Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that is caused by diabetes which often affects people who have high blood sugar levels which damage the nerves throughout the body.

3 Types Of Diabetic Neuropathy

There are three basic types of neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy affects muscle strength and often the nerves in the feet and lower legs are affected - this type of neuropathy can lead to serious foot problems over time; autonomic neuropathy affects heartbeat, blood pressure, digestion and urination and focal neuropathy affects a single nerve (such as the wrist, back and chest or those that control eye muscles) and typically happens suddenly.

If you are diabetic, especially as you age you are at a higher risk for developing neuropathy and this can be more common in those who consume alcohol on a regular basis. About half of all diabetics have some form of neuropathy.

Symptoms Of Diabetic Neuropathy

Symptoms of neuropathy include problems with digestion (bloating, constipation, stomach pain), body temperature problems (night sweats), difficulty urinating, sexual problems (erectile dysfunction in men, vaginal dryness in women), poor circulation (causing dizziness, weakness or fainting) and difficulty in sensing low blood sugar.

If your doctor suspects you are suffering from neuropathy, tests such as electromyogram and nerve conduction studies may be done to confirm the diagnosis, and other tests might be done to determine which type of neuropathy you have to help plan treatment.

Treatment of diabetic neuropathy may include:

• Pain may be treated with medicines.
• Digestive system problems or blood vessel problems may be treated with medicines.
• Blood pressure problems may be treated with medicines and by wearing elastic stockings.
• Sexual problems may be helped with medicines or devices to improve erections or with lubricating creams that help vaginal dryness.
• A splint or brace may be used for a pinched nerve.

It is important to remember that since neuropathy reduces awareness of your feet, you are more susceptible to extensive injury-related damage to your feet.

Risk factors for diabetic foot problems include:

• If your blood sugar levels are persistently above the safe range, you are more likely to have foot problems.
• Your risk increases with your age
• Males are at higher risk.
• African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans are at higher risk.
• The longer you are diabetic, the greater your risk.
• Other complications due to diabetes including small blood vessel disease, atherosclerosis of large vessels
• Smoking
• Peripheral neuropathy which may result in poor sensation in your extremities, increasing your likelihood of having foot problems.

Your feet may be damaged in the following ways:

• You may have a blister and not realize it because you do not feel any associated pain or see the blister. Without treatment, this injury may progress to infection
  
• If you have an abnormal gait, neuropathy can increase your chances of getting pressure-related injuries, such as calluses and blisters.

Caring for your feet can be done when you are bathing and getting ready for bed and wearing properly fitted shoes and socks at all times.

These steps can help keep your feet healthy:

• Examine your feet daily, and have your doctor examine your feet during every visit;
  
• Check shoes for any loose objects or rough edges;
  
• Make foot care a part of your regular routine;
  
• Never use home remedies to treat foot problems;
  
• Get early treatment for any foot problem, even if you think it's minor.

Whatever treatment plan you and your doctor decide on, be sure to advise them regularly what is working to help you feel better and what is not so that you can try other types of programs until you find the one that works best for you.
Neuropathy may be prevented by keeping blood sugar levels as near to normal as possible, maintaining a healthy weight and maintaining a healthy diet and proper exercise routine.