Risk Factors of Diabetic Nerve Damage

Diabetics are more susceptible to diabetic nerve damage. However, diabetic nerve damage can occur sooner if you have other risk factors such as:

• Poor blood sugar control
  Those who have trouble controlling their blood sugar levels are at highest risk of nerve pain and nerve damage. Keeping blood sugar consistently within your target range is the best way to protect the health of your nerves.
• Length of time you have diabetes
  Nerve pain and damage is more common in people who have had diabetes for more than 25 years.
• Overweight
  Being overweight is double trouble for people with diabetes. It puts you at higher risk of more serious health complications related to diabetes (eg. heart attack, stroke, nerve damage, eye damage, kidney damage)
• Smoking
  Smoking narrows and hardens arteries, thus reducing blood flows to the legs. This will damage the nerves.

Knowing your risk factors is a good start to prevent or delay the onset of diabetic nerve damage. You can start to make the recommended lifestyle changes such as eating right, quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. If you have the risk factors, you are advised to consult your healthcare provider.