Peripheral Neuropathy and Diabetes

De: Mark A. Ashford

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

H

ello and welcome to my book Peripheral Neuropathy and Diabetes. I hope you enjoy it and find it useful.

• Neuropathy – Noun- damage, disease, or dysfunction of one or more nerves especially of the peripheral nervous system that is typically marked by burning or shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness or atrophy, is often degenerative, and is usually caused by injury, infection, disease, drugs, toxins, or vitamin deficiency[1]

• The condition known as diabetic neuropathy is a gradual deterioration of peripheral nerves that generally affects older patients and initially causes a painful burning sensation in the hands and feet. —Sandra Blakeslee [2]

Nerves at any location in the body can be damaged by injury, disease or exposure to toxic chemicals. Neuropathy is often classified according to the types or locations of nerves that are affected. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is the most common type of Peripheral Neuropathy. Today, it is estimated that 60-70% of diabetics have Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Badly or inadequately managed Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is the number one cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations in the United States.

• Nearly 130,000 (US) diabetics have amputations each year
• 85% of amputations are preceded by ulcers which if treated can reduce or prevent amputation
• 75% of non-traumatic lower-extremity amputation cases in the US are caused by diabetes
• Diabetes cost the US $327 billion in 2017, 72.5% (237 billion) of which went to direct medical costs[3]

This book describes Diabetic and non-Diabetic Neuropathy and options available to mitigate or reverse the effects. We discuss the latest information about statins. Statins, so beneficial for lowering cholesterol levels and controlling cardiovascular disease may have a role to play in damaging nerves and causing Peripheral Neuropathic pain in both diabetics and non-diabetics.

Mark Ashford

[1] Meriam-Webster, "Neuropathy," (2025).

[2] Meriam-Webster, "Neuropathy."

[3] CFAH.org, "Diabetes Statistics: Facts & Latest Data in the Us (2024 Update)," (2024).