Overview
Diabetic neuropathy is a kind of nerve damage exclusive to those with diabetes. Nerves throughout the body are injured by high blood sugar, and it is most common in the lower extremities. There are many symptoms, depending on the type of diabetic neuropathy, and it can be very painful. It is a common complication of diabetes, but it can often be prevented or at least helped with proper blood sugar control in addition to healthy eating and exercise.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment options may include:
- Acupuncture
- Alpha-lipoic acid (can relieve nerve pain symptoms)
- AntidepressantsHaving patient closely monitor and live by Antiseizure drugs
- Capsaicin cream (can reduce pain sensations)
- Control blood pressure
- Digestive system monitoring
- Exercise
- Healthy diet and lifestyle
- Specific blood sugar levels
- Stop smoking
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS – Uses electrical impulses to prevent pain signals from reaching the brain)
- Urinary tract monitoring
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms include:
- Abdominal swelling
- Bladder issues
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Constipation
- Cramps
- Foot issues (ulcers, infections, and bone and joint pain)
- Gastroparesis
- Increased heart rate
- Increased or decreased sweating
- Increased sensitivity to touch
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Loss of reflexes
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness
- Partial facial paralysis
- Reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes
- Sharp pains
- Severe pain in the hips and lower extremities
- Sight issues (double vision, aching behind one eye, focusing issues)
- Tingling
- Weakened and shrinking thigh muscles
Weight loss
DIAGNOSIS / TESTS
Diagnostic tests include:
- Autonomic testing
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Filament test
- Medical history review
- Nerve conduction studies
- Physical exam
- Symptoms review
- Quantitative sensory testing
TYPES
Common forms include:
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Most common type of diabetic neuropathy
- Symptoms develop gradually
- First affects the feet and legs, then the hands and arms
- Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are usually worse at night
- Autonomic neuropathy
- Nerve damage in heart, stomach, bladder, intestines, eyes, and sex organs.
- Radiculoplexus neuropathy (a.k.a. diabetic amyotrophy, femoral neuropathy, or proximal neuropathy)
- Affects nerves in the hips and lower extremities
- More common in older adults and those with type 2 diabetes
- Symptoms are usually on one side of the body, but can spread to the side.
- Mononeuropathy (focal neuropathy)
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- Nerve damage to the face, torso, or lower extremities
- More common in older adults
- Pain occurs suddenly and sometimes severely
- Rarely causes long-term problems
- Symptoms most often disappear without treatment within a few weeks to a few months.
CAUSES
Causes & contributing factors may include:
- Drinking alcohol
- High blood sugar levels for long period of time
- High cholesterol levels
- Low levels of vitamin B-12
- Mechanical injuries (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Smoking
FACTS
- A diabetic can have more than one type of neuropathy.
- Almost 60% of diabetics have diabetic neuropathy.
- At least 20 million people in the US have peripheral neuropathy.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!
Contact our office to schedule an appointment.
OUR OFFICE:
The Pain Experts of Arizona
3370 South Mercy Road
Suite 321
Gilbert, AZ 85297
Phone: 480-550-9393
Fax: 480-999-3375