can neuropathy be reversed-diabetes and neuropathy: types, symptoms and treatment.

Everyone has heard of diabetes. But how much do you really know? can neuropathy be reversed Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a type of metabolic disorder characterized by prolonged periods of high blood sugar levels. Diabetes mellitus is a varied condition that damages many organ systems and affects approximately 415 million people worldwide.

Types of diabetes mellitus

Diabetes is of three main types:

Type1: this is also known as juvenile diabetes and is a result of insufficient insulin production by the pancreas.

Type2: accounting for about 90% of all cases of diabetes, type II diabetes mellitus is defined by insulin resistance which means that insulin receptors on cells do not respond to insulin.

Gestational diabetes: this is seen in pregnant women who do not have a prior diagnosis of diabetes. It is theorized that gestational diabetes is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy.

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy refers to a condition in which there is damage or disease affecting the nerves. Nerves control both the movement and sensation, so depending on the type of nerve affected like motor, sensory or mixed, there can a number of varied signs and symptoms such as weakness, numbness, tingling sensation etc. it can affect a single nerve or many nerves simultaneously and it can be a chronic or acute condition.

How is neuropathy related to diabetes?

It may seem far-fetched that diabetes can affect nerves but this is one of the most common and most debilitating complications of diabetes. It is theorized that diabetes causes damage to nerves by altering the function of the small blood vessels that supply the nerves.

The excessively high levels of glucose in the blood are thought to cause damage to the covering of the nerves. This covering called the myelin sheath helps in the conduction of impulses along nerve cell and from one nerve cell to another.

Damage to the myelin sheath results in reduced or slowed conduction of impulses in the nerves which give rise to the various symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. It can affect any nerves: motor, sensory or mixed. Usually diabetic neuropathy first starts in the feet and then progresses to other regions of the body.

Signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy

Signs and symptoms depend on the particular nerves that are affected, their location, and their functions.

Common symptoms are:

·       Numbness, especially in the extremities like hands and feet.

·       Tingling sensations

·       Burning or freezing sensations

·       Shooting pain

·       Loss of muscle mass and tone in the small muscles of the hand and feet.

·       Imbalance

·       Random muscle contractions

·       Dizziness

·       Increased sweating

·       Urinary problems

·       Sexual dysfunction

How is diabetic neuropathy diagnosed?

It is diagnosed by a doctor based on physical examination, patient reporting of symptoms, and physiological tests such as a nerve conduction test. Nerve conduction tests are a type of neurophysiologic testing that involves passing amounts of current through major peripheral nerves to access their function.

Treatment for diabetic neuropathy

 The primary treatment is regaining and maintaining control of blood glucose levels. Treatment of diabetic neuropathy aims to prevent further nerve damage, restore as much nerve function as possible, and relive the signs and symptoms associated with this condition.

Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, maintaining a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and taking the appropriate medications are vital to controlling diabetes and diabetic neuropathy.

You may also be given medications to help you cope with the pain of diabetic neuropathy, as well as medications to encourage nerve and myelin sheath repair. It is important to be vigilant and proactive about foot care.

Anyone with diabetes or diabetic neuropathy should routinely examine their feet for any wounds or injuries. Early detection and treatment of foot problems in people with diabetes can prevent life-altering and devastating consequences.

It is often serious and painful condition that can affect anyone with diabetes and can affect any nerve in the body. To prevent or reduce your chances of developing diabetic neuropathy, it is essential to keep your diabetes under control and your blood sugar levels stable and within the normal range.

The prognosis of normal treatment depends largely on control of underlying diabetes. With advances in modern medicine and on-going clinical trials, we are moving closer towards normal treatments and maybe even a permanent solution for diabetic neuropathy.

If you are reading this, no doubt you understand how difficult and frustrating a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy can be. You probably know that many times it is impossible to identify precisely what causes a patient’s peripheral neuropathy. The same is true for many forms of chronic pain.

You should know that is very frustrating for your clinicians as well. One of the things that are the most frustrating for patients and clinicians alike is searching for a precise answer where none is liable to be found.

Unfortunately, many cases of peripheral neuropathy are just like this. So what happens is, both patients and clinicians will delay treating the patient. Now, sometimes this is a good idea-especially when it involves strong medications with powerful side effects and/or invasive tests or procedures.

But what also happens is, while searching for a precise answer or neuropathy treatment plan, constructive changes such as changes in health and behavior are neglected, and our patients suffering continues.

A better solution is to vow to do everything you possibly can to improve the quality of your health and well-being immediately. What we do know is that our behaviors have a profound impact upon the outcome of any disease, trauma or health condition.

For example: could you become a little more fit, starting today? Are there other habits you have, like smoking cigarettes, or consuming too much alcohol, that you should change immediately?

These could make a profound difference in how you feel a month from now. If you are like most neuropathy patients, the answer is a resounding yes! So, while it’s wonderful to have an accurate diagnosis, and all the answers, too often, when dealing with neuropathy treatment, this is not possible.

This is why becoming more involved with your own health conditions goes a long way towards speeding you on your path back to health. But where do you begin? This is always the first question that patients pose.

The answer is, start with a list of things you could be doing different right now. A dedicated neuropathy treatment list will help your neuropathy treatment professionals go a long way towards improving the quality of your life, beginning today!

In this day and age, it is not all uncommon to find patients who know more about an underlying condition than some physicians and therapists. In reality, this is a tremendous opportunity for you or a loved one with peripheral neuropathy who are seeking help.

So don’t add neuropathy analysis paralysis to your list of maladies. Instead, vow to take daily positive actions, however small they may seem. Can neuropathy be reversed You will be happy that you did.