April 22, 2005
Aches and Pains, Other
Question from Boynton Beach, Florida, USA:
Can type 2 diabetes casue a pinched nerve?
Answer:
Diabetes can affect nerves in several ways. The usual way that it causes dysfunction is by inhibiting the power plant of the nerve cells. However, nerve compression can occur with diabetes as these patients tend to have increased amounts of fat and soft tissue that can compress nerves. Sometimes, the only way to study these patients and mark the difference is to do a test called an EMG, which stands for electromyogram. This test involves sticking needles into muscles and looking at the stimulation pattern of the nerves and the measurement of the conduction velocities along the nerves. Your physician can be helpful in determining whether you might need to have this test to diagnose a problem where diabetes and nerve symptoms exist.
JTL
