Over time, high blood sugar can harm the nerves in your body. Nerve damage from diabetes can cause you to lose feeling in your feet or have painful, burning feet. It can cause pain in your legs, arms, or hands.
Nerve damage can also cause problems with eating, going to the bathroom, or having sex.
Damage to nerves can happen slowly. You may not even realize you have nerve problems because you can't always feel them. Your doctor should check your nerves once a year. Part of this exam should include tests to check your sense of feeling and the pulses in your feet. Tell the doctor about any problems with your feet, legs, hands, or arms.