Type 2 Diabetes - What Is the Problem With Blood Sugar and Diabetic Neuropathy?

Prolonged exposure to high blood sugar levels results in nerve damage leading to the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy: a family of nerve disorders that causes symptoms of tingling, pain and numbness. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, sixty to seventy percent of people with diabetes end up having some degree of diabetic neuropathy.

A diabetic may develop neuropathies anytime in their lifetime. However, it was noted that people who have had Type 2 diabetes for more than twenty-five years have the highest rates of diabetic neuropathy. And it is also true that most people who have painful neuropathies don't even realize they may have Type 2 diabetes. Often they don't find out until they visit their doctor to find out the reason for the pains they are experiencing. It could start off simply as a tingle in your toes and then progress up your legs.

What causes diabetic neuropathy?

There are several reasons for nerve damage taking place. High blood sugar levels damage blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. The cells cannot live without oxygen so the neurons starve to death. Other factors such as:

abnormal levels of fat within the blood
blood vessel problems
autoimmune factors
excess weight
smoking, and
alcohol use

may also speed up the development of symptoms associated with neuropathy.

What are the most common symptoms?

Diabetic neuropathy results from nerve damage, therefore symptoms are usually seen in the nerves being affected by this problem. The most common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy includes:

tingling
muscle pain and weakness
numbness
burning pain
shooting pain
balance problems
loss of bladder control
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
frequent dizziness
impotence
vaginal dryness in women

What are the risk factors?

1. Poor blood sugar control: The MayoClinic.com considers poor blood sugar control as the top risk factor for neuropathy in diabetics. So, if you are a diabetic, you should always keep your blood sugar in check to prevent the possible onset of nerve damage.

2. The number of years of being a diabetic: The older you are, the more likely you are to develop nerve pain.

3. Kidney problems: Diabetes causes damage to the function of your kidneys. And once your kidneys begin malfunctioning, toxins may not be eliminated efficiently from your body resulting in further damage to your nerves.

4. Cigarette smoking: Smoking decreases the blood supply to your hands and feet by narrowing and hardening your blood vessel walls. With decreased blood supply to your extremities, poor wound healing and damage to your nerves usually follows.

How can diabetic neuropathy be treated?

According to Mayoclinic.com, there is no cure. The focus for the management of neuropathy is then to slow the progression of this problem. While lowering blood sugar levels will eventually help reduce your pain and may help to prevent the type of severe damage that will be irreversible, this will take time.

If you happen to have any of the above mentioned symptoms, visiting your doctor is the best option. A few simple blood tests could determine whether you have Type 2 diabetes, at which point you could then start to repair the nerves. The earlier your blood sugar level is controlled, the lesser will be the damage to your nerves.

To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments

Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.

Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2010 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Diabetic Complication Neuropathy - Diabetic Foot Problem Leading Cause

Diabetic neuropathy causes damage to the nerves, primarily affecting the legs and feet. This is a condition where the nerves are damaged due to consistent high blood sugar levels and is also seen in diabetics who show high levels of blood fat and high blood pressure, in overweight diabetics, and in diabetics over the age of 40. This condition can take on many different forms. It will affect more than half of the Americans who have diabetes today. The most typical kind is what is called peripheral neuropathy, which starts in the tip of the toes.

This problem is described by people who experience it as a loss of sensation that starts in the tips of their toes and gradually works its way up their legs. This type of complication is also one of the most common of all diabetic complications. Foot ulcers are possible results of this condition if left untreated. This condition can also result in infections and possibly if not treated, amputations. This medical problem can usually be controlled when treated with proper diet and medication, and is an example of why it is important for diabetics to pay extra attention to their feet. Pain, burning and tingling can often be lessened with drugs such as Lyrica and Cymbalta. Lyrica is a new medication that is said to work well on neuropathic pain. Lyrica works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause this pain. Cymbalta as an alternative is also approved to manage the pain from this condition.

Some possible side effects of Cymbalta are nausea, dizziness, constipation, decreased appetite, and muscle soreness or weakness. Stopping Cymbalta abruptly can also result in such problems as nausea or severe headaches. Talk with your doctor before stopping Cymbalta because your doctor will probably want to slowly wean you off Cymbalta to avoid these possible problems. Keeping ones blood glucose levels low and under control, sticking to a low fat diet, keeping your blood pressure under control and your weight where it should be through proper diet and exercise is the best way to keep this condition from popping up in your daily life.

Charles Sands

[http://www.diabeticdailylife.com]

I was 37 and weighed 235 lbs. I was heavily abusing alcohol in my life, yet still going to work everyday, paying my bills and living what I thought to be a rather normal life. Then, one day I called in sick to work because I thought I had the flu. It wasn't the flu. It was type 2 diabetes telling me I needed a serious lifestyle change. When you wake up in the hospital looking at the ventilator going up and down with a bunch of tubes all hooked up to you, you know your not having a very good day. Turns out my blood sugar was over 1900 and I had just came out of a 3 week diabetic coma. And to think all I thought I had was the flu and I was only there a couple of hours. That's how dangerous type 2 diabetes can be. Visit my website at the above link to learn how to change to a healthier lifestyle and maybe help turn around the direction of diabetes in America.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.