Neurological Assessment

Sensory neuropathy occurs if the body's sensory nerves become damaged. People with diabetes have an increased risk of neuropathy as high blood glucose levels over long periods of time can damage the nerves.

Sensory neuropathy may also be called polyneuropathy as it affects a number of different nerve centres.

Symptoms of sensory neuropathy

Sensory neuropathy starts from the extremities of the body such as the feet or hands and can develop to affect the legs and arms.

The symptoms of sensory neuropathy will be present at the part of your body where the nerves are affected:

• Numbness
• Reduced ability to sense pain or extreme temperatures
• Tingling feeling
• Unexplained burning sensations
• Sharp stabbing pains – which may be noticeable at night

Dysesthesia

People with sensory neuropathy may experience dysesthesia, which translates as abnormal sensation.

The symptoms of dysesthesia include:

• A burning feeling under the skin
• Extremely sensitive skin to the extent where clothes and bedding can cause intense pain