Causes and Risks People with diabetes may develop temporary or permanent damage to nerve tissue during their illnesses. Injury to the nerves is caused by decreased blood flow and high blood-sugar levels .
Neuropathies are more likely to develop if blood-glucose levels are poorly supervised.
Some diabetics will not develop neuropathy, while others may develop this condition relatively early. On average, the onset of symptoms occurs 10 to 20 years after diabetes has been diagnosed. Peripheral neuropathies may affect cranial nerves or nerves from the spinal column and their branches. This type of neuropathy tends to develop in stages. Early on, intermittent pain and tingling is noted in the extremities, particularly the feet.