Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes.
The most common form of diabetic neuropathy is loss of sensation in the hands and feet. It is called peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy can also affect the nerves that regulate unconscious vital functions, such as heart rate and digestion. This type of problem is called autonomic neuropathy. Doctors have been studying this problem for many years, but they do not yet understand how diabetes damages the nervous system.