How to treat peripheral diabetic neuropathy

How to treat peripheral diabetic neuropathy

Diabetes can damage nerves that transmit signals throughout the body. This nerve damage is called diabetic neuropathy.

If you have diabetes, you are more likely to have high levels of glucose and triglycerides in your blood. Over time, they damage the nerves that send pain signals to the brain, as well as the small blood vessels that supply the nerves with nutrients ... leading to neuropathy.

The best way to prevent or delay the onset of diabetic neuropathy is the control of blood glucose and blood pressure.

Four main types of diabetic neuropathy.

The nerve damage caused by diabetes can manifest itself in different parts and functions of your body. The symptoms vary depending on the nature of your diabetic neuropathy.

There are four main types ...

Autonomic neuropathy is a group of symptoms that occur every day when the nerves responsible for bodily functions are damaged, such as As blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, digestion and emptying of the intestine and bladder. Digestion This leads to a significant dysfunction of your body.

Mononeuropathy or focal neuropathy is a violation of a particular nerve of the face, trunk (middle body) or leg. It is more common in the elderly. Mononeuropathy often occurs suddenly and can cause severe pain. However, this does not usually lead to long-term problems.

Proximal neuropathy is a rare and inactivating form of nerve damage to the hips, buttocks or thighs. This nerve injury usually affects one side of your body, which hampers your movements, but rarely extends to the other side.

Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy (PND) is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy and is the focus of this study.

NDP is a nerve injury that can feel pain, heat and cold. It usually affects first the feet and legs, followed by hands and arms.

Their symptoms can often get worse at night. These may contain one or more of the following elements:

              • reduced numbness or the ability to feel pain or temperature changes

              • Tingling or burning, similar to "pins and needles."

              • "Electric" tremor that runs over your feet at random intervals (which can cause jolts on your feet or legs).

              • acute pain or cramps

              • Higher touch sensitivity (even the weight of a leaf can be painful)

              • Muscle weakness

              • loss of reflexes, especially at the ankle

              • loss of balance and coordination

              • serious foot problems such as ulcers, bone and joint pains and infections

If you have any of these symptoms and you have not yet tested the peripheral diabetic neuropathy, you are experiencing in the clinic where you are treating your diabetes, and you should insist that the test be performed as soon as possible. ,

However, they can not have any symptoms, even if your nerves are damaged.

How common is diabetic neuropathy?

About half of people with diabetes in North America and Europe also suffer from a type of nerve injury. 2 in 10 people already have diabetic peripheral neuropathy when first diagnosed with diabetes.

A person with prediabetes, obesity or metabolic syndrome (high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and abdominal fat in three cases) is much more likely to develop NOC than healthy people.

Therefore, if you have diabetes, it is essential that your doctor regularly checks you for DPN ... if your diabetes is diagnosed, then every year.

What are the controls for diabetic peripheral neuropathy?

Your doctor will conduct a series of tests to determine if you have DPN.

First, he will examine your feet and legs for cuts, sores, and circulatory problems. Then he can see you go to check your balance.

After that, you will probably want to know how sensitive you are to temperature changes. usually by asking yourself the question

He will also want to know how vulnerable you are to light contacts. The doctor can hang a rope or a thin wire on his foot while he looks away and occasionally touches him with the line to see if he sees it. In another test, you can feel your toes and feet to check the vibration sensitivity.

Your doctor will also perform blood and urine tests. They help you track your blood sugar and triglycerides.

These lab tests can also help eliminate other causes of neuropathy, including thyroid problems, kidney failure, low vitamin B12 levels, infections, cancer, HIV and alcohol abuse. Neuropathies derived for such reasons may need to be treated. Different.

The consequences of peripheral diabetic neuropathy

Some of the symptoms of NOC can be very painful, making it very difficult to walk at night and even sleep comfortably.

Also, PND increases your chances of having a severe infection on one of your feet. The reduced ability to feel the pain associated with this type of neuropathy means you will not notice minor cuts, blisters or other foot injuries as you can not touch them.

Because polygenic disease reduces the potency of your system, minor cuts will take longer to heal. These wounds could become severe before you discover them. So they might become severely infected, that means that if you do not receive the correct care during a timely manner, you may lose a toe or a foot through amputation.

Charcot's foot is another threat arising from DPN. Severe pathology will weaken the bones of your foot. As a result, the bones will crack or break.

Because your feet lack feeling, you may continue walking on your broken foot and then deform it. The arch, for instance, may collapse and bulge down.

If it's caught early enough, and following an amount of rest, a talented doctor will treat Charcot foot with braces and exclusive shoes. Severe cases, however, would wish surgery.

How to look after your feet

Nothing is done to reverse the injury caused to your feet by diabetic peripheral pathology.

However, their area unit many things that may be done to assist the pain and stop DPN from obtaining worse.

Painkillers. Over-The-Counter meds don't seem to be a lot of sensible for treating the pain of peripheral pathology. The product you place on your skin to numb it, like Xylocaine, could the pain.

Medication accustomed treat depression (e.g., citalopram) and seizures (e.g., gabapentin) will cut back the pain.

Personally, this author has found Neurostil (gabapentin) helpful in deadening the pain within the soles of his feet thanks to DPN.

Also, physiatrics within the style of unique exercises designed to revive your sense of balance and therefore, the sensations in your feet will keep you moving (and improve your mood at a similar time). Simply Google "exercises for peripheral pathology in feet" for any suggestions.

Caring for your feet.. as a result of your feet area unit insensitive, you'll not notice minor injuries that may grow into major issues. Hus, you must check your feet daily. It is searching for sores, cuts or burns. While not forgetting to envision between your toes. You'll be able to use a mirror thus see the undersides of your soles. If you discover any issues that don't clear up during a day more or less, you must consult your doctor.

Keep your feet clean. You must wash them every evening in heat water, testing the water to create positive it's not too hot before you place your feet in. Ensure you dry them later.

When you area unit lying down, place your feet up (on pillows, say) to stay your circulation going. Writhing your toes also will facilitate to rest your feet healthy.

Appropriate footwear. Splash out on sensible, comfy shoes that breathe and have lots of space for your toes. The dimension should be adequate for your feet. Ensure that the salesperson goes to the difficulty of mensuration your feet properly. Numerous forms of runners area unit best, particularly those with gel or air-cushions within the soles think about using inserts or purchase special shoes for people with diabetes.

Show your shoes to your doctor after you choose a check-up and fire his opinion.