Last Updated on April 24, 2024
Diabetes can lead to serious health complications if not monitored, like amputation, blindness, or peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a common diabetes complication, impacting nearly 60% of all people with diabetes, but most do not understand everything they should about the disorder.
Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder typically brought on by diabetes that affects the nerve endings in arms hands, legs, and feet. Peripheral neuropathy can damage different types of nerves depending on which area is affected: motor, sensory, or autonomic. Autonomic neuropathy is the less common type and it affects the nerves that work with the heart, regulate blood pressure, and control glucose levels.
The disorder develops slowly and gets worse as times goes on. The longer that you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, the higher the chance you have to develop diabetic neuropathy. Anyone diagnosed with diabetes for 25 years or more is more likely to have complications related to neuropathy. Some research has shown that lifestyle choice like alcohol and smoking can make neuropathy worse.
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include several different things depending on the type of nerves that have been damaged. Symptoms could be anything from a burning or freezing feeling, sensitivity to touch, or a “pins and needles” feeling. For autonomic nerve damage, you could experience bladder dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, abnormal blood pressure and heart rate, or constipation.
The damage of nerves can cause significant problems in a person with diabetes’ life. Aside from the pain and discomfort, if peripheral neuropathy continues to get worse, a person may notice a cut, extreme heat or cold, or severe sore on their foot.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The best thing you can do to reduce the chance of having peripheral neuropathy is to strictly control your diabetes, but even those with excellent blood glucose levels can still be end up having peripheral neuropathy. Always be cautious of the feelings in your hands and feet.
If you think you could have diabetic peripheral neuropathy, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor and tell him/her your symptoms and your concern. Your doctor can then diagnose your condition based on symptoms and physical exam. The physician can also conduct several other tests: foot exam, nerve conduction studies or electromyography, or ultrasound.
If you’re suffering from the pain of neuropathy, ask your doctor for medication to reduce the effects. Simple medications like aspirin or ibuprofen typically will not help reduce the pain. A doctor could prescribe tricyclic antidepressants or other type of antidepressants to reduce pain and discomfort. While these antidepressants weren’t intended as treatments for neuropathy, they have been shown to have a positive impact on those suffering from it. In some cases your doctor may suggest using injection therapy, which involves using a nerve block in the area being affected.
If you are diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce your discomfort and its impact on your life. The most important is to keep your blood sugar levels as “normal” as possible. Spend time inspecting your feet every day for cuts or sores. Schedule a visit with your doctor once every year to prevent further complications.
