Diabetic neuropathy may be common, but that’s not something we should take lightly. It can be extremely painful and can be at risk for other serious complications, such as infections and amputations.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates that about half of diabetic patients (types 1 and 2) have some degree of neurological damage or “neurological damage.”
This article explains the signs and symptoms of neuropathy, how to diagnose, treat, how to prevent further complications, and how to maintain activity despite long-term pain.
What is diabetic neuropathy?
There are two types of neuropathy that are most commonly associated with diabetes.
- Peripheral neuropathy: “Peripheral neuropathy can cause tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs and hands,” says the ADA.
- Autonomic nervous system: “Autonomic nervous system disorders affect the nerves in your body that control your body systems,” says ADA.
The most common form to focus on in this article is “peripheral neuropathy.”
Peripheral neuropathy – also known as “diabetic neuropathy” or “PN” – is a severe nerve injury and limited blood flow to the hands, fingers, toes, feet, feet and arms.
You are at risk of developing a neuropathy…
Like retinopathy (nerve damage to the eyes), the main cause of neuropathy is hyperglycemia.
A1C levels exceed 8% year by year, significantly increasing the risk of neurological disorders. A1C levels exceed 10% each year, almost guaranteeing serious and rapid development of neurological disorders.
Mainly, it develops in people who have increased blood sugar levels for years, or who have lived with diabetes for decades.
Neurological disorders can occur in people with healthy blood sugar levels, but they are less common. However, decades of well-controlled diabetes can still lead to mild to moderate neuropathy for some.
In people with diabetes, neuropathy also tends to be closely linked to obesity and hypertension.
Neuropathy is also the result of non-diabetic-related conditions such as a diet of severe nutritional deficiency, exposure to toxic chemicals, renal failure, chronic alcoholism, and drugs used to treat HIV and AIDS.
Steps to prevent diabetic neuropathy
Reduce A1c: Best Ways to Prevent Neuropathy or strict Neurological disorders involve managing blood glucose levels sufficient to keep A1c below 8%. Ideally it’s below 7%.
Limit your alcohol consumption: Limit alcohol consumption to less than one drink per day for women, and 2 drinks per day for men. Ideally, striving to drink only a few drinks over a week will help anyone improve their health dramatically.
Stop smoking Right now.
Become active: Exercise helps increase blood flow and get important nutrients and fresh blood in your fingers and toes. It also helps lower blood sugar levels, lose weight and lower blood pressure.
eat generally Healthy diet: Don’t overthink or feel like you have to take part in cult diet trends. The key point is simple: try consuming generally The whole authentic food. More vegetables. Visits to fast food restaurants will be less. More home cooking.
You don’t need to eat the perfect meal. Aim for the 80/20 rule: There are 80% healthy options that are not optimal to prevent 20% of your choice from feeling unlucky. Long-term nutrition success is main balancenot perfect.
Take insulin and diabetes medications as prescribed. If your blood sugar levels are consistently high or low, consult your healthcare team immediately to help you adjust them. If our habits change, our insulin needs and medication needs can change. For example, losing weight or gaining weight may require adjustments to your medication needs.
And check your blood sugar levels frequently!
Neuropathy symptoms in diabetic patients
The oldest signs and symptoms of neuropathy can be easily identified in the affected area.
Keep in mind what you may feel Some or all Among the following symptoms, symptoms may be neglected and worsening neurological disorders may increase the severity of the symptoms:
- combustion
- It’s tingling
- Nervous
- “Freezing” pain
- Sharp “electric” stab wound
- Very sensitive to touch
- Ultimately, loss of emotions
- Final loss of muscle balance in the affected area
- Final weakness of affected muscles
However, symptoms are not always constant, especially during early development of the condition. Symptoms such as burning and stab wounds can go back and forth. Or it only happens at certain parts of the day.
This makes it easier to dismiss and ignore at first, but you should report these “come and go” symptoms to your healthcare team as soon as possible.
It may be scary to notice symptoms, but doing so can mean saving your senses and use of your fingers, hands, toes, feet, or legs.
Early intervention means that the progression of neurological disorders can be stopped before they get worse.
Diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy
There are several ways to determine that your symptoms are actually the result of a neuropathy.
The first test is simple: neurological tests. Your doctor (typically your primary care or endocrinologist) gently touches various areas around your feet, feet, toes, hands and fingers using safe but sharp instruments.
Close your eyes and tell your doctor what you can feel. This will help your medical team decide which parts of your body are most affected by neurological disorders. The test also includes asking you to show your foot balance and strength, muscle tension, coordination and posture.
Regarding your feet, some of the physical examinations to diagnose neuropathy definitely involve looking for signs of injury based on these three issues:
- Loss of ability to sense vibrations and movement of toes and feet (for example, when toes are up and down)
- Toe and foot pain, mild touch, loss of ability to feel temperature
- Loss or decreases in Achilles tendon reflex
For many patients, additional scans may not be necessary beyond the physical examination.
The second test uses a variety of devices to assess neural function. This detects nerve damage using a probe that sends electrical signals to the nerve. The electrodes are located along the path of that nerve and record the nerve response to the signal. The test, also known as “electromyography,” includes mild pricks and tingling sensations, but is generally painless.
Other tests that determine neural function include autonomic reflex tests, sweat tests, and sensory tests that measure the body’s response to touch, changes in temperature, and vibrations.
For many people with diabetes, these additional tests may not be necessary just because the root cause of neural function problems is not a mystery.
For people None Diabetes, neuropathies can be more mysterious and additional testing is required to rule out other causes such as pinch disks and tumors in the spine.
Treatment of neurological pain
Treatment of neuropathy can be simple and complicated for some people, depending on the severity of the condition at the time they are seeking treatment. Again, that’s why it’s so important to communicate your symptoms to your doctor earlier than you’ve seen them later.
Over-the-counter drugs: Acetaminophen (commonly known for its brand name Tylenol) is useful for mild to moderate neuropathic pain. It works by blocking pain messages from being sent to the brain. However, long-term ingestion of large amounts of acetaminophen can lead to liver damage.
This approach to the treatment of neurological disorders should be done carefully and discussed with the medical team to prevent overconsumption.
NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): NSAID (commonly known by brand names such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, etc.) works by reducing inflammation and reducing pain by reducing prostaglandin production. However, long-term use of NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers, nausea, diarrhea and fatigue.
This approach to the treatment of neurological disorders should be done carefully and discussed with the medical team to prevent overconsumption.
Topical drugs: Creams containing ingredients like capsaicin derived from chili peppers can provide temporary relief for the fiery and stinging pain of neurological disorders. It does not reduce pain over time, but is suitable for local “current” pain management.
Gabapentin: This is a very common method of treating neuralgia and fortunately, side effects It’s quite mellow.
Originally intended as an “antiseizure” drug, it works to block nerve signals In the brain. It is used for all kinds of neuralgia problems – even patients after knee surgery, where neuralgia is the most severe.
The main side effect is that it is generally consumed at night, as it makes you sleepy. This can also help you get a better sleep in the event of neuralgia.
Duloxetine: It is specifically approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, but it is also an antidepressant. According to Latest, “The long-term efficacy and safety of duloxetine for diabetic neuropathy is uncertain. ” It also comes with potential side effects such as nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, reduced appetite, and constipation.
Pregabalin: Additionally, this drug, specifically approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, resembles gabapentin as originally intended as an anti-seizure drug.
However, potential side effects are a little broad, including dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, swelling of the ankles and feet, and weight gain. This drug is also addictive and allows for a more careful decision to start taking it compared to gabapentin.
Tricyclic antidepressants: This type of antidepressant drug, commonly used to treat chronic pain, may also be known by the names amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and desipramine.
Unlike SSRI antidepressants (which have not demonstrated the benefits of neuropathy), tricyclic antidepressants work by increasing levels of norepinephrine and serotonin, blocking the action of neurotransmitters (messages from the brain) that may contain neuropathy. The main side effects photographed at bedtime include dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness and constipation.
Anesthetics: Lidocaine can be used to treat neuralgia in some patients, but it is not the ideal long-term treatment. Lidocaine, the best choice for patients who have not found relief with other treatment options, is administered via a patch and worn for 12 hours over a 24-hour period.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA): This is an antioxidant that has proven effective in a short-term trial to relieve neuralgia in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
It is generally only used in patients who have not been mitigated from other treatment methods, as it is not the first line of treatment, as it has not been studied for long-term use safety. That being said, it is already available in the US as a dietary supplement that can be purchased without a prescription.
Drugs (opioids): Drugs are highly addictive and relatively dangerous painkillers. It is not recommended as a major treatment for diabetic neuropathy due to its high risk of becoming addicted and drug abuse.
Although it can be used for severe “groundbreaking pain” in certain patients, many health professionals treating diabetic neuropathy have stopped prescribing drugs because the risk is too simple.
Drugs should not be considered a long-term treatment option Any Except where absolutely necessary.
*When discussing treatment options with your healthcare team, you should disclose all currently employed medications and supplements. Some medications cannot be taken together or with other medications.
Risks associated with neurological disorders: infection and amputation
One of the biggest concerns regarding neuropathy in diabetics is that loss of emotions in the feet, toes, hands and fingers means that simple cuts, abrasions and blisters can be easily noticed.
In people with high blood sugar levels, the blister or cut can become infected. If the infection is identified and not treated in time, the infection can spread and put you at risk of losing your toes or entire feet. For some people, loss can be a large part of your feet.
a Surveys in 2018 We concluded that 50% of diabetic patients who were amputated each year suffered from some degree of diabetes-related neurological disorder before surgery.
Tips to prevent infection and amputation
Don’t go barefoot: This can cause the loss of toe and foot sensation, which means you will be able to step on something sharp, unable to cut your skin, and there is a risk of cutting your skin.
Change your socks in the middle of the day: This helps to prevent moisture. The wet feet of wet socks are ideal locations for bacteria growth, making it difficult for smaller cuts and blisters to heal. For more information about diabetic socks, click here.
Check your legs every night: Before going to bed, take a closer look at your feet (perhaps with a magnifying glass, if necessary) to look for cuts, scuffs and blisters. If you find it difficult to see the bottom of your feet, you may need to ask a loved one to help you.
Keep your toes neat and tidy: Overgrown toenails and dirty feet are a great environment for cuts, blisters and bacteria. Take care of your toenails and your feet!
Wear good shoes: If you have diabetes and neuropathy, it would be wise to skip the stiletto and invest in only quality shoes! Some shoes good For your feet. Especially when exercising, make sure your shoes are of the right size and of the right type for the activities you are doing. If the shoes are over a few years old, it may be a fresh pairing time. Your feet deserve it!
If you notice that your blisters and cuts are not healed, don’t wait. If your blister or cut does not show significant healing progress within days of identifying it, call your doctor immediately. Signs of infection such as cats, pain, redness, swelling and other infections should be guaranteed to call or travel to the emergency clinic. Don’t wait.
Improve your blood sugar levels: Finally, the healthier your blood sugar level, the less likely it is that small cuts will turn into a catastrophic infection. Excessive sugar in the blood is the perfect ingredient for infection. And the consistent excess sugar in the bloodstream makes it very difficult for simple blisters to heal.
Exercise due to neurological disorders
Last but not least, I need to say I have a neurological disorder it’s not and You shouldn’t Stop exercising.
Getting up and being active regularly is an important part of caring for areas of the body that have been affected by neurological disorders.
Regular exercise can help you manage, prevent, and reverse your neurological disorders in several ways.
- It helps increase blood flow and get fresh blood and oxygen in the toes and fingers.
- It can reduce insulin resistance over time.
- Blood glucose levels drop during exercise and over time.
- It keeps your heart healthy and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- It’s exercise! Especially as a person with diabetes, it is suitable for every part of your body.
But exercising with chronic pain, numbness and burning of the feet is easier than that.
Here are some tips for maintaining activity despite neurological disorders. Be sure to consult with your healthcare team about the right type of exercise that suits your specific needs as a patient with neurological disorders.
Choose aerobic exercise that is less affected or far away from your feet
Swimming, rowing, stationary bikes, Tai Chi, Qi-gong, and water aerobics are all great examples of moving and blood flowing None It has a big impact on the soles of your feet. You will also not be at risk of falling due to loss of balance or muscle strength.
For some people, walking may be a great aerobic exercise depending on the condition of your feet, but make sure you have good shoes and socks to prevent blisters. And if you are still injured in your foot, which is healing, your doctor will advise you to avoid exercising on your feet altogether.
Use the strength training machine
Most gyms have strength or resistance training machines that allow you to sit and stand up, or get caught in almost every muscle in your body as you pass through a series of machines. these are wonderful Strength training helps lower blood sugar levels and reduces insulin resistance, so for people with diabetes and neuropathy, the impact is also very low and is not needed much from the sole of the feet.
And remember, the more muscles in your body, the more calories you burn at rest. There are strength training exercises you can do at home, but the benefits of gyms with these types of circuit machines are endless for people with neuropathy.
Use your TV time to do balance exercises and gentle stretches
Set a timer the next time you sit in front of the TV. Every five minutes, practice a series of balancing exercises during the viewing and do gentle stretches. (It’s great here balance and stretch Exercise from the basics of peripheral neuropathy. )
Maintaining a sense of balance in your body is important when working to manage your neurological disorders. Don’t make your TV a distraction. Use it for your benefit for more boring activities such as balance exercises and stretching!
Ultimately, the diagnosis of neurological disorders is extremely overwhelming. If you use that diagnosis to enhance your decision, it can prevent it from getting worse and improve the way it affects your life immediately.
Reviews of products that can help with diabetic neuropathy:
