Healthy peripheral nerves transmit signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body at speeds up to 120 meters per second. In neuropathy, the myelin sheath — the protective insulation surrounding nerve fibers — becomes damaged, slowing or disrupting signal transmission. In diabetic neuropathy, chronically elevated blood glucose levels above 180 mg/dL trigger metabolic pathways that produce toxic byproducts harmful to nerve tissue.
As nerve fibers sustain damage, signals become distorted — normal touch may register as pain (allodynia), or pain signals may fire without any stimulus at all. This misfiring explains why neuropathy patients often experience burning, stabbing, or electric-shock sensations even at rest.
The damage extends beyond sensory nerves. Motor nerves controlling muscle movement and autonomic nerves regulating blood pressure, digestion, and heart rate can all be affected, creating a cascade of symptoms that compounds over time without intervention.
