Diabetic Neuropathy and Peripheral Neuropathy affect a similar group of population. They are associated and interrelated.
Diabetic Neuropathy vs Peripheral Neuropathy
The difference between <Diabetic Neuropathy> and <Peripheral Neuropathy> is that Diabetic Neuropathy affects nerves from different parts of the body, mainly the lower extremities whereas Peripheral Neuropathy affects the peripheral nerves of the body and weakens the immune system. Also, Diabetic Neuropathy takes years to affect the body but Peripheral Neuropathy affects over a short duration.
It affects the nerves from any part of the body and starts developing over several years. It affects the nerves from any part of the body
Peripheral Neuropathy might occur to the body due to continuous neglect of high blood sugar levels for even just a short duration of time. It affects our peripheral nervous system.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Diabetic Neuropathy | Peripheral Neuropathy |
---|---|---|
Definition | It is a dysfunction of nerve fibers. It is seen to affect people with diabetes. | It is a dysfunction of peripheral nerves. This condition is caused due to metabolic, traumatic, or toxic factors. |
Risk Factors | Risk factor includes high blood sugar, smoking, high blood pressure, exposure to neurotoxic substances. | Risk factor includes diabetes, alcohol assumption, kidney disease, liver disease, vitamin B deficiency |
Affected nerves | It affects different nerves throughout the body. The most commonly affected are the lower extremities. | It affects the peripheral nerves. |
Symptoms | Numbness in fingers, muscle weakness, severe bone pain, infections, dermatitis, constipation. | Numbness in palms, weight loss, sexual dysfunction, burning pain, extreme sensitivity to touch. |
Type | It can be sensory, autonomous, or motor, depending on the number of nerves affected. | It can be mononeuropathy or polyneuropathy, depending on the number of nerves affected. |
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
It is defined as a dysfunction of nerve fibers that are seen in people suffering from diabetes. In Diabetic Neuropathy, multiple nerves can be damaged from various parts of the body.
Other factors include smoking, high blood pressure level, and exposure to harmful neurotoxic substances which includes medicines and alcohol.
In type 1 diabetes, it takes many years of continuous high blood sugar to get affected. Whereas, in type 2, just a few continuous years of high blood sugar level is enough to cause the dysfunction.
This disease is not curable but can be in control under medication. Staying away from the risk factors like addiction to neurotoxic substances is very important.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral Neuropathy is defined as a dysfunction of the peripheral nerve fibers in the human body. Peripheral nerves are very essential structure in our body that transmits information between the brain and the spinal cord.
When this part is affected, our body tends to lose the sense of touch as well as control. It immensely affects the immune system.
Well, just like the former one, it might not be completely curable but the safety measures are in our hands. Once diagnosed, we need to stay away from the common risk factors and treat them as an enemy.
Main Differences Between Diabetic Neuropathy and Peripheral Neuropathy
- Next is their symptom. Diabetic Neuropathy possesses symptoms such as decreased sensation in fingers, muscle weakness, body temperature change, infection, dermatitis.
- Last and very important, the risk factors. We need to be very safe from this condition to avoid reaching the critical stage. The former include high blood sugar levels, smoking, and harmful neurotoxin or neurotoxic substances.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1056872713003322
- https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/endocrj/51/6/51_6_563/_article/-char/ja/
My name is Piyush Yadav, and I am a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. You can read more about me on my bio page.