Diabetic neuropathy patients comprise about 60% of all neuropathy patients.
People with diabetes have a damage in specific nerve fibers in all nerves, mostly those that travel to the legs and feet.
However, about 40% of neuroapthy patients don’t suffer from diabetic neuropathy. They sometimes have what is called idiopathic neuropathy which is a neuropathy of unknown cause.
Neuropathy is damage of nerves that can results in numbness, tingling, muscle weakness and pain in the affected area. Nerve cells or neurons, are damaged or destroyed. This interferes with the way the neurons communicate with each other and with the brain.
Peripheral neuropathy, indicates a problem within the peripheral nervous system which is the network of nerves outside your brain and spinal cord.
Now, there can be many causes of peripheral neuropathy but in about 60% to 70% of cases, diabetes was the underlying cause.
Neuropathy sufferers tend to experience burning, tingling, and numbness in their legs throughout the day which can get worse over time.
In most cases, no single cause can be identified. It’s a condition of an unknown cause or no direct cause but the most affected nerves in the majority of cases are the ones that provide sensation to the legs and feet.
Some cases have more clear cause such as diabetes, alcohol abuse, medications, or other conditions.