What condition is commonly associated with poorly controlled diabetes that can cause numbness?

Neuropathy is a condition frequently seen in individuals with poorly controlled diabetes, characterized by damage to the nerves, particularly those in the extremities such as hands and feet. High blood sugar levels can lead to this type of nerve damage, resulting in symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain in the affected areas. This is particularly common in diabetes mellitus, where long-term exposure to elevated glucose levels can lead to various complications, including diabetic neuropathy.

While hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar levels, it typically results in symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, or confusion, rather than numbness. Peripheral vascular disease involves reduced blood flow to the limbs due to narrowed arteries, which can cause pain and other issues but is not primarily associated with numbness related to nerve damage. Heart failure involves the heart's inability to pump effectively and can lead to a variety of symptoms, but it is not directly linked to the numbness that is a hallmark of neuropathy. Therefore, neuropathy is the most accurate answer connected specifically to the complication seen in poorly controlled diabetes that leads to numbness.