Diabetic Neuropathy Treatments in Westminster Denver Colorado
Overview
●
Diabetic
neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. High
blood sugar (glucose) can injure nerves throughout the body. Diabetic
neuropathy most often damages nerves in the legs and feet.
●
Depending
on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy symptoms include pain and numbness
in the legs, feet and hands. It can also cause problems with the digestive
system, urinary tract, blood vessels and heart. Some people have mild symptoms.
But for others, diabetic neuropathy can be quite painful and disabling.
●
Diabetic
neuropathy is a serious diabetes complication that may affect as many as 50% of
people with diabetes. But you can often prevent diabetic neuropathy or slow its
progress with consistent blood sugar management and a healthy lifestyle.
Symptoms
●
There
are four main types of diabetic neuropathy. You can have one type or more than
one type of neuropathy.
●
Your
symptoms depend on the type you have and which nerves are affected. Usually,
symptoms develop gradually. You may not notice anything is wrong until
considerable nerve damage has occurred.
1.)
Peripheral
neuropathy
–
This
type of neuropathy may also be called distal symmetric peripheral neuropathy.
It’s the most common type of diabetic neuropathy. It affects the feet and legs
first, followed by the hands and arms. Signs and symptoms of peripheral
neuropathy are often worse at night, and may include:
● Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature
changes
● Tingling or burning feeling
● Sharp pains or cramps
● Muscle weakness
● Extreme sensitivity to touch — for some people, even a
bedsheet’s weight can be painful
● Serious foot problems, such as ulcers, infections, and bone
and joint damage
2.)
Autonomic
neuropathy
–
The
autonomic nervous system controls blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, eyes,
bladder, digestive system and sex organs. Diabetes can affect nerves in any of
these areas, possibly causing signs and symptoms including:
● A lack of awareness that blood sugar levels are low
(hypoglycemia unawareness)
● Drops in blood pressure when rising from sitting or lying
down that may cause dizziness or fainting (orthostatic hypotension)
● Bladder or bowel problems
● Slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis), causing nausea,
vomiting, sensation of fullness and loss of appetite
● Difficulty swallowing
● Changes in the way the eyes adjust from light to dark or far
to near
● Increased or decreased sweating
● Problems with sexual response, such as vaginal dryness in
women and erectile dysfunction in men
3.)
Proximal
neuropathy (diabetic polyradiculopathy)
–
This
type of neuropathy often affects nerves in the thighs, hips, buttocks or legs.
It can also affect the abdominal and chest area. Symptoms are usually on one side
of the body, but may spread to the other side. Proximal neuropathy may include:
● Severe pain in the buttock, hip or thigh
● Weak and shrinking thigh muscles
● Difficulty rising from a sitting position
● Chest or abdominal wall pain
4.)
Mononeuropathy
(focal neuropathy)
–
Mononeuropathy
refers to damage to a single, specific nerve. The nerve may be in the face,
torso, arm or leg. Mononeuropathy may lead to:
● Difficulty focusing or double vision
● Paralysis on one side of the face
● Numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers
● Weakness in the hand that may result in dropping things
● Pain in the shin or foot
● Weakness causing difficulty lifting the front part of the
foot (foot drop)
● Pain in the front of the thigh
When to see a doctor
Call
your health care provider for an appointment if you have:
● A cut or sore on your foot that is infected or won’t heal
● Burning, tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet
that interferes with daily activities or sleep
● Changes in digestion, urination or sexual function
● Dizziness and fainting
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that
screening for diabetic neuropathy begin immediately after someone is diagnosed
with type 2 diabetes or five years after diagnosis with type 1 diabetes. After
that, screening is recommended once a year.
Causes
The exact cause of each type of neuropathy is unknown.
Researchers think that over time, uncontrolled high blood sugar damages nerves
and interferes with their ability to send signals, leading to diabetic
neuropathy. High blood sugar also weakens the walls of the small blood vessels
(capillaries) that supply the nerves with oxygen and nutrients.
Risk factors
Anyone
who has diabetes can develop neuropathy. But these risk factors make nerve
damage more likely:
● Poor blood sugar control. Uncontrolled blood sugar increases
the risk of every diabetes complication, including nerve damage.
● Diabetes history. The risk of diabetic neuropathy increases
the longer a person has diabetes, especially if blood sugar isn’t well
controlled.
● Kidney disease. Diabetes can damage the kidneys. Kidney
damage sends toxins into the blood, which can lead to nerve damage.
● Being overweight. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or
more may increase the risk of diabetic neuropathy.
● Smoking. Smoking narrows and hardens the arteries, reducing
blood flow to the legs and feet. This makes it more difficult for wounds to
heal and damages the peripheral nerves.
Complications
Diabetic
neuropathy can cause a number of serious complications, including:
● Hypoglycemia unawareness. Blood sugar levels below 70
milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) — 3.9 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) — usually
cause shakiness, sweating and a fast heartbeat. But people who have autonomic
neuropathy may not experience these warning signs.
● Loss of a toe, foot or leg. Nerve damage can cause a loss of
feeling in the feet, so even minor cuts can turn into sores or ulcers without
being noticed. In severe cases, an infection can spread to the bone or lead to
tissue death. Removal (amputation) of a toe, foot or even part of the leg may
be necessary.
● Urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence. If the
nerves that control the bladder are damaged, the bladder may not empty
completely when urinating. Bacteria can build up in the bladder and kidneys,
causing urinary tract infections. Nerve damage can also affect the ability to
feel the need to urinate or to control the muscles that release urine, leading
to leakage (incontinence).
● Sharp drops in blood pressure. Damage to the nerves that
control blood flow can affect the body’s ability to adjust blood pressure. This
can cause a sharp drop in pressure when standing after sitting or lying down,
which may lead to lightheadedness and fainting.
● Digestive problems. If nerve damage occurs in the digestive
tract, constipation or diarrhea, or both are possible. Diabetes-related nerve
damage can lead to gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach empties too
slowly or not at all. This can cause bloating and indigestion.
● Sexual dysfunction. Autonomic neuropathy often damages the
nerves that affect the sex organs. Men may experience erectile dysfunction.
Women may have difficulty with lubrication and arousal.
● Increased or decreased sweating. Nerve damage can disrupt
how the sweat glands work and make it difficult for the body to control its
temperature properly.
Prevention
●
You
can prevent or delay diabetic neuropathy and its complications by closely
managing your blood sugar and taking good care of your feet.
Blood sugar management
–
The
ADA recommends that people living with diabetes have a glycated hemoglobin
(A1C) test at least twice a year. This test indicates your average blood sugar
level for the past 2 to 3 months.
–
A1C
goals may need to be individualized, but for many adults, the ADA recommends an
A1C of less than 7.0%. If your blood sugar levels are higher than your goal,
you may need changes in your daily management, such as adding or adjusting your
medications or changing your diet or physical activity.
Foot care
–
Foot
problems, including sores that don’t heal, ulcers and even amputation, are
common complications of diabetic neuropathy. But you can prevent many of these
problems by having a thorough foot exam at least once a year. Also have your
health care provider check your feet at each office visit and take good care of
your feet at home.
Follow
your health care provider’s recommendations for good foot care. To protect the
health of your feet:
● Check your feet every day. Look for blisters, cuts, bruises,
cracked and peeling skin, redness, and swelling. Use a mirror or ask a friend
or family member to help examine parts of your feet that are hard to see.
● Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash your feet every day with
lukewarm water and mild soap. Don’t soak your feet. Dry your feet and between
your toes thoroughly.
● Moisturize your feet. This helps prevent cracking. But don’t
get lotion between your toes because it might encourage fungal growth.
● Trim your toenails carefully. Cut your toenails straight
across. File the edges carefully so that you have smooth edges. If you can’t do
this yourself, a specialist in foot problems (podiatrist) can help.
● Wear clean, dry socks. Look for socks made of cotton or
moisture-wicking fibers that don’t have tight bands or thick seams.
● Wear cushioned shoes that fit well. Wear closed-toed shoes
or slippers to protect your feet. Make sure your shoes fit properly and allow
your toes to move. A foot specialist can teach you how to buy properly fitted
shoes and to prevent problems such as corns and calluses. If you qualify for
Medicare, your plan may cover the cost of at least one pair of shoes each year.
Diagnosis
Your
health care provider can usually diagnose diabetic neuropathy by performing a
physical exam and carefully reviewing your symptoms and medical history.
Your
health care provider typically checks your:
● Overall muscle strength and tone
● Tendon reflexes
● Sensitivity to touch, pain, temperature and vibration
Along
with the physical exam, your health care provider may perform or order specific
tests to help diagnose diabetic neuropathy, such as:
● Filament testing. A soft nylon fiber (monofilament) is
brushed over areas of your skin to test your sensitivity to touch.
● Sensory testing. This noninvasive test is used to tell how
your nerves respond to vibration and changes in temperature.
● Nerve conduction testing. This test measures how quickly the
nerves in your arms and legs conduct electrical signals.
● Electromyography. Called needle testing, this test is often
done along with nerve conduction studies. It measures electrical discharges
produced in your muscles.
● Autonomic testing. Special tests may be done to determine
how your blood pressure changes while you are in different positions, and
whether your sweating is within the standard range.
Treatment
Diabetic
neuropathy has no known cure. The goals of treatment are to:
● Slow progression
● Relieve pain
● Manage complications and restore function
Our
expert providers are experienced and skilled at treating Diabetic Neuropathy
and are your source for expert treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy in Westminster
and Denver Colorado. Not only are we the premier treatment for spine injuries
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Premier destination for Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment in Westminster Colorado
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