Diabetic Mellitus Peripheral Neuropathic Complications and Its Effect on the Wellbeing of African Americans

Elevated blood glucose levels are an indicator of diabetes, a chronic metabolic condition that can severely damage the body’s organs. The number of people with diabetes has shot up during the last few decades, with over 422 million people worldwide affected. Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that can result from various conditions, including diabetes and it is a common complication that can cause weakness, paresthesia, and discomfort in the hands and feet, among other symptoms. Early diagnosis and management of diabetes and its complications are crucial to enhance patient outcomes and lessen the burden of the disease (diabetes) on individuals and healthcare systems. The review examines diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) complication and how it affects the wellbeing of African Americans. This review shows that DPN can cause numbness, pain, and weakness, especially in the hands and feet. It can lead to serious health problems like ulcers, infections, and even amputations. Poor blood sugar control, smoking, and obesity are all risk factors for DPN. It also reveals that African Americans experience DPN differently than Caucasians by reporting lower pain intensity and frequency compared to Caucasians with DPN. Additionally, compared to other ethnicities, African Americans are not likely to receive a diagnosis of DPN or discuss their pain symptoms with healthcare providers. These disparities can have serious consequences. Under-diagnosis of DPN in African Americans can lead to inadequate pain management. In conclusion, unmanaged DPN can worsen over time and contribute to physical disability. Cultural variations in pain expression among African Americans may play a role.