Diabetic Neuropathy Prevention

  • Diabetic Neuropathy
    Diabetic Neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. It can affect different parts of the body. This damage to nerves is called diabetic neuropathy. 
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 14 November 2015

There's a lot you can do to prevent or delay nerve damage. And, if you already have diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), these steps can prevent or delay further damage and may lessen your symptoms. 

The most important thing is to keep blood sugar levels under control:

Healthy planned diet, physical activity and medications, if prescribed, can help you reach your target range.

  • Use a blood glucose meter to check your daily levels.
  • Get an A1C test (a lab test) at least twice a year to find out your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months. This will tell you whether your diabetes care plan needs changes.

Report symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. If you have problems, get treatment right away. Early treatment can help prevent more problems later on. For example, if you take care of a foot infection early, it can help prevent amputation. Read more in our Foot Ulcers section.

Be careful with exercising. Some physical activities are not safe for people with neuropathy. 

Community
Diabetes
Condition
Diabetic Neuropathy
Changed
Wed, 07/26/2017 - 21:15

Stories

  • Image Description: An elderly person with a walker and supported by a caregiver
    बुजुर्गों में अकसर दिखने वाले ऐसे 12 लक्षण जो गंभीरता से लेने चाहियें
    वजन का बेवजह घटना, याददाश्त की समस्याएँ, कमजोरी और गहरी थकान जैसे लक्षणों को "सामान्य उम्र बढ़ने" की प्रक्रिया न समझें - ये किसी गंभीर समस्या का संकेत हो सकते हैं । इस लेख में डॉ शीतल रावल ऐसे 12  लक्षणों के बारे में बता रही हैं जो बुजुर्गों में अकसर पाए जाते हैं पर जिन्हें अनदेखा करने के बजाय आपको डॉक्टर की राय लेनी चाहिए।  वही लक्षण जो एक युवा व्यक्ति में एक कारण से हो सकते हैं वे बुजुर्गों में दूसरे कारणों से हो सकते हैं।  युवा व्यक्ति में शायद वे इतने गंभीर न हों, पर बुज़ुर्ग…
  • Image Description: An elderly person with a walker and supported by a caregiver
    12 Confusing and Overlapping Symptoms in the Elderly
    Symptoms like weight loss, memory loss, weakness, and fatigue should not be mistaken as a sign of the"normal aging" process. Dr. Shital Patel explains 12 common but misleading symptoms in the elderly and why you should seek a doctor's opinion instead of ignoring them.  Symptoms in the elderly can have very different causes than they may have in a young person. Many symptoms in the geriatric population may be masked by concurrent chronic ailments, injuries, age-related physiological…
  • What is the connection between Diabetes and Diarrhea?
    Diabetic diarrhoea commonly occurs in people with poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes and can pose several challenges related to bowel movement, including constipation and fecal incontinence. Dr Shital Raval gives an overview. Diarrhea is a common and bothersome complication of diabetes. It is commonly seen in diabetic patients who have poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes and also a history of peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. The diarrhea comes and goes with periods of…
  • Diagnosis of Diabetic Neuropathy and Tests
    Testing/Diagnosis for Diabetic Neuropathy: Diagnosis of Diabetic Neuropathy usually depends on the patient's symptoms, full medical history, physical examination and tests. The physical examination may include checking of muscle tone and reflexes and verifying symptoms for Diabetic Neuropathy. Sensory testing of temperature, touch and vibrations is also done. The neurological examination would include checking of nerve stimuli and sensations. Tests: Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) test…
  • How diabetes affects your sex life
    Many people with diabetes encounter difficulties with sex but are hesitant to address them. Some of you have asked us anonymously. Diabetologist Dr Rajiv Kovil from Mumbai offers some information and advice. Sexual problems (sexual dysfunction) are common among people with diabetes. Both men and women with diabetes experience sexual difficulties as a result of complications from the disease. How common is the problem? Although no official statistics are available for the extent…
  • 4 ways to manage Diabetic Neuropathy
    These measures can help you manage the progression of diabetic neuropathy: Keep your blood pressure under control. Having both high blood pressure and diabetes greatly increases your risk of complications because both damage your blood vessels and reduce blood flow. Try to keep your blood pressure in the range your doctor recommends. Make sure you check in regularly.  Make healthy food choices. Eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of healthy foods, especially fruits, vegetables and…
  • Diabetic Neuropathy Prevention
    There's a lot you can do to prevent or delay nerve damage. And, if you already have diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), these steps can prevent or delay further damage and may lessen your symptoms.  The most important thing is to keep blood sugar levels under control: Healthy planned diet, physical activity and medications, if prescribed, can help you reach your target range. Use a blood glucose meter to check your daily levels. Get an A1C test (a lab test) at least twice a year to find…
  • Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms and Signs
    The symptoms and signs of diabetic neuropathy depend on the type of neuropathy present with varying severity.  1. Peripheral neuropathy  This presents with numbness or tingling, pain or burning sensations, loss of sensation in the feet or lower legs and sometimes in the hands or arms. This affects the peripheral nerves, most commonly the nerves of the feet and legs.  2. Proximal neuropathy  This presents with one-sided pain in the hips, weakness in the thigh muscles, weight…
  • Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment
    The treatment is based on the types of diabetic neuropathy  1. Peripheral neuropathy treatment Manage pain with standard analgesics Maintain HbA1c below 7% Avoid tobacco and narcotics Localised pain can be managed with topical capsaicin, antidepressants (duloxetine, amitriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, venlafaxine), anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, gabapentin, phenytoin), or antiarrhythmic drug mexilitine (oral lidocaine). 2. Proximal neuropathy treatment Manage joint pain with…
  • Types of Diabetic Neuropathy
    There are four types of diabetic neuropathy. 1. Peripheral neuropathy  This presents with numbness or tingling, pain or burning sensations, loss of sensation in the feet or lower legs and sometimes in the hands or arms. This is the most common type of neuropathy that affects the peripheral nerves, most commonly the nerves of the feet and legs.  2. Proximal neuropathy  This presents with one-sided pain in the hips, weakness in the thigh muscles, weight loss, difficulty getting up…