Diabetic neuropathy poses a significant complication for individuals with diabetes, leading to damage to their nervous system.
As a progressive condition, it can exacerbate over time if left untreated.
The nerves in the legs and feet are typically the ones affected by diabetic neuropathy.
This blog aims to provide insights into diabetic care neuropathy, outlining its symptoms and causes.
What is your comprehension of diabetic neuropathy?
Nearly 50% of individuals with diabetes contend with diabetic neuropathy, a severe complication of diabetes.
Those affected by this condition often endure pain and numbness in their legs and feet, depending on the affected nerves.
Patients with diabetic neuropathy may face significant repercussions on their urinary system, digestive tract, and blood vessels.
Conversely, some individuals only experience minor symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
While certain people find diabetic neuropathy to be painful and debilitating, it is noteworthy that the condition can be prevented, and its progression can be slowed down through effective blood sugar control and a healthy lifestyle.
Various forms of diabetic neuropathy exist.
When addressing diabetic neuropathy, there are primarily four types that can affect the nervous system:
This form of diabetic neuropathy impacts the hands and feet, representing a common manifestation of the condition.
2. Autonomic Neuropathy
This type of neuropathy affects the nerves responsible for controlling reflex functions in the body, such as urination, heart rate, or digestion.
3. Thoracic and Lumbar Root or Proximal Neuropathy
In this variant of diabetic neuropathy, nerves are damaged along specific distributions in the body, such as the legs or chest wall.
4. Mononeuropathies
When experiencing mononeuropathies, individual nerves can be affected.
What signs and symptoms characterize diabetic neuropathy?
At times, the manifestation of diabetic neuropathy symptoms may take several years to surface.
It's crucial to note that the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy vary depending on the type of neuropathy.
Peripheral Neuropathy:
Common symptoms include:
- Loss of muscle tone in hands and feet
- Numbness, tingling, pain, and burning sensations starting from toes and fingers, extending to legs or arms
- Loss of balance
- Inability to feel cold, heat, or physical injury
- Charcot’s joint, a breakdown of a joint due to nerve problems, typically in the feet
Autonomic Neuropathy:
Symptoms include:
- Feeling full after small amounts of food
- Heartburn and bloating
- Difficulty in speaking and swallowing
- Diarrhea, nausea, or constipation
- Hypoglycemic unawareness, an inability to feel the effects of low sugar levels
- Vomiting after meals
- Elevated heart rate
- Excessive sweating even in cool temperatures or at rest
- Orthostatic hypotension, causing dizziness when standing up
- Bladder issues, such as difficulty emptying when urinating
Other Types:
- Proximal neuropathy may result in pain in the lower body on one side and weakness in the legs.
- Symptoms of focal neuropathy vary based on the affected nerve and can cause visual disturbances such as double vision in focal and cranial neuropathy.
Individuals with diabetic neuropathy often fail to recognize the condition until their symptoms become more progressive.
What are the various factors that contribute to the development of diabetic neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy arises from persistent elevated blood sugar levels, with several contributing factors that can adversely affect your nerves, including:
1. Mechanical Injuries: Injuries such as those caused by carpal tunnel syndrome can harm your nerves.
2. Vascular Damage: High cholesterol levels can lead to damage in your blood vessels, impacting nerve health.
3. Lifestyle Factors: Habits like alcohol consumption and smoking can contribute to nerve damage.
4. Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Low levels of vitamin B12 can result in neuropathy. The diabetes management medicine Metformin may decrease vitamin B12 levels, and a blood test can identify deficiencies.
Additionally, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of nerve damage:
1. Poor Blood Sugar Control: Uncontrolled blood sugar significantly raises the risk of diabetes complications, including neuropathy.
2. Kidney Disease: Diabetes-related damage to the kidneys can release toxins into the bloodstream, contributing to nerve damage.
3. Diabetes Duration: The longer an individual has diabetes, the higher the risk of developing diabetic neuropathy, particularly when blood sugar is not well-controlled.
4. Smoking: Smoking narrows arteries, reduces blood flow to the legs and feet, and complicates wound healing, all of which contribute to peripheral nerve damage.
5. Overweight: Having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher increases the risk of diabetic neuropathy.
What are the treatment options for diabetic neuropathy?
It's important to note that most forms of diabetic neuropathy tend to progress over time.
If you are dealing with diabetic neuropathy, it is crucial to bring your blood sugar levels within the target range recommended by your doctor.
The second step involves effectively managing cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, which automatically reduces the risk of diabetic neuropathy when glucose levels are well-controlled.
The primary focus of treatment revolves around minimizing pain and addressing various symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy. Medications and physical therapies can play a significant role in pain management.
Medications:
To alleviate pain, your doctor may prescribe medications such as:
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Anticonvulsant pills
- Opioids and nonopioid pain relief drugs
Some individuals with diabetic neuropathy may also benefit from other types of antidepressants like serotonin-norepinephrine inhibitors, which specifically target the painful symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy.
In addition to medications, your doctor may recommend physical therapy, which can provide relief from pain and expedite the treatment process.
If you are experiencing diabetic neuropathy, it is advisable to consult with your doctor promptly to initiate treatment and prevent potential complications.
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