Electromyography (EMG) is a method of testing the electrical activity of the muscles while they are relaxed and when they are contracting.

Diabetes — Diabetic Neuropathy

If you have diabetes you are at risk for a condition called peripheral neuropathy which can cause the following symptoms: numbness, burning, tingling or decreased feeling in the hands and, very often, feet. Many times the symptoms in the hands act much like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Most of the time, but not always, the symptoms feel more generalized than specific fingers.

The best way to find out if it's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or Diabetic Neuropathy is to be evaluated by a health care specialist. Your family physician or diabetes care doctor need to examine your condition. The most objective way is to have, electromyography and nerve conduction studies. These testing procedures help tell if the problem you are having is localized to the carpal tunnel or more widespread as with neuropathy. It is possible to have both neuropathy and carpal tunnel at the same time.

Diabetic Neuropathies can be serious and you should always seek medical help by your your family and/or diabetes specialist doctor. At even greater risk than a neuropathy in the hands is the neuropathy in the feet. Often the symptoms come on so slow that you don't notice the loss of feeling in the feet. This places you at great risk for serious foot and leg problems.