How can diabetes hurt my nervous system?

Having high blood sugar for many years can damage the blood vessels that bring oxygen to some nerves. High blood sugar can also hurt the covering on the nerves. Damaged nerves may stop sending messages. Or they may send messages too slowly or at the wrong times.

Diabetic neuropathy (ne-ROP-uh-thee) is the medical name for damage to the nervous system from diabetes.

The nervous system has four main parts--central, peripheral, autonomic, and cranial. Diabetes can damage the peripheral, autonomic, and cranial nerves.