Diabetic neuropathy is an injury to the nervous system caused by underlying diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes mellitus, often called diabetes, is a condition that affects the body's ability to regulate the level of glucose in the blood. Glucose is the main form of sugar in the body. It is suspected that high blood glucose levels are neurotoxic. This is another way of saying that they have a poisonous effect on the nerves. If blood glucose levels are elevated significantly for a period of time, the nerves can be permanently damaged.
Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of high blood glucose in people who have diabetes.