{"id":7188,"date":"2019-07-05T09:23:23","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T09:23:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=7188"},"modified":"2021-06-12T15:57:53","modified_gmt":"2021-06-12T15:57:53","slug":"14-things-you-should-keep-in-mind-about-diabetic-neuropathy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-things-you-should-keep-in-mind-about-diabetic-neuropathy\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Things You Should Keep in Mind About Diabetic Neuropathy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Below is a list of 8 things you should keep in mind about the condition known as diabetic neuropathy. This information is intended for advice only and should not be used to inform any kind of lifestyle changes or choices, nor should it be a reason to tweak treatment plans or medication in the treatment of diabetes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The information can be useful for diabetes patients themselves, as well as for the families for people living with diabetes and for those who have an interest in learning a little bit about how the human body operates when it is affected by changes in blood sugar, especially when those types of conditions move on to someone developing neuropathic issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the very least, a person looking for information about diabetic neuropathy could do a lot worse than starting with this article and sifting through the bits and pieces in an attempt to learn as much as they can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Diagnosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A doctor is usually able to diagnose diabetic neuropathy<\/a> through performing a thorough physical exam and after carefully reviewing your symptoms and reflecting on any medical history. A good doctor will always check your overall muscle tone and actual strength, as well as your tendon reflexes and any sensitivity to touch and vibration you might be experiencing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At each visit to the doctor, the doctor should check your feet for any new sores, the development of cracked skin or any blisters. In addition to the physical exam, a doctor or diabetes nurse may decide to perform certain tests that can help to diagnose diabetic neuropathy such as the filament test, or quantitative sensory testing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may also opt to try out nerve conduction studies or electromyography in the quest for a correct diagnosis. If you are at all unhappy or dissatisfied with your diagnosis, it is always a good idea to keep on pressing the doctor for more tests, to be on the safe side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately for those affected by the condition, diabetic neuropathy has no known cure available. The overarching goals and aims of any treatment <\/a>method are to slow down the rampant progression and unchecked procession of the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stopping it in its tracks is possible, but reversing it can be more difficult. Another main aim is to relieve the pain, whilst managing any complications and helping to restore proper function. Ultimately, anything that slows down the progression of the disease is what patients are after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It almost goes without saying that trying to keep your blood sugar levels within a certain range is going to be useful in limiting nerve damage. It is even possible that this management could actually improve some of a person\u2019s existing symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any diabetic doctor or healthcare professional will be able to work out what the optimum range is for you on a personalized basis. Don\u2019t accept anything less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Relieving pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a range of over the counter or prescription medications that are widely available for the treatment of any kind of diabetes<\/a>-related nerve pain, however not all of these options work for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Side effects from these types of medications are fairly common and are always a possible complication that patients could face. When contemplating the start of any new medication, it is extremely important to talk to your doctor about what this change in treatment can do for you and if there are any potential negatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The types of pain-relieving prescription treatments available to someone may include things like anti-seizure drugs, antidepressants, and tricyclics which include things like amitriptyline. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are times when a particular antidepressant can be combined with an anti-seizure drug or pain-relieving medication, but once again, it is always vitally important to ensure that the advice of a doctor is sought and listened to. Don\u2019t ignore good advice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Managing complications and restoring function<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any diabetes health care team worth their salt will always try to incorporate and include a range of different specialists, which may include doctors that specialize in the treatment of urinary tract<\/a> problems and cardiologists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The type of treatment very much depends on the neuropathy-related complication that a person has. Some people may be affected by urinary tract problems. Certain medications used to treat these can cause interference with a person\u2019s bladder function, leading to their doctor making a suggestion for that person to change medications or to stop them altogether. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person with digestive problems might try to relieve mild symptoms of indigestion or vomiting by eating much smaller meals on a much more frequent basis. As mentioned before though, not all of these things will work for everyone suffering from diabetic neuropathy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It all comes down to managing complications and restoring function, but it has to focus on people as individuals, as opposed to groups of people<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Clinical trials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Clinical trials<\/a> for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy are difficult to get a handle on for a number of reasons. The treatment of diabetic neuropathy has to be administered on a person by person approach and with a highly personalized and individualized approach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where clinical trials differ, as it would be impossible to undertake trials that benefited the millions of people affected by diabetic neuropathy all over the world, obviously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this in mind, it is advisable that people suffering from diabetic neuropathy dip in and out of the findings of the various clinical trials that have been undertaken with a view to taking little bits from one and little bits from another in an attempt to build their own highly differentiated treatment options and symptom management. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clinical trials have to be focussed on a one size fits all approach, as they cater to a wide range of people, but the treatment of diabetic neuropathy has to be person-centered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.     Lifestyle and home remedies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are some measures that a person can take which can help them feel better overall whilst even reducing their risk of developing diabetic neuropathy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping your blood pressure<\/a> under careful control with the use of technology is a good idea as it is well known that people with diabetes are far more likely to find themselves afflicted with high blood pressure than the majority of other people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having the two things, high blood pressure and diabetes together hugely boosts a person’s risk of developing and experiencing complications due to damage to their blood vessels and reductions in their blood flow. It is so important to keep your blood pressure within the recommended range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making healthy food choices is an incredibly effective lifestyle choice that reduces a person\u2019s risk of developing diabetic neuropathy. Trying to keep as active as possible is a good idea and stopping smoking as early as possible is an obvious improvement that someone can make to their lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Alternative medicine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whilst seeing a doctor regularly is important, it is also a good idea to experiment with a wide range of alternative therapies that are available. These alternative medicines include things like capsaicin cream, which can be applied to the skin in an attempt to reduce pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potential side effects include irritation and a burning sensation. The use of powerful antioxidants <\/a>can help with relieving nerve pain symptoms in some people, but again this varies from person to person and from case to case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some doctors may recommend TENS therapy as this therapy can help to prevent pain signals from even reaching your brain. It is important to remember that therapies like this don\u2019t always work for everyone, but they have to be worth a try. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another form of alternative medicine that someone might choose to experiment with is acupuncture, as this can help relieve pain and usually doesn\u2019t cause any side effects. It feels good too, in a strange way!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Coping and support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with diabetic neuropathy on a daily basis can be a very difficult and draining thing, causing great frustration for the people who are directly affected and those around them as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If ever a person finds themselves feeling depressed<\/a>, it is always a good idea for them to seek the help and support of someone, as bottling things up can make things seem much worse than they actually are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support groups can be a great place where encouragement and advice are found in plentiful supply, helping people living with diabetic neuropathy to reach out, share experiences and to find strength and support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This list of 8 things that you should keep in mind about diabetic neuropathy is not exhaustive by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a very useful starting point for people looking to broaden their understanding of the condition. Read it, absorb it, understand it and share it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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