Having knowledge of diabetic neuropathy offers a beacon of hope for millions worldwide. It's a condition that whispers before it shouts, and it’s important to arm yourself with information.
Diabetic Neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes.
High glucose levels, also known as high blood sugar and high triglycerides, can damage nerves in your body and the small blood vessels that nourish your nerves with oxygen and nutrients.
Imagine your home's electrical wiring system as a vast network of wires, switches, and outlets, all precisely designed to deliver electricity where it's needed, from lighting up your rooms to powering your appliances. This system is hidden within the walls, silently and efficiently doing its job, like the nerves in your body.
Now, think of the nerves as the body's electrical wiring. Just as electrical wires carry electricity to different parts of your house, nerves transmit electrical signals throughout your body, enabling you to feel sensations, move muscles, and even regulate internal organs' functions.
When there's a problem in your home's electrical wiring—let’s say, a frayed wire or a faulty connection—certain appliances will not work properly, or you might experience a short circuit. Similarly, when nerve damage occurs, as in the case of diabetic neuropathy, the "signals" can get mixed up or not transmitted at all. This can lead to numbness, pain, or even the inability to control certain muscles.
High blood sugar causes damage to your small blood vessels and nerves, just as bathing your electrical system in water would cause it to break down. Proper glucose management to mitigate nerve damage should be a priority for diabetics.
Neuropathy is one of the serious side effects of having diabetes.
There are four different types of diabetic neuropathy. For our discussion, we will acknowledge all types and discuss two. Around 50% of diabetics will experience some level of peripheral neuropathy, and 30 percent of diabetics with experience symptoms of autonomic neuropathy.
What are the different types of diabetic neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that affects the feet and legs, and occasionally the hands and arms.
Autonomic neuropathy is damage to nerves that control your internal organs. It can lead to problems with heart rate, blood pressure, digestive system, bladder, sex organs, and eyes.
Focal neuropathy is a condition in which you have damage to a single nerve, most often in your hand, head, torso and leg, causing pain and muscle weakness.
Proximal neuropathy is a rare and disabling type of nerve damage that impacts one side of your body and causes severe pain and may cause significant weight loss.
Symptoms and warning signs
Would you agree that our body sends us warning signals when something is amiss? In Diabetic neuropathy, these warning signs are varied and include:
tingling
numbness
burning pain and may be worse at night
muscle weakness
you may not notice when you have stepped on something sharp or a pebble
numbness to fingers and hand
slow healing sores
balance issues
When you have these symptoms, this is your body talking to you. Please listen up!
What are the major risk factors?
High blood sugar stands as the chief cause of diabetic neuropathy. Include your length of time with diabetes, kidney disease, and obesity, are in the mix. The key to changing course is managing these factors with precision, dedication, and care.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing diabetic neuropathy involves a blend of medical history review, physical exams, and specific tests to gauge nerve function. Diagnosis may be as involved as a biopsy of a specific nerve.
It can include pin pricks, nerve conduction studies, electromyography to check the electrical activity in muscles, or as simple and non-invasive as brushing a feather across a specific area to gauge your feeling.
Complications
Left unchecked, diabetic neuropathy can lead to serious consequences and complications that impact your quality of your life.
infections
foot ulcers that don't heal
amputation of a toe, foot, or limb
host of digestive problems
erection and sexual issues
eyesight
cardiovascular problem
Education awareness, early intervention and diligent management of your blood sugar are an integral part of taking care of yourself and your family. Your family because they may have to pick up the pieces for you.
Amputation is the complication that scares me the most. What's your fear? Recognize it and determine not to let it happen. Remember, there is the potential for symptoms to worsen for you over time if not managed.
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Management and treatment options
Currently, there are many treatment options available for diabetic neuropathy. Many are unsatisfactory. There are medications for pain relief, treatments for managing blood sugar levels, and therapies for other symptoms.
According to the medical profession, diabetic neuropathy has no known cure. The goals of treatment are to slow progression, relieve pain, manage complications and restore function.
Many medications are available for pain relief, but they don’t work for everyone. Have a talk with your health care team about the right medication for you.
Some anti-seizure drugs used to treat seizure disorders are used to ease nerve pain.
Your health care team may also prescribe an anti-depressant to relieve mild to moderate nerve pain.
Every so often, an antidepressant may be combined with an anti-seizure drug. These drugs can also be used with pain-relieving medication, such as medication available without a prescription.
For example, you may find relief from acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or a skin patch with lidocaine (a numbing substance).
There is alpha lipoic acid a potent anti-oxidant. (Over the counter). I have mild neuropathy on the ball of my right foot for some time, and I truly think alpha lipoic acid has helped keep it at bay. Don’t expect immediate results. It takes time. There has been research with positive results.
Managing complications
To manage further complications, you may need a specialist. A (urologist) for urinary tract problems, a (cardiologist) for heart issues, a (gastroenterologist) for digestive problems and finally an ophthalmologist for your eyes.
Charting a course for hope
While diabetic neuropathy might seem daunting, it can be managed. There’s a wealth of strategies to manage the condition and maintain a high quality of life. Again, tight glucose control, a nutritious diet, regular exercise, are particular points that guide this journey for you. Let’s include medication for pain, physical therapy for balance and coordination, meditation and yoga for emotional support. Armed with knowledge, support, and resilience, you can lead a vibrant and fulfilling life.
Support
I urge you to join a support group for encouragement and to keep abreast of new innovative therapies and drugs. We all require hope. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy?
In conclusion, in the grand scheme of health, diabetic neuropathy is a challenging yet navigable path. I encourage you to take proactive steps with diet, exercise, blood sugar control, and consulting your health care team for personalized advice.
Embrace the journey you are on with optimism because every step taken in understanding and managing diabetic neuropathy is a step toward a healthier outcome.
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