Treatment for Chronic Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of diabetes. It occurs when various nerve fibers in the body become damaged by excess glucose in the blood. Diabetic neuropathy most commonly affects the feet and legs. Diabetic neuropathy causes pain and numbness in the affected areas. Pain symptoms may range from mild to disabling. Diabetic neuropathy treatment aims to slow the disease's progression, alleviate pain, restore normal function and manage complications that arise.

Treatments That Slow the Progression of Diabetic Neuropathy

• The most important factor in slowing the progression of diabetic neuropathy is controlling blood glucose levels consistently. Blood glucose levels should be between 90 and 130 mg/dl before eating and less than 180 mg/dl 2 hours after eating.

  Individuals with diabetic neuropathy can help slow the progression of nerve damage by practicing appropriate foot care, managing blood pressure, exercising regularly and by avoiding both tobacco smoke and alcohol.

Treatments for Diabetic Neuropathy Pain

• Most commonly, patients use medications to control pain symptoms. Patients will likely have to try different medications and/or combinations of medications to find the best drug for controlling pain. Some medications that have been shown effective in relieving diabetic neuropathy pain are lidocaine patches, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, topical capsaicin creams and pain medications such as codeine or oxycodone.

  Other possible treatments for diabetic neuropathy pain include trancutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, which may block pain signals from getting to the brain. In addition, biofeedback, hypnosis, relaxation techniques and acupuncture may be helpful for some.

Treating Complications

• Some complications of diabetic neuropathy include sexual dysfunction, urinary tract issues and orthostatic hypertension.

  Sexual dysfunction may be treated with medications such Viagra for men. Women may use estrogen creams and lubricants to treat female sexual dysfunction.

  The most common urinary tract problem associated with diabetic neuropathy is incontinence. Incontinence may be treated with medications that prevent bladder spasms and implanted devices that prevent the leakage of urine.

  Orthostatic hypertension is a condition that causes blood pressure to suddenly drop upon standing. Medications such as fludrocortisone may be prescribed to prevent this condition by increasing blood volume in an effort to raise blood pressure.