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Difference Between Diabetic Neuropathy and Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy are two common types of nerve damage that can occur in people. Although they share similar symptoms, the causes of each condition are different. In this essay, we will examine the differences between diabetic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy and the causes, symptoms, and treatments of each.
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that occurs in people with diabetes. It is caused by high blood sugar levels, which damage the nerves over time. This type of nerve damage often affects the feet and legs, but it can also affect the hands, arms, and other parts of the body. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy can include numbness or tingling in the feet or hands, sharp pain or burning sensations, weakness in the muscles, and difficulty walking.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy, on the other hand, is a type of nerve damage that occurs outside of the brain and spinal cord. This type of nerve damage can be caused by a number of factors, including injury, exposure to toxins, infections, and certain diseases. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can include numbness or tingling in the feet or hands, burning or sharp pain, weakness in the muscles, and difficulty walking.
Differences: Diabetic Neuropathy and Peripheral Neuropathy
The causes of diabetic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy are different, but both conditions can lead to similar symptoms. In the case of diabetic neuropathy, high blood sugar levels cause damage to the nerves over time. This can lead to the symptoms mentioned above, such as numbness or tingling in the feet or hands, sharp pain or burning sensations, weakness in the muscles, and difficulty walking.
Peripheral neuropathy, on the other hand, can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, exposure to toxins, infections, and certain diseases. This type of nerve damage can lead to the same symptoms as diabetic neuropathy, such as numbness or tingling in the feet or hands, burning or sharp pain, weakness in the muscles, and difficulty walking.
The treatments for diabetic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy also differ, although both conditions can be treated with similar methods. In the case of diabetic neuropathy, the first step in treatment is to control blood sugar levels. This can be done through diet and exercise, as well as medication. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the underlying cause of diabetic neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy can be treated in a number of ways, including pain medications, physical therapy, and nerve stimulation. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the underlying cause of peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, lifestyle changes, such as avoiding exposure to toxins and maintaining a healthy diet, can help to prevent the progression of peripheral neuropathy.
The following table highlights the major differences between Diabetic Neuropathy and Peripheral Neuropathy −
Characteristics |
Diabetic Neuropathy |
Peripheral Neuropathy |
|---|---|---|
Definition |
Diabetic neuropathy is a dysfunction of nerve fibers in people with diabetes. Neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes, affecting about 50% of patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes. |
Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the functions of peripheral nerve fibers caused by metabolic, infectious, toxic, and traumatic factors. |
Risk Factors |
The development of symptoms of diabetic neuropathy depends on the continued high blood sugar level, as well as other risk factors, including increased lipids, smoking, increased blood pressure, exposure to potentially hazardous neurotoxic substances. |
The risk factors for peripheral neuropathy are diabetes, alcohol abuse, vitamin B deficiency, infections, autoimmune diseases, kidney and liver disease, neurotoxins. |
Affected Nerves |
In diabetic neuropathy, different nerves in different parts of the body can be damaged, but the lower extremities are most commonly affected. |
Peripheral neuropathy affects peripheral nerves, transmitting information between the brain and spinal cord and peripherally located organs and systems. |
Types |
Depending on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy can be sensory, autonomous or motor; asymmetric or symmetric; peripheral, autonomic, diabetic amyotrophy or mononeuropathy. |
Depending on the number of the affected nerves peripheral neuropathy can be mononeuropathy, multiple mononeuropathy or polyneuropathy; depending on the type of the affected nerves it can be sensory or autonomic. |
Symptoms |
Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy vary depending on the involved nerves and include numbness in the fingers and feet, changed sense of temperature, walking pain, severe pain at night, muscle weakness, infections, dermatitis, joint and bone pain in peripheral neuropathy; frequent urinary infections, constipation, diarrhea, high or reduced sweating, changes in blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, in autonomic neuropathy; weight loss, femoral muscle atrophy, pain in the thighs or buttocks in diabetic amyotrophy; double vision, pain behind one eyeball, chest or abdominal pain, foot pain, paralysis of one half of the face in mononeuropathy. |
Symptoms of periphery neuropathy depend on the affected nerves and include tingling or numbness in the palms and soles of the ascending spread, burning pain, extreme sensitivity to touch, loss of coordination, loss of reflexes in sensory neuropathy; problems with bowel movements or urination, sexual dysfunction, blood pressure abnormalities and cardiac arrhythmias, weight loss, reduced sweating, nausea and vomiting in autonomic neuropathy. |
Conclusion
Diabetic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy are two common types of nerve damage that can lead to similar symptoms. The causes of each condition are different, but both can be treated with similar methods. By understanding the differences between diabetic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy, individuals can work with their healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment and prevent the progression of nerve damage.
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