It is estimated that almost 60 percent of diabetics experience some form of diabetic neuropathy. What is diabetic neuropathy? This is a diabetic symptom that causes nerve damage in varying degrees. Though diabetic neuropathy is so common, the patient often neglects it, leading to many more complications later on.
Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy
- The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include numbness, prickling and tingling of the extremities, sometimes even severe cramping or burning of the limbs, making them very sensitive to as much as a feather touch! The symptoms of this disorder usually start with the feet or the legs and then may go on to affect the hands, arms and other body parts as well.
- This disorder sometimes causes a sense of lightheadedness that may even cause a person to trip and fall often.
- It can also cause alternate instances of diarrhea and constipation.
In some cases, men suffering from this disorder can experience a decrease in libido and failure to achieve erection.
The dicey thing about these symptoms is that the patient sometimes never feels the sensitivity deteriorating and numbness setting in, till it is too late. At other times, the disorder may cause pain and insensitivity from time to time, in the affected organs.
Causes of diabetic neuropathy
The exact causes of this disorder are not known, though research is in progress. Scientists believe that this could be the result of reduced oxygen supply in the nerves, resulting from small blood vessel damage or due to several chemical changes taking place in the body, thanks to the disorder!
Nerve damage occurs when the glucose present in the body attaches itself to the proteins and changes their structure and functions, thus inhibiting the normal blood vessel or vascular functions. Men experience diabetic neuropathy more commonly than women.
Ways to avoid this disorder
- Always keep your blood sugar levels under control.
- Also keep a check on your weight and consume a healthy diet.
- Avoid foods that are fatty and high in carbohydrates.
- Keep up your exercise schedule.
- Be strict about your medication schedule.
- Visit your doctor regularly and take regular checkups as well.
Consequences of diabetic neuropathy
If diabetic neuropathy were to cause damage to the nerves in your hands and feet, you might feel intense pain therein. Conversely, you could also end up having no feeling at all at other times. These should be useful signals for you to suspect the start of the disorder. If left unattended, the skin around your feet could crack and develop into sores. To make it worse, you could be injured in your legs and never know.
Taking care of the feet during diabetic neuropathy
Since diabetic neuropathy predominantly affects the feet, do take care to avoid any injury to them by protecting them always. Keep them clean and dry at all times. Also, make sure to get regular checkups done on your feet to ensure that you are free of trouble.
In case of even the slightest doubt regarding this particular diabetic symptom, visit your doctor and do pay heed to his advice.
Gary Sanders is an expert on diabetic symptoms and a diabetes sufferer. He has dedicated the last decade of his life to mastering every aspect of diabetes including nutrition, symptoms of diabetes, diagnosis, and prevention. He has created an award winning Diabetes Symptoms Guide available at his website. Jump in and get it today!
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