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Diabetes & Nerve Pain

According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), approximately 70 percent of diabetics suffer from nerve pain. Over time, diabetics develop nerve damage. This nerve damage in diabetics is caused by a group of disorders called diabetic neuropathies. Individuals can have no symptoms. However, diabetics can suffer from numbness, tingling or pain in the hands, feet, legs and arms. Pain can even cause problems in the organs like the heart, digestive tract and sex organs.

  1. Types

    • With focal neuropathy, any organ can be affected. It appears suddenly and can affect one specific nerve or a group of them. Focal neuropathy usually affects older adults. The pain is not long term, but can last weeks or months. Peripheral neuropathy affects the legs and arms, but can be felt in feet, legs and toes first. With autonomic neuropathy, nerves that regulate blood pressure and blood glucose levels are affected. Damage can also affect the body's ability to tell when hypoglycemia is happening. Poximal Neuropathy is common in older individuals and those with type 2 diabetes. It usually occurs on one side of the body. Weakness and pain can travel from the hip to the leg. Recovery can depend on the nerve damage.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of diabetic neuropathies depend on the specific neuropathic disorder. For instance, focal neuropathy can affect nine areas of the body including the eyes, ears, chest, thighs and facial muscles. However, symptoms can include weakness, tingling or pain in the toes, legs, feet, hands, arms and fingers. Muscles in the hands and feet to waste away, fainting or dizziness because of drop in blood pressure and vomiting are also symptoms associated with the diabetic neuropathies.

    Causes

    • Although the causes of specific diabetic neuropathies can vary, nerve damage is caused by a combination of aspects. For instance, prolonged high blood glucose levels, alcohol and smoking use and autoimmune issues that inflame the nerves. Also, carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve injuries can cause diabetic neuropathy.

    Treatments

    • If blood sugars are high, doctors' first treatment is to move levels into normal range. They can prescribe diabetes medicines, such as insulin, exercise and meal plans to lower glucose levels. However, if the pain does not subside, doctors can treat diabetic neuropathies with oral medications or physical therapy.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Diabetic neuropathies can be prevented by maintaining blood glucose levels that are close to normal as possible. Individuals who have diabetes for 25 years or more have an increased risk of suffering from diabetic neuropathies. So, people in this group should make sure your A1c levels are as normal as possible. This can help prevent the onset of the disorders. Doctors can test your A1c levels every two to three months. Losing weight can help prevent diabetic neuropathies too.

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