Diabetic Neuropathy - Nerve Damage From High Blood Sugars

A diagnosis of diabetes is not a guaranteed precursor towards the eventual complications of nerve damage on the hands or more frequently the feet of every individual. A careful diet now and a minimum of exercise daily can actually ward off most of the complications possible with this debilitating condition.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy, or nerve damage, is your body's way of telling you your blood sugars have been consistently running too high. Normally, after about three to five years post diagnosis and with consistent out of control blood sugars, the nerves running towards your hands or feet are susceptible to damage. Common symptoms reported are:

increased swelling and bloating in the wrists, legs, ankles and feet
a "pins and needles" prickling sensation or burning pain
ulcers, blisters or cuts will be very slow to heal
cuts and scrapes will rapidly downgrade to serious infections or open-sore wounds

Three Types Of Neuropathy

Different people... different forms at diagnosis for this condition. Some people may also notice they seem to have a combination of two of the forms of neuropathy. Whichever type, the symptoms need to be slowed down and reversed to halt the progression of this disease. Good diabetic care in the early stages can lead to a reversal of complications.

Autonomic Neuropathy affects any combination of nerves which control the body's involuntary functions. Some examples of this includes the bladder (urine control), the stomach and digestion of your foods, the sex organs or your heart and lung functions. Any of these, plus more, can lose their ability to perform their expected daily functions.

Motor Neuropathy is the most unusual type of diagnosis in diabetes. This patient will slowly notice a diminishing ability to control their muscle functions. You could lose your ability to walk, talk, move your hands or feet etc... Any body part reliant on the muscle groups for operation is in danger of losing all or part of its motor control.

Sensory Neuropathy is the most common in diagnosis. Many doctors commonly refer to this one as peripheral neuropathy. This is a slow gradual progression in loss of feeling along the nerve pathways from your brain to your hands and feet. Initial symptoms of pain, numbness and tingling leads to an eventual loss in your ability to differentiate heat and cold. By this stage, frostbite or heatstroke is an immediate concern. The patient's sensory perception in the affected body limb has been entirely lost. Stubbing your toe on a bedpost, getting a cut or scrape or even an accidental stepping on a bed of tacks or nails will be of no consequence because the patient could feel nothing.

The importance of differentiating your type of neuropathy can forestall dead and diseased cells from turning gangrenous which ultimately leads to an amputation. The necessity to halt the spread of poisonous toxins flowing all through your blood stream is urgent. Without this, it can lead to even bigger and harder problems to eliminate. Work with your doctor, determine your type and severity, then start implementing a good treatment program to safeguard your future.

The longer you wait, the worse the symptoms will get. Early treatment often can reduce or even reverse many of the difficulties of diabetic neuropathy. Do not assume, as many people commonly do, time and patience will give your body time to start feeling better. An immediate conference is needed with your doctor to set in motion an important therapy schedule to prevent the onslaught of any ever-escalating symptoms.

Kathi Robinson
The doctor has already mentioned neuropathy as your problem? Learn how to control and hopefully reduce your symptoms now for better future health at http://www.allergy-and-diabetic-health.com/neurological-symptoms-of-diabetes.html.

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