Diabetic Neuropathy, A Burden No One Has to Go Through

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:

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes Leg Pain

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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Diabetic Neuropathy - Treatment Programs Through Alternative Medicine

Diabetic neuropathy is a common complaint by up to 60% of the diagnosed diabetics. Although there is many types of neuropathy common between different medical conditions, the diabetic customarily is plagued by symptoms centered around the extremities, either the hands and arms or the feet and legs.

Common reported symptoms do include:

A tingling or burning feeling
Numbness
Pain which can be a dull steady ache up to sharp, piercing pain with muscle weakness in the extremities

Control Methods For Diabetic Neuropathy

Preventing or just reversing diabetic neuropathy through the use of alternative therapies often offers satisfactory results. Dietary and lifestyle changes though are required to offset the destruction of the nerves.

First, your doctor is going to request the elimination of the following from your daily routine:

Eliminate the use of all alcohol and tobacco products
Eliminate all fast foods, pre-packaged foods and processed foods
Eliminate all sugary sweets, sodas and junk foods
Double-check all labels when shopping and avoid all GMO foods and conventionally grown fruits and produce. Switch to all organics to reduce your toxicity levels of herbicides, chemicals and pesticides.
Eliminate all products with hydrogenated oils, partially hydrogenated oils and trans fats on the ingredient label
Eliminate artificial sweeteners (aspartame) and any product with added MSG (monosodium glutamate)

Now for you new program you will be asked to add these items for your protection and relief of diabetic neuropathy.

Light exercise such as walking, exercise bike, swimming, and dancing
Herbal medications and supplements will be used, commonly alpha lipoic acid, evening primrose oil plus others
Start using a cream or ointment which has cayenne pepper as one of its major ingredients
Massage therapy and acupuncture may be utilized under the direction of a qualified practitioner

Remember though, the changes in your diet are the single most crucial therapy change you can make to reverse the course of diabetic neuropathy. Being more careful about what you do or do not eat will be the deciding factor in whether your condition improves or whether you continue on a downward spiral.

Kathi Robinson
Learning the hard way not to accept every word a doctor tells you is part of life. Do not allow yourself to stop asking questions and just accept the outcome they give you. For information on what I have learned on the way please visit my site at http://www.allergy-and-diabetic-health.com/.

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