The exact cause of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is still not fully determined. Scientists have found that the condition may be related to a cascade of reactions caused by long‑term high blood glucose.
For example, high blood glucose can damage small blood vessels, disrupt metabolic balance, produce oxidative damage, and trigger nerve inflammation and impaired vitamin absorption. All these factors may collectively lead to nerve injury.
The development of DPN is complex. Two main scenarios have been observed:
One is nerve damage caused by absolute insulin deficiency in patients with type 1 diabetes.
The other is metabolic abnormalities caused by insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.