What is diabetic neuropathy?

Over time, the uncontrolled high blood glucose levels of diabetes can cause neuropathy injury to the nerves by directly damaging nerves or by damaging the small blood vessels that supply the nerves. Peripheral neuropathy can often be one of the first symptoms of diabetes. An estimated 7.5% of diabetics have some form of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy by the time their diabetes is first diagnosed. After twenty-five years with diabetes, almost one-half of diabetic patients, even those who are non-insulin dependent, experience peripheral neuropathy.

The fortunate, but rare patient will have no symptoms. Most patients experience loss of feeling or movement in the affected area, or tingling, burning and pain. Symptoms are generally worse at night, and when the patient is under stress. Symptoms may develop slowly or appear suddenly, and disappear just as quickly.

While medical personnel tend to think of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy as limited to the feet and lower legs, about 30 percent of diabetic patients develop carpal tunnel syndrome in one or both hands.

Controlling blood glucose levels is he best way to prevent and to treat neuropathy. Glycemic control may not reverse numbness, tingling, or pain, but can slow or stop additional nerve damage. Effective control of the blood sugar level can also bring dramatic pain relief in many diabetic patients.

Diagnostic tests include nerve and vascular studies, and such low-tech tests as using a tuning fork to measures the patient's ability to feel vibration when touched to the foot. Touching the foot with items such as a pin, a cotton ball or a tissue also detect early signs of nerve damage.

The treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy pain involves an interdisciplinary approach. Cognitive and behavioral approaches, as well as physical therapy and analgesics are the common therapeutic interventions. Until recently, there were no drugs approved for the treatment of neuropathy. Lyrica (Pregabalin) is approved by the FDA for treatment of the pain associated with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. The pain-relieving effect of adjuvant analgesics is often ineffective in relieving the pain of neuropathy.

For some patients, a Lidocaine patch relieves localized foot pain associated with wounds such as diabetic ulcers. Occasionally, the oatch can relieve the pain of neuropathy as well. Liodaine gel patches can be applied to either side of the Achilles tendon as an effective analgesic. As with any patch, the person applying the patch should wear gloves to handle it, apply it to clean, dry, unbroken skin. Covering the patch with a hand, and applying gentle pressure to warm it for 1 minute will improve its adhesion. The patient should avoid using a heating pad or ice near the patches because both will change the absorption rate of the medication.

The damage caused by Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is often not reversible, but symptoms may be preventable and treatable with control of blood sugar.

Learn more about this author, Joyce Good Henderson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about What is diabetic neuropathy??
We want to hear your view. Write now!