There are several types of diabetic neuropathy.

• Peripheral neuropathy  results from damage to the peripheral nervous system. It reduces your ability to sense pain, touch, temperature and vibration in certain parts of the body and may sometimes affect movement and muscle strength. It most often affects the feet and lower legs and may contribute to serious foot problems, such as ulcers, infection and bone and joint deformities. It is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy.
• Autonomic neuropathy  is caused by problems with the autonomic nervous system. These nerves control the involuntary functions of your body, such as heartbeat, blood pressure, sweating, digestion, urination and some aspects of sexual function. This is a common form of diabetic neuropathy.
• Focal neuropathy  affects a single nerve, most often in the wrist, thigh or foot. It may affect the nerves of the back, chest and those that control the eye muscles. It is often associated with conditions that compress or pinch the nerves such as carpal tunnel syndrome. However, carpal tunnel syndrome frequently occurs in people who have diabetes but do not have focal neuropathy. Focal neuropathy usually develops suddenly and is the most rare form of diabetic neuropathy.

Symptoms
Symptoms vary according to which nerves are injured. Diabetic neuropathy can interrupt the normal flow of nerve signals through the legs, arms and other parts of the body. This may limit your ability to feel pain, which is one way the body protects itself against injury. The sensation of pain tells your brain to pull your hand off a hot stove or to remove the rock from your shoe.

When the internal organs and body systems are affected by neuropathy, it can cause:

• Digestive system problems, such as frequent bloating, belching, constipation, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
• Temperature regulation problems, such as profuse sweating of the torso, face or neck at night or while eating certain foods, such as spicy foods and cheese. Alternatively, some people may have reduced sweating, especially in their feet and legs.
• Urinary system problems, such as difficulty sensing when the bladder is full or difficulty emptying the bladder completely.
• Sexual problems, such as erection problems in men and vaginal dryness in women.
• Heart and blood vessel problems, leading to poor circulation or low blood pressure. This may cause dizziness, weakness or fainting when you stand or sit up from a reclining position.
• Difficulty sensing when your blood sugar is low.