Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that is a long term complication of diabetes. Throughout the body, there is a network of nerves that connect the brain to the skin, muscles and other organs. It is through these nerves that the brain can feel the pain. It is also through these nerves that the brain controls the muscles and does such work as breathing and digestion automatically.
High blood glucose levels can harm these nerves. Too much glucose can make the walls of the small blood vessels weak to the point that they are unable to nourish the nerves. This nerve damage caused by diabetes in hands and feet and other parts of the body is part of this condition. Sometimes it flares up suddenly, making people who suffer from it lose weight and become weak.
What are the causes of diabetic neuropathy? Authorities know the factors contributing to it; they do not really know for sure the exact cause. One factor they have isolated that contributes to it is excess blood glucose. This extra blood glucose leads to chemical changes in the nerves. This makes the nerves unable to send out messages to the different parts of the body.
The blood glucose damages the blood vessels making them unable to carry nutrients and oxygen to the nerves. This makes the blood vessels clogged up. Inherited factors could also be the cause which naturally make those concerned vulnerable to develop this condition.
Is diabetic neuropathy common? This condition can happen to those who have diabetes. Some diabetics develop this within ten years after they are diagnosed. The tendency to develop this condition goes up the longer one has diabetes. It is more common among those who smoke and over the 40-year old group who are not able to control their blood glucose levels.
What are the different kinds of diabetic neuropathy?
There is the damage to the sensory nerves which will make one unable to become aware of pain, change in temperature and texture. There is the damage to the nerves that are controlling the muscles leaving one weak. There is the damage to the autonomic nerves which increases the heart rate. Some men with this condition may be unable to have an erection.
The signs and symptoms are as follows:
Burning pain that is on and off. Crawling feeling Feeling of numbness, tingling, pain or any combination Aching or stabbing pain that is worst at night.
What is the treatment for diabetic neuropathy? To reduce the signs and symptoms, blood glucose control is a must. The physician may also prescribe drugs to ease the pain. There are different medications that can reduce the burning pain. Since reaction to the change in the temperature is reduced, be careful not to get burned when using an electric blanket or bathing.
There's another treatment for pain that is related to the nerve damage. And this is an over the counter topical cream like capsaicin. Others that are in the same family are Axsain, Zostrix and capsaicin-P. They are also available to relieve the pain.
Rubbing the above cream on the skin helps block the painful sensation. One can feel relief within two to four weeks after its first use. One needs to use this everyday in order to keep the pain from returning. Other treatments include biofeedback, acupuncture and relaxation techniques. Talk to the doctor as to which is the best fit among the treatment options of diabetic neuropathy.
Please visit these sites for more diabetes help:
Brief Biography: Dr. Guzman worked for the Atlantic Health Corporation and was consultant to St. Joseph's Hospital, Sussex Mental Health Clinic, and St. Stephen Mental Health Clinic for many years. He was Director of Forensic Psychiatry at Centracare for ten years and published numerous articles in the Journal of the American College of Forensic Psychiatry and other medical magazines.
Copyright c September 8, 2008 Roger Guzman, M.D.(Diabetic Neuropathy) All Rights Reserved. You may copy and publish this article as long as the text, the author's name, the active links and this notice remain the same.
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