The Best Treatment for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetes affects many parts of the body. From its starting point in blocking the body's ability to break down sugars in the blood, it spreads. The weakening and narrowing of artery and blood vessel walls is one of the more troublesome symptoms of the disease. Problems with peripheral neuropathy can be treated through a series of measures that allow the diabetic patient to live a full life.

Controlling Blood Sugar

• The best way to minimize the damage that poor circulation to the extremities can cause is to control blood sugar levels. Dietary measures, medicines, physical activity and constant monitoring of the blood sugar all need to be taken into consideration. Controlling blood sugar will help combat future complications.

Pain Relief

• Peripheral neuropathy can cause quite a bit of pain in the extremities. Once the blood sugar is under control, relief for the pain is the next logical obstacle. There are several types of medications that can be used to try to relieve nerve pain including antidepressants, anticonvulsants and opiate-based products. There are also other methods that can be used to minimize pain such as special bed sheets, acupuncture and physical therapy.

Acupuncture and Physical Therapy

• Acupuncture and physical therapy both approach the problems of nerve pain in a different way, but they both have the same goal--to increase the ability of the circulatory system. Acupuncturists insert long needles in key points on the body to increase circulation. Physical therapists use deep muscle massage and specific exercises of the extremity to help increase circulation in the area and relieve pain.

Monitor the Feet

• Feet are often the primary target of diabetes complications. Because of this, once the general problems associated with peripheral neuropathy have been treated (damage control through blood glucose levels and pain relief through medication and therapy), the focus should naturally focus on the feet. The nerves in the feet are the longest in the body and are particularly subject to complications developing from neuropathy. Staying on top of cuts and abrasions to the feet is vital to ensuring that the feet don't become infected, resulting in possible amputation. The best course of action is to inspect the feet daily and keep them clean and dry through daily washing.