Peripheral neuropathy describes a condition during which nerves become damaged. The peripheral nervous system is the nervous system that communicates between the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and the rest of the body. When the nerves become damaged, they are unable to communicate properly with the central nervous system. As a result of the communication breakdown, sensation in the affected part of the body becomes altered.People with diabetes are at risk for developing peripheral neuropathy, since decreased blood flow and high blood sugar levels can damage nerve tissue. Diabetics who practice poor blood-glucose control are more likely to develop neuropathies. Some diabetics never develop neuropathies; others develop it early in the course of their disease. On average, symptoms appear between 10 and 20 years of disease onset.
