain in one of those areas, and one may experience severe stomach pain too.
There may be an eventual shrinking of the thigh muscles, and people with this side effect can find it difficult to rise from a sitting position.
Nerve damage is only one side effect of uncontrolled diabetes, other serious complications include kidney disease and heart disease.
Should you suspect you may have type 2 diabetes, make an appointment with your GP to discuss symptoms.
The GP is likely to ask for a urine sample and will arrange a blood test to check your blood sugar levels.
If type 2 diabetes is confirmed, the GP will discuss what the condition is, lifestyle adjustments that need to be made and medication you can take.
From that point forward, regular check-ups will be made to ensure you’re controlling your diabetes.
Source: Daily Express
