How to manage peripheral neuropathy in diabetes?

To prevent peripheral neuropathy manage blood sugar level, which involves: anti-diabetic medication, diet control and exercise. And how to manage peripheral neuropathy in diabetes? Key consideration to manage peripheral neuropathy is personal hygiene, blood sugar control and foot care

For a long time now and well in to the foreseeable future, diabetes and its complications are very crutial. A diabetes assumes epidemic proportions. Complications of diabetes like neuropathies especially, peripheral neuropathy is the one that often seeks urgent attention.

Neuropathy, Diabetes means harm to the nerves. It can become a painful condition. It is very frequently found in individuals with persistent high sugar level.

While high levels of blood sugar is well defined, but in practice, we have found patients with 180-200 mg% blood sugar levels seem to console themselves and some feel convinced that they are in good control of the situation. Generally patients don’t comprehend the significance of approaching doctor for regular checking of blood sugar levels.

We have come across people having same medicines for over 5-6 years and still are diabetics over 150 mg% of sugar levels. Educating patients may be a 50% solution in its management.

The single biggest rule

To prevent peripheral neuropathy, work with your doctor and manage your blood sugar level. It is very important to remember that, good management of blood sugar level involves, necessarily a mix of three dimensions, namely: anti-diabetic medication, diet control and exercise.

In general diabetes have influence on nerves, the ones that needs attention is peripheral neuropathy. It usually infects feet and legs. Occasionally it may also infect the arms, stomach and back.

Symptoms

Burning sensation – typically in the evening and night
Tingling/Numbness usually starts and occurs intermittently. It is to be noted that, prolonged period numbness may become permanent and create further complications like wounds and ulcers. It may even become worst because of its painless nature.
Pain occurs commonly in feet and it can be relieved, if blood sugar is controlled and medicated.

Pathophysiology of Diabetic Neuropathy

The important impact of long term diabetes with uncontrolled blood sugar levels are

Neuronal – Diabetes causes patchy damage to the Myelin Sheath
Vascular changes which primarily reduces flow of blood, due to occlusion of micro circulation.

It has its impact on body’s ability of flushing out accumulated biochemical waste and also decreases the want of nutrient supply and infects its normal working.

Key considerations in management of peripheral neuropathy in diabetes

Personal Hygiene

Examine toes, feet and legs everyday
Moisturize if skin is too dry
Take care of your toe nails
Protect feet with well-fitting shoes both at indoor and outside. This is important to prevent injuries and consequent complications like chronic ulcers, non healing wounds and even gangrene

Blood Sugar Control

Primarily blood sugar management has three very important components. Medication, Diet management and Activity/Exercise.
The balance between all three dimensions is essential. Any one of them cannot be stretched infinitely. Many attempts fail miserably when one totally depends on any one dimension.

Foot Care

Use shoes that fit well regularly, so that your feet don’t get injured.
A Podiatrist or Diabetic Foot Care specialist can help in case of complications.

Practically one of the biggest challenge is the time lost in experimenting self-medication, altering diet and activity, very unscientifically.

Management of peripheral neuropathy & chronic ulcers in diabetes

Cold Laser Therapy treatment for peripheral neuropathy evolved in the last decade. It has been used very successfully in managing chronic ulcers, peripheral neuropathy, and burning sensation in the feet. Patients with chronic, non-healing ulcers for quite a few months may observe the development of granulation tissues. Cold Lasers decreases the necessaries for separating gangrene. It has been used successfully to alleviate symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in diabetics.

Cold lasers deliver two significant benefits: