What is Focal Neuropathy?

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What is Focal Neuropathy?
American Diabetes Association

Focal neuropathy appears suddenly and affects specific nerves, most often in the head, torso, or leg. Focal neuropathy may cause

* inability to focus the eye
* double vision
* aching behind one eye
* paralysis on one side of the face, called BellÌs palsy
* severe pain in the lower back or pelvis
* pain in the front of a thigh
* pain in the chest, stomach, or side
* pain on the outside of the shin or inside of the foot
* chest or abdominal pain that is sometimes mistaken for heart disease, a heart attack, or appendicitis

Focal neuropathy is painful and unpredictable and occurs most often in older adults with diabetes. However, it tends to improve by itself over weeks or months and does not cause long-term damage.

People with diabetes also tend to develop nerve compressions, also called entrapment syndromes. One of the most common is carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes numbness and tingling of the hand and sometimes muscle weakness or pain. Other nerves susceptible to entrapment may cause pain on the outside of the shin or the inside of the foot.