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What is diabetic neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur in individuals with diabetes. It is a common complication of diabetes and can affect different parts of the body, including the feet. One of the most common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy in the feet is numbness and weakness.
A few things to say in this article, we will explore the symptoms of numbness, weakness and diabetic neuropathy in the feet and provide valuable information for diabetic patients to effectively manage these challenges. As a diabetic patient, it is important to be aware of the complications that can arise due to this condition. One such complication is diabetic neuropathy, which affects the nerves and can cause numbness and weakness in the legs. In this article, we will look at the key aspects of dealing with numbness, weakness, and diabetic neuropathy in the feet.
Diabetes is an increase in blood sugar levels in the human body. Therefore, it is important for diabetics to keep sugar under control. If left untreated, diabetes can eventually become life-threatening. If the blood sugar level remains high for a long time, many organs of the body start to malfunction. When it comes to the risks of diabetes, its increase can lead to heart disease, kidney, lung and eye damage.
Causes of diabetic neuropathy;
There are different types of diabetic neuropathy. The reasons for all these are different. Nerve damage can occur due to metabolic factors such as high blood glucose, long duration of diabetes, low insulin and blood fat levels.
- Lifestyle factors such as excessive smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
- Neurovascular factors damage the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves.
- Autoimmune factors that cause inflammation in the body's nerves.
- Mechanical injury to the nerves, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Hereditary traits that increase the risk of neurological disease
Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy;
Symptoms depend on the type of neuropathy and the affected nerves. Some have no symptoms at all. Numbness in the feet, tingling or pain in the feet for others is often the first symptom. Some individuals may experience pain and numbness most of the time. And since most neurological disorders occur over many years, mild cases may go unnoticed for a long time.
Symptoms;
Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, or pain in fingers, toes, feet, legs, hands, etc.
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence) or vaginal dryness
- Indigestion, nausea or vomiting
- Weakness
- Muscle atrophy of the feet or hands
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Dizziness or fainting due to drop in blood pressure while standing
- Problems urinating
- Types of diabetic neuropathy: Diabetic neuropathies can be categorized as peripheral, autonomic, proximal and focal. Each affects various parts of the body in different ways. Peripheral neuropathy causes either pain or loss of feeling in the toes, feet, legs and hands.
- Autonomic neuropathy: Autonomic neuropathy causes changes in digestion, bowel movements, urinary function, sexual response, and sweating. It may affect the heart and nerves that control blood pressure. Autonomic neuropathy can also cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) unawareness, a condition in which people may not experience the warning signs of hypoglycemia.
- Proximal neuropathy:Proximal neuropathy causes pain in the thigh, hip, or buttock and leads to leg weakness. Focal neuropathy causes sudden weakness of a nerve or a group of nerves. It causes weakness or pain in the muscles. It can affect any nerve in the body.
- How to diagnose: Neuropathy is diagnosed based on symptoms and physical examination. The doctor will check your blood pressure, heart rate, muscle strength, reflexes, position, vibration, temperature, or sensitivity to light touch. Other tests may be done to help determine the type and extent of nerve damage.
- Treatment for diabetic neuropathy: The first thing to do is to keep the blood glucose level within the normal range to prevent further damage to the nerves. Controlling blood glucose levels requires blood glucose monitoring, meal planning, exercise, and oral medications or insulin injections. Although symptoms may worsen when blood glucose is initially out of control, maintaining low blood glucose levels over time helps to reduce neuropathic symptoms.
- Foot care: People with neuropathy should pay special attention to the feet. The nerves to the feet are the longest in the body and the most commonly affected by neuropathy. Loss of sensation in the feet can cause sores or injuries to go undetected and become infected. Living with diabetes can be challenging, but there are various steps you can take to manage and reduce its impact on your life.
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In this article, we'll explore effective strategies and lifestyle changes that can help you on your journey to reducing diabetes and improving your overall well-being.
