Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment

If you are suffering from diabetes you will be familiar with the nerve pain called neuropathy. If you have experienced this pain then neuropathy treatment is vital. Neuropathy typically occurs over time and has been found to be due to prolonged high blood sugar levels, typically five years or more. There are other factors that can cause neuropathy but if you have been diagnosed with diabetes this may be the ultimate cause.

Some symptoms of neuropathy are obvious, such as pain in your extremities, most likely your feet. However, there are more subtle signs you may want to be aware of and treat. Such signs include tingling, numbness, erectile dysfunction and even diarrhea. How do you prevent neuropathy or treat the neuropathy you have? The best way to treat neuropathy is through blood sugar control.

Here are the most effective steps to take:

1. Monitor you glucose levels regularly. Commit to the amount of times your physician has recommended and keep a log of your levels throughout the day.

2. Eat right. A diet that helps alleviate nerve pain is basically no different from a good, healthy, balanced diet. A balanced diet outlines what you should eat, when you should eat, how much you should eat, and also allows for healthy snacks. Understandably, it's not always easy to watch everything you eat. Just remember that every bite counts when it comes to good glucose control.

3. Exercise regularly. The ultimate goal is to do some form of exercise for 20-40 minutes daily. Exercise is essential to lowering your blood sugar levels, so it is an indirect way to lessen complications such as neuropathy. Simple things like parking farther away from the door to the grocery store than normal or using stairs instead of an elevator can make a lot of difference.

If you have nerve pain there are several options available for neuropathy treatment, depending on the severity of your condition and your symptoms.

Here are some options:

• Warm baths and frequent walks can alleviate nerve pain for some people. Talk with your physician to see if this would help. In some cases people who have open sores or cuts on their feet may not be able to walk frequently.

• Talk to your physician about pain medication. Currently Cymbalta and Lyrica are the only approved medications for diabetic neuropathy however there are a variety of topical creams as well as over the counter pain medications that may be able to help.

• Acupuncture has been known to alleviate some pain associated with neuropathy

• Vitamin B-12 can work however you must take it in limited doses as it can cause its own neuropathies.

Once you have your neuropathy under control there are ways to control further damage to your nerves. These methods include:

• Keeping your blood sugar levels under control and avoiding large swings in glucose levels

• Eat a healthy balanced diet

• Regular exercise

• Take care of your feet as this is the most common spot for nerve damage

Julia L Hanf is a proud contributing author and writes articles about Neuropathy and its complications. Neuropathy is not to be taken lightly, it is an awful condition that affects thousands of people every year. You can lower your risk of Neuropathy by keeping your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels close to the target numbers.

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