One of the essential organ systems of the human body is the nervous system. But as we age or get affected by disease or some condition, it tends to malfunction. It is called neuron degeneration, where nerve cells pass messages more slowly or may not fully function. Due to the underlying condition of diabetics, the chances of diabetic neuropathy become high. But what is it, what are the causes, and is there any cure or treatment? That’s what will be discussed here.
It is a nerve damage caused by diabetes. It can develop at any time and occasionally is the first sign of diabetes. The longer diabetic you are, the more the risk of getting diabetic neuropathy.
The legs and feet are the most affected. However, with time, it can affect sensory neurons (responsible for carrying out information about changes in the external or internal environment to the central nervous system) and motor nerves (which send messages between muscles and skeletons for movement).
The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to suffer from diabetic neuropathy. That means it is likely to affect people who are 60 years old and above. Almost 50% or more Type 2 diabetic patients are likely to get these kinds of complications.
Here, a single specific nerve gets damaged. This nerve can be located in the face, torso, arm, leg, and chest (thoracic nerves). Problems reported by patients and doctors include
Here, multiple sensory nerves and motor nerves are affected. The damage can branch out from the spinal cord towards the arms, hands, legs, and feet. Generally, longer nerves are affected the most. It may cause sensations like burning, tingling, numbness in the body parts mentioned above, sharp pain, and loss of balance.
It is further subdivided into two types:
Here, nerves responsible for involuntary actions, which control blood pressure, heart rate, sweat glands, eyes, bladder, and urinary tract, are affected. People may suffer from digestive issues, low BP, irregularities in heart rate, abnormal sweating, problems with regulating body temperature, and bladder problems.
First of all, it is a rare type of diabetic neuropathy that only affects 1% of Type 2 diabetic patients. It affects nerves in the thighs, hips, buttocks, legs, and rarely in the arms. Some patients may experience weight loss. Patients may experience difficulty getting up from sitting, chest pain, weakness in thigh muscles, and abdominal wall pain.
Diabetic neuropathy is a long-term complication of diabetes. It is caused by
High blood sugar can cause chemical changes in nerves and may result in malfunction. It prohibits the ability to transmit information. This, in turn, prevents essential nutrition & oxygen from reaching the nerve cells.
High levels of cholesterol or triglyceride may affect patients who are obese.
There are some genetic traits that can make patients more vulnerable to nerve issues than others.
Depending on the severity of the affected nerves, the symptoms may vary from mild to severe.
The diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy is based on the patient’s history, physical examination, and some lab test reports.
Note: You may not need to go through all of these tests. Depending on your condition, your doctor may ask you to take a few of them. We highly recommend not self-diagnosing any illness and consulting a doctor if any symptoms are prominent and reoccurring.
Nerve decompression microsurgery can relieve from:
Note: The diabetic neuropathy caused by abnormal glucose metabolism can’t be repaired.
These are some common medications that are prescribed to diabetic neuropathy patients.
Kindly consult a doctor before taking any of them, as it can have adverse effects on your health.
Physiotherapy is a crucial element in the management of diabetic neuropathy, particularly under the guidance of Dr. Mrs. Surabhi Sachin Dhanwala (PT) at Dhanwala Naturo & Physio Care. She and her team provide multiple sessions & an overall holistic approach for patients by offering diabetic neuropathy treatment.
This can greatly benefit people who are suffering from diabetic neuropathy. These exercises include some non-weight-bearing programs like stationary bicycles, upper body ergometers, ankle pumps, aerobic exercises, seated exercises, swimming, rowing, etc.
Some natural treatments include adding nutrients such as vitamins, cayenne pepper, fruits (containing antioxidants), whole grains, nuts, legumes, omega-3 fatty acids, lean protein, etc. A physiotherapist can make an exclusive diet plan for you depending on the type of diabetic neuropathy and its severity.
It promotes natural healing by stimulating pressure points in the body. It triggers the nervous system to release chemicals that can change the pain threshold. These pressure points can be in the lower legs, feet, bottom feet, etc. It helps balance emotional well-being.
Apart from these, warm baths and meditation can also help. You can include essential oils (that have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties) such as chamomile and Roman lavender to help increase circulation in the body.
Popularly referred to as the “lady with magical hands,” Dr. Dhanwala adopts a holistic approach to relieve from symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy. So, contact us today to book your appointment. We understand neuropathy can become emotionally downing for some, but remember, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
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