Risk factors

Anyone who has diabetes can develop neuropathy. But these risk factors make you more likely to get nerve damage:

• Poor blood sugar control. Uncontrolled blood sugar puts you at risk of every diabetes complication, including nerve damage.
• Diabetes history. Your risk of diabetic neuropathy increases the longer you have diabetes, especially if your blood sugar isn't well controlled.
• Kidney disease. Diabetes can damage the kidneys. Kidney damage sends toxins into the blood, which can lead to nerve damage.
• Being overweight. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more may increase your risk of diabetic neuropathy.
• Smoking. Smoking narrows and hardens your arteries, reducing blood flow to your legs and feet. This makes it more difficult for wounds to heal and damages the peripheral nerves.