While every case is different, patients must be aware of the possible complications associated with the condition to ward off any serious or life-threatening effects.

Here are some of the more common side effects and/or complications experienced by Neuropathy patients:

Skin trauma (burns): if you suffer from numbness due to your Neuropathy, you may not feel temperature changes on your skin, which can put you at a higher risk of serious burns or other skin trauma (such as cuts, bruises, and more).

Infection: Diabetes patients are especially prone to infections on the feet. The reason is quite simple: Neuropathy can leave their limbs numb, making it impossible to feel any cuts, bruises, or even infections.

This makes it especially important for Neuropathy patients to check their feet regularly for signs of injury and infection.

Remember, even a small cut on your foot can become quite dangerous if you have diabetes since your body is unable to heal correctly – gangrene can set in.

Limb Loss: When numbness becomes severe, it can create a lack of feeling in the foot, ankle, and calf, allowing infections to ulcerate.

This allows skin tissue to break down and the infection to spread to the bone. When this happens, amputation may be necessary.

Charcot Joint: This is a syndrome that occurs when nerve damage actually causes a joint (often in the foot) to deteriorate. In the most severe cases, deformity occurs, which leads to immobility.

Incontinence: If the nerves in the urinary tract are damaged, you may find it difficult to feel the urge to urinate – or control the flow. This can lead to incontinence.

Urinary tract infections: If nerves in the bladder have been affected by Neuropathy, the bladder may fail to empty completely when urinating.

This can allow bacteria to grow, causing an infection in the bladder and kidneys.

Hypoglycemia Unawareness: Some people (especially diabetics) experience drops in their blood sugar levels causing symptoms of shakiness, sweating, And heart palpitations.

However, if you suffer from autonomic Neuropathy, you may be unable to recognize these symptoms, and that can become dangerous – even life-threatening.

Low Blood Pressure: Sometimes damage to the nerves that control circulation can make it hard for your body to regulate your blood pressure, causing severe drops in pressure. This can result in dizziness and fainting.

Digestive Issues: Any time the nerves in the intestinal tract are affected, Neuropathy patients may experience a whole host of symptoms including constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping, bloating, and
even problems regulating blood glucose levels.

Sexual Dysfunction: Men who suffer from autonomic Neuropathy often experience trouble with arousal. Women too can experience problems with lubrication.

An Increase or Decrease in Sweating: Autonomic Neuropathy affects the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.

This can lead to either an increase in sweating or a lack of sweating, which can become life-threatening if not dealt with.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your neuropathy? Check out my Neuropathy Revolution program 

The post What happens if neuropathy goes untreated? first appeared on Mark Fellers' Neuropathy And Nerve Pain Blog.