Autonomic neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy tends to happen at a later stage of diabetes than other complications and can present in different ways. Some of the more common signs include sweating due to the skin being compromised, postural hypotension as a result of damage to the nerve supply to the blood vessels, gastroparesis and diarrhoea following deterioration of the nerves supplying the gastrointestinal tract, incontinence or other bladder symptoms. Sexual dysfunction such as difficulty getting or maintaining an erection and vaginal dryness can also occur, and there may be impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia.