What Are the Treatments for Diabetic Neuropothy?

Neuropathy is a condition caused by damage to your nerves, the fibers that transmit messages from your brain and spinal cord to your limbs and organs. Approximately 60 to 70 percent of patients with diabetes develop some type of neuropathy due to damage caused by high blood sugar levels, reports the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.

Background

• Unfortunately, there is no way to reverse the nerve damage common in diabetic neuropathy; instead, the aim of treatment is to prevent the disease progression and decrease the severity of nerve pain and other symptoms.

Identification

• Medications used to treat diabetic neuropathy include anti-seizure drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, topical anesthetics and narcotic pain relievers. Non-medicinal treatments include electrical stimulation of your nerves, biofeedback and acupuncture, but these treatments do not work for all patients, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Types of Medications

• Anti-seizure drugs used to treat diabetic neuropathy include gabapentin and pregabalin, while some tricyclic antidepressants are amitriptyline and nortriptyline. Lidocaine and capsaicin are two common topical anesthetics, while some narcotics used for neuropathy are codeine and oxycodone.

Risks

• Side effects of the medications used to treat diabetic neuropathy include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision and constipation. Narcotic pain relievers lead to addiction in some patients, while tricyclic antidepressants increase your risk of having a heart attack, warns the Mayo Clinic.

Considerations

• One of the most important treatments for diabetic neuropathy is controlling your blood sugar levels to limit the progression of the disease. This is done through insulin or oral diabetes medications, following a dietary plan developed by dietitian and getting regular exercise.