What causes diabetic neuropathies?
What causes diabetic neuropathies?
February 2008
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
NIH Publication No. 08–3185
The causes are probably different for different types of diabetic neuropathy. Researchers are studying how prolonged exposure to high blood glucose causes nerve damage. Nerve damage is likely due to a combination of factors:
* metabolic factors, such as high blood glucose, long duration of diabetes, abnormal blood fat levels, and possibly low levels of insulin
* neurovascular factors, leading to damage to the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to nerves
* autoimmune factors that cause inflammation in nerves
* mechanical injury to nerves, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
* inherited traits that increase susceptibility to nerve disease
* lifestyle factors, such as smoking or alcohol use
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