Do I Have Neuropathy? Take Our Neuropathy Quiz to Find Out

You wake up, swing your legs out of bed, and when your feet hit the floor, there it is. That weird tingling sensation, like your foot “fell asleep” but never quite woke up. Or maybe you’ve noticed your hands feel a little numb when you’re trying to button your shirt in the morning.

If you have diabetes, these little moments might be more than just “getting older” or “sleeping wrong.” They could be early signs that your nerves are trying to get your attention.

At Simply Southern Chiropractic Center, patients come in saying, “I don’t know if this is normal, but…” and then describe symptoms that make us think about neuropathy, which is just a fancy word for nerve damage.

We put together this simple quiz to help you figure out if what you’re noticing might actually be your nerves asking for help. This isn’t meant to replace talking with your doctor, but it can help you understand what to watch for and when it might be time to get things checked out.

Table of Contents:

• Take Our Free Neuropathy Symptom Quiz
• What Your Neuropathy Quiz Results Mean
• How to Prevent Diabetic Neuropathy From Getting Worse
• Neuropathy Treatment Options at Simply Southern

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Take Our Free Neuropathy Symptom Quiz

Answer each question honestly based on what you’ve been experiencing. At the end, we’ll help you understand what your responses might mean.

Do you have diabetes?

A) Yes, Type 1 or Type 2
B) No
C) I’m not sure, or I have pre-diabetes

Having diabetes is the biggest factor when it comes to neuropathy risk. About half of people with diabetes will develop some type of nerve issues at some point.

The longer you’ve had diabetes, especially with blood sugar that’s been hard to control, the higher your chances. Catching it early matters.

• If you answered A: you should definitely be getting checked for neuropathy every year
• If you answered C: it’s worth having a conversation with your doctor about diabetes testing

Are you getting that “pins and needles” feeling in your feet or hands?

A) Yes, and it happens pretty often
B) Sometimes: comes and goes
C) Not really

What we see in our office: This tingling sensation is usually the very first thing people notice. It typically starts in your toes and feet, then might spread to your hands later on. Some patients tell us it feels like they’re wearing invisible socks or gloves. If you’re experiencing this regularly, it’s worth getting checked out.

Do you get burning, shooting, or stabbing pain, especially at night?

A) Yes, and it’s worst when I’m trying to sleep
B) I get sharp pains sometimes during the day
C) No sharp or burning pain

Here’s what patients tell us: “It feels like walking on broken glass,” or “My feet are on fire,” or “It’s like electric shocks shooting through my legs.” This kind of nerve pain is different from regular aches. It’s sharp, intense, and often gets worse when you’re lying down at night.

Night tends to be worse because daytime activity and distraction mask the signals, lying down removes that buffer.

Have you noticed any of these changes with your feet?

A) Cuts or sores that just won’t heal properly
B) My feet look different: new bumps, calluses, or shape changes
C) Really dry skin or unusual sweating patterns
D) My feet look and feel normal

When the nerves in your feet aren’t working right, you might hurt yourself and not even know it. We’ve had patients step on something sharp, get a blister from new shoes, or burn themselves accidentally, and they didn’t feel it happen.

Your feet may also change shape as the nerves controlling your foot muscles are affected, and since nerves regulate sweating too, skin can get very dry or sweat unusually. A tiny cut can turn into a serious infection when you can’t feel it getting worse, which is why any change to your feet deserves attention.

Are you feeling less steady on your feet than you used to?

A) Yes, I feel wobbly or I’ve fallen more often lately
B) Sometimes I feel a little off-balance
C) My balance feels fine

Your feet have special nerves that are constantly sending messages to your brain about where you are in space and how your feet are positioned. When diabetes damages these nerves, your brain doesn’t get clear information about what your feet are doing.

You might feel unsteady, especially in the dark or when you’re walking on uneven surfaces. Some of our patients tell us they have to look down at their feet more when walking, or they feel safer holding onto walls or railings. Balance problems related to neuropathy are also a leading cause of falls in people with diabetes.

Have you been dealing with any stomach or digestion issues?

A) I get full really fast, or I feel nauseous and bloated
B) I’m having problems with constipation or diarrhea
C) My digestion feels normal

Diabetes doesn’t only affect the nerves in your arms and legs. It can also damage the nerves that control your digestive system, a condition called autonomic neuropathy.

When these nerves are affected, food might move too slowly through your stomach, making you feel stuffed after just a few bites. Or your intestines might not work quite right, causing unpredictable bathroom issues.

How long have you had diabetes, and how has your blood sugar control been?

A) More than 10 years, and my blood sugar has been hard to control
B) 5-10 years, and my control is okay most of the time
C) Less than 5 years, and my numbers are pretty good
D) I don’t have diabetes

Time and blood sugar control are the two biggest factors in neuropathy risk. The longer you’ve had diabetes, especially if your A1C has been running high, the more likely you are to develop nerve problems.

Better blood sugar management may help slow down nerve damage, and some people see improvement in their symptoms. It’s never too late to take better care of yourself.

What Your Neuropathy Quiz Results Mean

If you answered mostly A’s:

We’d really like you to get this checked out soon. You’re experiencing several symptoms that could point to neuropathy, and the sooner you address it, the better. Early treatment can help prevent things from getting worse and might even improve how you’re feeling now.

If you answered mostly B’s:

It’s worth having a conversation with your doctor. You’ve got some symptoms that could be early signs of nerve issues. It’s important to take care of the small problems before they become big ones.

If you answered mostly C’s or D’s:

That’s encouraging. You’re not showing many warning signs right now. But if you have diabetes, you should still get checked for neuropathy every year, even if you feel fine. Nerve damage can be sneaky and start before you feel any symptoms.

Regardless of your results, call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:

• Any open sores or wounds on your feet that won’t heal
• Pain that’s so bad it keeps you up at night
• Complete numbness in your hands or feet
• Increased falls or a significant change in your balance
• Sudden vision changes

If you have diabetes, you need to get your feet and nerves checked at least once a year. Catching problems early makes all the difference.

How to Prevent Diabetic Neuropathy From Getting Worse

The most important thing you can do is keep your blood sugar levels where they need to be. Blood sugar control is the single biggest factor in preventing more nerve damage.

Your daily diabetes care:

• Take your medications exactly as prescribed
• Check your blood sugar as often as your doctor recommends
• Stick to your meal plan. Consistency matters more than perfection
• Stay active: even walking daily helps a lot

Take care of your feet every single day:

• Check your feet daily for any cuts, sores, or changes
• Keep them clean and dry
• Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet
• Don’t walk barefoot, including inside the house
• Ask your doctor to check your feet at every visit

Neuropathy Treatment Options at Simply Southern

If this quiz has you thinking that maybe those symptoms aren’t so “normal” after all, we’re here to help you get some answers.

Even though nerve damage can’t be completely undone, there are treatment options that may help you feel better and can work to prevent it from getting worse. At Simply Southern Chiropractic Center, we work with people managing neuropathy symptoms every day. Results vary, but many people find they don’t have to just “live with it.”

What you can do:

• Get your blood sugar managed: this is still the most important step
• Pain relief options: holistic treatments, including chiropractic adjustment, that can reduce burning, tingling, and shooting pain
• Specialized foot care: to keep your feet healthy and prevent serious problems
• Lifestyle support: nutrition, exercise, and stress management that works for your life

Our neuropathy program combines these approaches to help reduce your symptoms and protect your nerves from more damage. You can learn more about our unique program here. 

Ready to get some real answers about what’s going on with your nerves? 

Schedule your neuropathy evaluation today. 

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References

Boulton, A. J., Vinik, A. I., Arezzo, J. C., et al. (2005). Diabetic neuropathies: A statement by the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care, 28(4), 956-962. https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.28.4.956

Callaghan, B. C., Cheng, H. T., Stables, C. L., Smith, A. L., & Feldman, E. L. (2012). Diabetic neuropathy: Clinical manifestations and current treatments. The Lancet Neurology, 11(6), 521-534. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(12)70065-0

Feldman, E. L., Callaghan, B. C., Pop-Busui, R., et al. (2019). Diabetic neuropathy. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 5, 42. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-019-0097-9

Pop-Busui, R., Boulton, A. J., Feldman, E. L., et al. (2017). Diabetic neuropathy: A position statement by the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care, 40(1), 136-154. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-2042

Tesfaye, S., Boulton, A. J., Dyck, P. J., et al. (2010). Diabetic neuropathies: Update on definitions, diagnostic criteria, estimation of severity, and treatments. Diabetes Care, 33(10), 2285-2293. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc10-1303