Diabetic Neuropathy in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by long-term high blood sugar levels. It affects the peripheral nervous system—the network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and is regularly diagnosed and managed at major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health.

What Is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy occurs when chronically high blood glucose and abnormal blood lipid (fat) levels damage nerves and the small blood vessels that supply them. This damage can affect:

  • Sensory nerves (feeling)
  • Motor nerves (movement)
  • Autonomic nerves (automatic body functions like heart rate and digestion)

Up to 50% of people with diabetes will develop some form of neuropathy over time. Many people in Grand Rapids discover they have neuropathy during routine diabetes checkups rather than because of symptoms.

Types of Diabetic Neuropathy

Peripheral Neuropathy (Most Common Type)

This is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy and usually affects:

  • Feet and toes (first and most severely)
  • Legs
  • Hands and fingers (less commonly at first)

Symptoms often begin in both feet and gradually move up the legs in a “stocking-like” pattern.

Autonomic Neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves that control internal organs and automatic body functions. This can involve:

  • Heart and blood pressure
  • Stomach and intestines
  • Bladder
  • Sexual function
  • Sweating and temperature regulation

This type is especially important in a climate like West Michigan, where cold winters and icy conditions can make balance problems and blood pressure changes more dangerous.

Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

Symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. Some people have no symptoms but still have nerve damage found on exam.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

You may notice one or more of the following, especially in your feet and legs:

  • Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature
  • Pins and needles, tingling, or burning sensations
  • Sharp, stabbing, or shooting pain
  • Increased sensitivity to touch (even bedsheets can hurt)
  • Pain that is often worse at night, disturbing sleep
  • Muscle weakness
  • Loss of balance and coordination
  • Changes in the shape of the feet (claw toes, hammer toes, bunions)

These changes increase the risk of:

  • Foot ulcers
  • Infections
  • In severe cases, amputation

Cold, icy winters in Grand Rapids can further increase fall risk for people with neuropathy-related balance problems.

Symptoms of Autonomic Neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy can cause problems such as:

  • Digestive issues

    • Slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis)
    • Nausea, vomiting
    • Heartburn or abdominal pain
    • Constipation or, less commonly, diarrhea

  • Bladder problems

    • Difficulty starting urination
    • Incomplete emptying
    • Increased risk of urinary tract infections

  • Sexual dysfunction

    • Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection (men)
    • Decreased sexual response (women)

  • Heart and blood pressure

    • Dizziness or fainting when standing up (orthostatic hypotension)
    • Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
    • Reduced awareness of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia unawareness)

  • Sweating and temperature control

    • Too much or too little sweating
    • Difficulty tolerating heat or cold

Causes and Risk Factors

How Diabetes Damages Nerves

The main factors that contribute to diabetic neuropathy include:

  • High blood glucose (hyperglycemia) over many years
  • Abnormal blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides)
  • Reduced blood flow to nerves
  • Inflammation and oxidative stress from long-term diabetes

Major Risk Factors

You’re more likely to develop diabetic neuropathy if you:

  • Have had diabetes for many years (type 1 or type 2)
  • Have poor blood sugar control
  • Have high blood pressure
  • Have high cholesterol or triglycerides
  • Are overweight or obese
  • Smoke or vape
  • Have other diabetes complications (kidney disease, heart disease, eye disease)

In Kent County and the Grand Rapids area, these risk factors are common, and local public health agencies such as the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health offer programs to support diabetes management, smoking cessation, and healthy lifestyle changes.

Can Diabetic Neuropathy Be Cured?

There is no cure for diabetic neuropathy and damaged nerves cannot usually be repaired once the damage is severe. However:

  • Good blood sugar control can reduce the risk of developing neuropathy by up to 60%
  • Early and consistent treatment can slow progression
  • Pain and other symptoms can often be managed effectively
  • Foot complications, infections, and amputations can often be prevented

Diagnosis of Diabetic Neuropathy in Grand Rapids

Your healthcare provider in Grand Rapids (primary care physician, endocrinologist, or diabetes specialist) may:

  • Take a detailed medical history

    • Duration and control of diabetes
    • Symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, dizziness, or digestive issues

  • Perform a physical and neurological exam, including:

    • Checking ankle and knee reflexes
    • Testing sensation in your feet and legs:
      • Light touch (cotton or monofilament)
      • Temperature
      • Pinprick (pain)
      • Vibration (tuning fork)
    • Checking muscle strength and balance
    • Inspecting your feet for:
      • Ulcers
      • Calluses
      • Deformities
      • Skin or nail changes
      • Signs of infection

  • Order lab tests to:

    • Assess blood glucose and A1C
    • Check cholesterol and triglycerides
    • Rule out other causes of neuropathy (e.g., low vitamin B1, B12, thyroid disease, kidney disease)

Many of these services are routinely provided at Grand Rapids-area clinics, including diabetes centers at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.

Treatment for Diabetic Neuropathy

Goals of Treatment

  • Slow or prevent further nerve damage
  • Relieve pain and discomfort
  • Prevent foot ulcers, infections, and amputations
  • Improve sleep, mobility, and quality of life

1. Blood Sugar and Risk Factor Management

Good diabetes control is the foundation of neuropathy care:

  • Maintain blood glucose within your target range (as advised by your provider)
  • Aim for a healthy A1C (often <7%, individual goals may vary)
  • Maintain a healthy weight for your height
  • Reduce blood pressure and cholesterol through:
    • Heart-healthy diet
    • Regular exercise
    • Medications if needed

In Grand Rapids, diabetes education and nutrition counseling are available through:

  • Hospital-based diabetes education programs (Corewell Health, Trinity Health, Metro Health)
  • Local community health centers
  • Kent County Health Department programs

2. Foot Care and Prevention of Complications

Because numbness means you may not feel injuries, daily foot care is critical:

  • Inspect your feet every day
    • Look for cuts, blisters, redness, calluses, swelling, or nail problems
  • Wash and dry feet carefully, especially between toes
  • Use moisturizer on dry skin (but not between toes)
  • Trim nails carefully or have them trimmed by a podiatrist if you have difficulty
  • Choose appropriate socks and shoes
    • Well-fitted, cushioned shoes
    • No seams that rub
    • Socks that are not too tight and wick moisture
  • Check inside your shoes every time before putting them on
    • Remove stones, sticks, or any foreign objects that could injure your feet
  • Avoid walking barefoot, indoors or outdoors

Cold, wet winters and icy sidewalks in Grand Rapids make good footwear even more important to prevent slips, falls, and frostbite in numb feet.

Have your feet checked:

  • At least once a year by your doctor, podiatrist, or diabetes educator
  • More often if you already have neuropathy or foot problems

A podiatry referral is often recommended for ongoing preventive care and management of foot complications.

3. Pain Management for Neuropathic Pain

If you have painful diabetic neuropathy, your provider may recommend medications specifically for nerve pain. These are different from typical over-the-counter pain relievers.

Common first-line options include:

  • Anti-epileptic medications

    • Gabapentin
    • Pregabalin

  • Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

    • Duloxetine
    • Venlafaxine

  • Tricyclic antidepressants

    • Amitriptyline (and related medications)

These medications can:

  • Reduce burning, stabbing, or shooting pain
  • Improve sleep quality
  • Improve overall quality of life

If one medication does not work well or causes side effects, your doctor may:

  • Adjust the dose
  • Switch to a different medication
  • Combine two different types

If these options fail to control pain adequately, second-line treatments may include:

  • Opioid analgesics
  • Tramadol

These are used cautiously and usually only after other options have been tried. Pain management specialists are available in Grand Rapids at major health systems if needed.

4. Lifestyle Measures

In addition to medical treatment:

  • Exercise regularly

    • Walking, swimming, or low-impact activities
    • Helps blood sugar control, weight, and circulation
    • Talk with your provider about safe activities if you have balance or foot problems

  • Stop smoking or vaping

    • Smoking damages blood vessels and worsens nerve damage
    • Support is available through:
      • Michigan Quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669)
      • Local hospital-based smoking cessation programs
      • Kent County Health Department resources

  • Limit alcohol

    • Excessive alcohol can worsen neuropathy

Living With Diabetic Neuropathy in Grand Rapids

With the right care and local support, many people in Grand Rapids live well with diabetic neuropathy. Key steps include:

  • Keeping all diabetes and foot care appointments
  • Working with a multidisciplinary team:
    • Primary care provider or internist
    • Endocrinologist (diabetes specialist)
    • Podiatrist
    • Diabetes educator
    • Dietitian
  • Using local resources:
    • Hospital-based diabetes education programs
    • Community health programs through the Kent County Health Department
    • Support groups offered by local clinics or the American Diabetes Association

When to See a Doctor

Contact your Grand Rapids healthcare provider promptly if you:

  • Notice pain, numbness, burning, or tingling in your feet, legs, or hands
  • Have wounds, blisters, or sores on your feet that don’t heal
  • See redness, warmth, or swelling in your feet
  • Develop balance problems or frequent falls
  • Experience digestive issues, bladder problems, dizziness when standing, or sexual dysfunction

Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications.

Key Points About Diabetic Neuropathy

  • Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes and is the most common cause of neuropathy.
  • Up to half of people with diabetes will develop some form of neuropathy.
  • There is no cure, but:
    • Good blood sugar and lipid control can reduce risk and slow progression.
    • Symptoms, especially pain, can often be effectively managed.
  • Damaged nerves cannot be fully repaired, but:
    • Careful foot care and regular checkups can prevent ulcers and amputations.
  • If first-line medications for neuropathic pain do not work, opioid analgesics and tramadol may be considered as second-line treatments under close medical supervision.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and not smoking are crucial for prevention and management.
  • Grand Rapids residents have access to excellent diabetes and neuropathy care through Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, Mercy Health, and community resources such as the Kent County Health Department.