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Home > Knowledge & support > Type 1 complications > Nerve damage (neuropathy)
There are different types of nerve damage, also known as diabetic neuropathy, including:
If left untreated, nerve damage can cause problems in many different parts of the body.
Symptoms can be treated but damage can’t be reversed. By managing your type 1 diabetes the best you can, you can reduce the risk or stop further damage.
The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy will depend on the type of nerve damage you have.
Common symptoms include numbness, tingling or sharp pains in the feet, legs, arms or hands. You might experience pins and needles, a loss of sensation or burning. These symptoms might keep you awake at night.
You could experience a loss of bladder control, an irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps or a lack of sweat.
Gastroparesis is a type of autonomic neuropathy where the stomach can’t empty in the normal way. Damage to the nerves means food passes through the stomach slower than usual. This can cause unpredictable blood glucose levels or your body to not get the nutrients it needs.
Your GP will ask you questions about your symptoms, examine you and may arrange some tests.
It depends on what nerve damage you may have to what tests your GP will do. You may be referred to your local hospital to see a specialist.
Your nerves will be checked in your annual diabetes review.
If you experience any symptoms of nerve damage, don’t wait for your annual check. Speak to your GP or Diabetes Healthcare Team straight away.
Try and keep your blood glucose levels within your target range as best you can to help reduce your risk of nerve damage. It can be hard to manage your blood glucose levels and no one gets it right all of the time. Ask for support from your Diabetes Healthcare Team if you need it. Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol can also help to reduce your risk of nerve damage.
Take good care of your feet by checking them daily if you can. That way you’ll notice any cuts or wounds early, which you might not feel.
Nerve damage can’t be reversed so catching it early is important to help stop it getting worse.
There are lots of treatments to reduce the symptoms of nerve damage depending on the type of neuropathy you have. It can take a bit of time for treatments to help the symptoms.
If you experience any symptoms of nerve damage, speak to your GP or Diabetes Healthcare Team. They can help you to reduce the risk of damage getting worse and give you treatments to reduce your symptoms.
Find out how we’re funding research to make type 1 complications a thing of the past.
Find out how to manage your blood glucose levels, count carbs and deal with hypos and hypers.
Find out who can help when you have questions about type 1 diabetes complications.
Learn to spot the signs of retinopathy, how to reduce your risk, where to go for support and what the treatments are.
Good dental care and support is important if you have type 1 diabetes. Because of the extra glucose in your blood, you’re more at risk of gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss.
When blood glucose levels are high for a long time, it can damage the blood vessels and nerves. This can lead to a loss of blood supply to the legs and feet. It can also cause problems with your heart.
People with type 1 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing kidney problems, called nephropathy. Learn about the signs, how to reduce your risk and what the treatments are.
Living with type 1 diabetes can increase your risk of developing foot problems. Having type 1 reduces the blood supply to your feet and can cause a loss of feeling.
Genetic studies have shown that the same genetic changes that increase the risk of type 1 diabetes also increase the risk of other autoimmune conditions.
