Living with a chronic condition can often feel like navigating an unfamiliar road without a map. But disease awareness—understanding the condition, recognizing its symptoms, and learning about available treatments—can serve as a vital guide. For countless Americans affected by diabetes and its complications, particularly diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), staying informed isn’t just helpful—it’s essential to managing pain, improving quality of life, and advocating for better care. 

Understanding Diabetes and DPN

Diabetes is a chronic health condition, impacting almost 40 million Americans, that affects how the body turns sugar into energy. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. It can affect individuals of any age but is commonly diagnosed in childhood or young adulthood. Type 2 diabetes, more commonly diagnosed in adults, develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it.

One of the most serious and common complications of diabetes is diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), also known as diabetic nerve pain. Affecting up to 50% of people with diabetes, DPN is the result of nerve damage from prolonged high blood sugar levels. It typically starts in the feet and legs but may also affect the hands and arms. Symptoms can include numbness, loss of sensation, tingling, burning, and sharp pain, and the condition often worsens over time.

If left undetected or poorly managed, DPN can lead to unnoticed injuries, infections, and ulcers—especially in the feet—which significantly increase the risk of amputation and even death. Early diagnosis, blood sugar control, and symptom management are essential to reducing the risk of complications.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Having an awareness of DPN’s symptoms is important, because early intervention can slow progression and reduce complications. Common symptoms include:

• Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes, especially in the feet and toes
• Tingling, burning, or prickling sensations
• Sharp pains or cramps in the legs or feet
• Increased sensitivity to touch
• Muscle weakness or coordination problems
• Serious foot problems, such as ulcers, infections, and bone and joint pain

For many, these symptoms can impact daily life—making walking, sleeping, or even wearing socks uncomfortable or unbearable. Unfortunately, because pain is invisible and symptoms vary, people often delay seeking care, assuming their pain is a normal part of aging or a temporary side effect of diabetes. 

Treatment Landscape: Room for Improvement

Despite how common and debilitating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is, there are few FDA-approved treatments specifically for managing DPN-related pain. Currently, only five options are approved: duloxetine, pregabalin, tapentadol extended release, capsaicin 8% topical system, and low- and high-frequency spinal cord stimulation devices.

In addition to FDA-approved treatments, many individuals look to complementary and integrative approaches—such as physical therapy, acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dietary changes—to help manage their symptoms. While these therapies may provide relief for some, they are not effective for everyone.

This lack of universally effective options highlights the urgent need for continued research—both to better understand DPN and to develop new, effective, and accessible treatments that can improve quality of life for those affected.

The Importance of Research and Clinical Trials

For conditions like DPN, where treatment options are limited and no cure exists, research is the foundation of hope. Scientific advancements may result in better diagnostics, earlier interventions, more treatment choices, and ultimately, better outcomes for individuals living with pain.

One of the most impactful ways individuals can help advance research is by participating in clinical trials. These carefully designed trials evaluate the safety and effectiveness of investigational treatments, devices, or care approaches. Without volunteer participants, researchers cannot generate the evidence needed to bring new therapies to those who need them most.

For individuals living with DPN, clinical trial participation may offer several potential benefits:

• Access to potential new therapies not yet available to the public
• Close monitoring and trail-related care from medical professionals
• The opportunity to contribute to the development of future treatments that may help others with DPN or diabetes

However, participation in clinical trials isn’t without risks. There may be unpleasant side effects, the investigational treatment may not work, or individuals may be assigned to a placebo group. That’s why it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons, ask questions, and talk with your health care team before enrolling in a clinical trial. The U.S. Pain Foundation encourages people to visit ClinicalTrials.gov to explore open trials, and to speak with trusted providers to determine if a trial is right for them.

Stay Informed, Stay Involved

Staying informed about DPN and related research is an ongoing process. The U.S. Pain Foundation offers tools and resources to help—including webinars, newsletters, peer support groups, and opportunities to engage in advocacy or research efforts.

If you or someone you love lives with diabetes, pay attention to any signs of nerve-related pain and practice regular foot care. Talk to your doctor, ask questions, and explore your options. Join a clinical trial if it’s right for you. And most of all, know that you’re not alone.