One of the most common complications of diabetes is nerve damage, which is medically referred to as diabetic neuropathy. If you have type 1 and type 2 diabetes, you have a more than 50% chance of getting diabetic neuropathy Baltimore. The damage to your nerves occurs because of exposure to high blood sugar levels and a decrease in blood flow. Several studies also show that high blood sugar can damage the walls of blood vessels that supply your nerves with vital nutrients, including oxygen.
Consequently, below are a few things you should remember about diabetic neuropathy.
Signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy
There are different types of diabetic neuropathy, which will influence the kind of signs and symptoms you experience. Your body has various types of nerves that high blood sugar levels can damage.
Generally, common signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy may include pain, tingling muscle weakness, loss of feeling, and burning sensation. If the damage to nerves affects your eyes, you may have trouble seeing at night or adjusting to light changes.
Nerve damage may also affect your digestive system, leading to bloating, constipation, vomiting, and diarrhea. And if diabetic neuropathy occurs in your sweat glands, you may sweat profusely at night or after eating some particular foods like cheese.
Types of diabetic neuropathy
There are different types of diabetic neuropathy, including peripheral neuropathy, focal neuropathy, and proximal neuropathy.
For instance, proximal neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that is rare and has disabling effects. The nerve deterioration occurs in your hips, thighs, or buttocks. The damage to a nerve often affects only one side of the body but may also spread or radiate to another side.
Peripheral neuropathy, the most common diabetic neuropathy, often starts in your feet and legs before attacking your hands and arms.
Because the nerves running across your legs and hands are long, usually, if you have diabetic neuropathy, it means more nerves have been damaged. Nerve destruction in your legs can cause foot ulcers, infections, and deformities. Sometimes, your doctor may even recommend you undergo amputation to save your life.
Focal neuropathies damage single nerves, especially in your hand, head, torso, or leg.
Treatment of diabetic neuropathy
Your doctor may prescribe different medications for treating your nerve damage due to diabetes. Over-the-counter medicines include topical drugs and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). For instance, NSAIDs work to provide relief against inflammation and pain. That is possible by blocking the creation and release of chemicals that cause swelling and pain.
Your diabetic neuropathy specialist may also treat your condition by relying on treatments like injection therapy and acupuncture. You may also need to keep yourself physically active.
Prevention of diabetic neuropathy
You can prevent or delay damage to your nerves because of high blood sugar levels by adhering to regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting or avoiding intake of alcohol, stopping smoking, and eating healthily.
Moreover, maintain regular foot care, always check for signs and symptoms of nerve destruction, and go to your doctor for appointments.
Contact CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center today to learn more about how you can cope with diabetic neuropathy.