60-70 percent people suffering from diabetes for a period of 25 years or more have diabetic neuropathy. It is the technical name given to the nerve damage caused by diabetes to every organ in our body. This article tries to gain further insight on this topic.
Symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Impotence
- Bladder infection
- Abnormal sensations
- Diabetic gastroparesis
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Vomiting
- Problems with urination
- Weakness
- Wasting of muscles of hands and feet
- Depression
Causes:
Life Style Factors: Smoking and alcohol consumption increase the progression of the condition.
Mechanical Injury: Traumatic conditions involving damage to the nerves like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Genes: When the disease is inherited, the chances of nerve damage are higher.
Autoimmune Factors: They are unknown reasons which cause swelling of the nerves.
Metabolic Factors: Abnormal fat levels, high glucose levels, low insulin levels in the blood and long duration of the disease.
The mechanism of how exposure to high blood sugar levels causes nerve damage is still studied by researchers.
Types of Diabetic Neuropathy and the Affected Locations in the Body:
Peripheral Neuropathy: Hands, arms, toes, feet and legs.
Autonomic Neuropathy: Eyes, lungs, heart, blood vessels, digestive system, urinary tract, sex organs, sweat glands.
Proximal Neuropathy: Hips, thighs, buttocks, legs.
Focal Neuropathy: Thighs, feet, legs, lower back, pelvis, abdomen, chest, ears, facial muscles and eyes.
Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy Complications: The best way to prevent the onset of this condition is to maintain a low blood sugar level or at least keep it in check. Some of the treatment options to deal with the complications are:
Pain Relief: Oral medications are prescribed by the doctor to relief the pain. Some of these medications are antidepressants like imipramine, desipramine, amitriptyline, venlafaxine, duloxetine, paroxetine, citalopram and bupropion. Anticonvulsants like pregabalin, lamotrigine, gabapentin and carbamazepine are also prescribed. However, the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved only duloxetine and pregabalin as medicines to treat this condition.
Physical therapy, biofeedback, acupuncture, laser or light therapy, magnetic therapy and electrical nerve stimulation are some of the alternative treatment options to relieve pain.
Gastrointestinal Problems: Indigestion, belching, vomiting or nausea are the mild symptoms of this condition. Small and frequent meals are advised by the doctors to treat it. As severity increases, medicines like erythromycin and metoclopramide to speed up digestion and secretion of stomach acids.
Dizziness: Intake of salt in the diet is opted by few. Sitting or standing slowly is practiced by many to counter circulation and blood pressure problems. Wearing elastic stockings and raising the head of the bed is found to be beneficial by many.
Foot Care: Feet nerves are the worst affected parts of the body by this condition. Diabetic neuropathy causes 86,000 amputations every year in the lower limb area in this country. This calls for their special attention and care of feet. Sensation is lost easily in this region and this makes any infection or sore go unnoticed initially until it leads to infection. Foot ulcers also result due to impaired circulation of blood in the region. Some of the tips to follow to ensure foot care are:
- Use mild soap and warm water to clean the feet daily. Soft towel should be used to dry it especially between the toes.
- Moisturizing lotion can be used but should not be applied between the toes.
- Any swelling, cuts, blisters, calluses or redness should be informed to the doctor immediately.
- An emery board can be used to file toenails and pumice stone can be used to file corns and calluses.
- Thick, seamless and soft socks with slippers or shoes can prevent feet injuries.
- Inspection of the shoes before wearing them for any tears or sharp edges is a good practice.
- New shoes should be selected in such a way that they fit well and allow the toes to move comfortably.
- They should be tried in breaks wearing for only an hour at a time.
