Hot flashes. Mood swings. Exhaustion. If menopause weren’t already enough to deal with on its own, did you know that this natural process can also trigger the onset of neuropathy?

What is Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damages to the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is what is sends messages to and from the spinal cord and brain, to the rest of the body. When the PNS is damaged, it causes pain and numbness in hands and feet. 

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects more than 37 million Americans, and approximately 90-95% of them have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t respond to insulin normally, also known as insulin resistance. This leads to high blood sugar levels, which can lead to serious health problems, like heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, over 20 million Americans are estimated to have some form of neuropathy. Since symptoms of neuropathy can start small and gradually become worse, many people with early symptoms of neuropathy delay getting a diagnosis until the symptoms have become unbearable and have taken over their life.