Diabetic neuropathies (nerve damage) are a family of nerve disorders caused by diabetes. Social security will take into consideration limitations caused by the chronic pain and numbness that is often associated with diabetes nerve damage. People with diabetes can, over time, have damage to nerves throughout the body. Neuropathies lead to numbness and sometimes pain and weakness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Problems may also occur in every organ system, including the digestive tract, heart, and sex organs. People with diabetes can develop nerve problems at any time, but the longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk.
An estimated 50 percent of those with diabetes have some form of neuropathy, but not all with neuropathy have symptoms. The highest rates of neuropathy are among people who have had the disease for at least 25 years.
Diabetes nerve damage also appears to be more common in people who have had problems controlling their blood glucose levels, in those with high levels of blood fat and blood pressure, in overweight people, and in people over the age of 40. The most common type is peripheral neuropathy, also called distal symmetric neuropathy, which affects the arms and legs.
Types of Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathies can be classified as peripheral, autonomic, proximal, and focal. Each affects different parts of the body in different ways.
• Peripheral neuropathy causes either pain or loss of feeling in the toes, feet, legs, hands, and arms.
• Autonomic neuropathy causes changes in digestion, bowel and bladder function, sexual response, and perspiration. It can also affect the nerves that serve the heart and control blood pressure. Autonomic neuropathy can also cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) unawareness, a condition in which people no longer experience the warning signs of hypoglycemia.
• Proximal neuropathy causes pain in the thighs, hips, or buttocks and leads to weakness in the legs
• Focal neuropathy results in the sudden weakness of one nerve, or a group of nerves, causing muscle weakness or pain. Any nerve in the body may be affected.
Fields Law diabetes disability attorneys will assist you in getting the medical records and supporting documentation you need to provide the SSA with evidence of your diabetes nerve damage disability. If you are unable to work because of diabetic neuropathy we can help you apply for social security benefits. If you have been denied disability benefits we can appeal your case.
We offer a Free case review. Our Minnesota diabetes disability attorneys understand how difficult it is to have diabetes nerve damage and be denied disability benefits when you are unable to work. There are never any fees unless we win your disability case.
We are a Minnesota Disability Law Firm dedicated to helping people in Minnesota get the Social Security Disability benefits they deserve.
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