What is diabetic neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that can occur in people with diabetes, caused over time by high blood glucose and elevated blood fats (NIDDK).

How common is peripheral neuropathy in diabetes?

About one-third to one-half of people with diabetes have peripheral neuropathy, which affects the feet, legs, and sometimes the hands and arms (NIDDK).

Can diabetic neuropathy be slowed?

Keeping blood glucose in your target range is the main way to help prevent or slow nerve damage; discuss your targets with your clinician (NIDDK).

Diabetic Neuropathy, Sourced: What It Is, the Warning Signs, and How to Slow It

Last reviewed 2026-06-20 · Source: U.S. NIDDK (NIH) · This is the "why" behind daily foot care.

What it is

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that can occur in people with diabetes. Over time, high blood glucose and high levels of blood fats (triglycerides) can damage the nerves.

Source: NIDDK — Diabetic Neuropathy

The main types

Peripheral neuropathy — the most common; affects the feet and legs first, sometimes the hands and arms. About one-third to one-half of people with diabetes have it.
Autonomic neuropathy — damages nerves that control internal organs (heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, bladder, sexual function, sweat glands). It can also cause hypoglycemia unawareness — not feeling the usual warning signs of low blood sugar.
Focal neuropathies — damage to a single nerve, often in the hand, head, torso, or leg; carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common.
Proximal neuropathy — a rarer, disabling type in the hip, buttock, or thigh, usually on one side; symptoms often improve over months to years.

Source: NIDDK — Diabetic Neuropathy

Why it matters for your feet

Peripheral neuropathy can cause pain, tingling, or loss of feeling in the feet. When you can't feel your feet, you may not notice a blister, cut, or pebble — which is exactly why a daily foot check matters so much.

Source: NIDDK — Diabetic Neuropathy

What raises the risk — and what helps

The main drivers are high blood glucose and high blood fats over time. Keeping your blood glucose in the range your clinician sets is the central way to help prevent or slow nerve damage.

Talk to your care team about your blood glucose and blood pressure targets, and tell them about new numbness, pain, or changes in how your feet feel — those are reasons to be checked, not a diagnosis.

Source: NIDDK — Diabetic Neuropathy

Our promise: every fact carries its source. We educate and organize; we do not diagnose. Reviewed against NIDDK (NIH).