What causes diabetic neuropathy?
Diabetes causes the level of sugar in your blood to be higher than normal. Over time, high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels and nerves. That's why people who don't control (or can't control) their blood sugar very well seem more likely to get diabetic neuropathy.
Men are more likely to have diabetic neuropathy than women. High cholesterol levels and smoking also increase your risk.
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff