Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy – Diabetes is a huge issue for the whole world, including in advanced countries like the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States believe we record more than 3 million cases of diabetes each year.
Several independent studies have already pointed out that around 35% of the global population suffers from diabetes. A few years ago, the percentage of diabetic people was high above the age of 50, and now it has been rapidly increasing in youngsters.
There could be 1000 different causes of diabetes, including poor diet, lifestyle choices, no workout, and work conditions. Health experts around the world live with the right knowledge. A person can prevent or manage diabetes and save oneself from the disease caused by diabetes itself.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a condition caused by diabetes. People who are about to get diabetes or those who are already diabetic should learn about the condition as it can help them have a quality life.
What is Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that is caused by diabetes. High levels of blood sugar can injure the nerves throughout the body, and it can lead to symptoms like numbness, loss of sensation, and pain in your hands, legs, and feet.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is among the most common complications of diabetes, and the Centers for Disease control and prevention will leave around 65% of people who will be diagnosed with diabetes are going to have the condition in their lifetime.
Some studies mention that a person can lower or prevent the pain caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We will talk about everything related to the condition down below.
Top Symptoms of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Once you have learned about the basics of diabetic neuropathy, now it’s time for you to learn about all the symptoms of the same.
If you are a diabetic person and you are experiencing any of the below-given symptoms, then you should consult with your health care provider as early as possible.
As you know that the Centers for Disease control and prevention will leave around 65% of diabetic people diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and you might have already developed it.
Health experts around the world will leave a person who has been struggling with diabetic preferable neuropathy can experience below given symptoms.
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Pins and needles
- Pinching
- Buzzing
- Sharp
- Burning
- Cold and
- Deep stabs
- Prickling
There is a wide range of symptoms that a person can experience when they start developing diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Every person can experience different types of symptoms, and you should consult with your healthcare provider as early as possible.
You might experience one or all of the above-given symptoms depending on your condition.
Health experts also believe that you might develop touch sensitivity. It means you will feel the touch more than you should, and it can hurt you in numerous ways.
Higher blood sugar levels can also damage the nerves that tell your muscles how to move. As a result, you might experience a huge muscle weakness which can later result in difficulty in walking or getting up from a chair.
Due to muscle weakness, you will also experience balance problems. Even if you are mentally stable and you are trying to balance yourself, your muscles won’t work according to your thought process.
The best thing you can do is not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are experiencing diabetic peripheral neuropathy. You might hurt yourself or anyone around you.
Diagnosis of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Before we move ahead, let’s take a look at that diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
As you might have read above, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe there is more than a 65% chance that a person who has been diagnosed with diabetes will experience or develop diabetic peripheral neuropathy once in their lifetime.
That is why the CDC also suggests every diabetic person keep an eye on their symptoms. If you have been affected with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, then your doctor will be able to diagnose the condition with a regular physical exam.
- Your doctor will check your overall muscle strength and tone.
- All of your tendon reflexes.
- Your sensitivity to touch, pain, temperature, and vibration will also be tested by your doctor.
Along with the regular physical exam, some different types of tests can be performed if your doctor leaves you struggling with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
First of all, your doctor might ask you to get filament testing. A medical professional will use soft nylon fiber to test your sensitivity to the touch. After that, they will take you for known invasive tests to check how your nerves respond to vibration and immediate temperature changes.
After that, your doctor might also conduct a nerve conduction test which will help the doctors understand how quickly the nerves in your arms and legs can conduct electrical signals.
There are two other tests, including autonomic testing and electromyography. These tests will be recommended based on your condition.
Treatment Options for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Before we wrap up this session, let’s take a quick look at all the treatment options for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Unfortunately, there is no cure available for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. With the help of different treatment options, your doctor will have three goals in their mind when they are trying to trade you.
- First of all, your doctor will try to control the progression of the condition as low as possible. There are some tactics your doctor can use to control the symptoms and lower the progression of the condition.
- The second thing your doctor is going to focus on is relieving the pain. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can be a very challenging and painful condition. People suffering from the condition won’t be able to live their life as normal people. They will have to be way more careful than any other person in the world.
- Doctors will focus on managing complications and restoring the function of all body parts. Yes, there is a probability that you might not be able to control your limbs as you used to. In that situation, your doctor will focus on more control.
Home Remedies
If there is no cure available for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, it doesn’t mean you cannot do anything to improve your life. If you have been diagnosed with similar conditions, then your health expert will suggest you go for some home remedies.
- First of all, your doctor will suggest that you keep an eye on your blood pressure and control it as much as possible.
- Try to eat a balanced diet with green vegetables and healthy fruits. If you don’t have a diet plan, then you should consult with your health care provider and get one as early as possible.
- You can also start exercising for at least 150 minutes a week. You can also consult with your health care provider as you might be advised to do light weight exercises only.
- Lastly, you can stop smoking or having alcoholic beverages. Any form of tobacco is known to develop poor circulation in the feet.
What is the Life Expectancy of Someone Infected with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
Due to its bigger name and some serious symptoms, you might think that diabetic peripheral neuropathy can decrease the lifespan of a person diagnosed with the condition, but it is not like that.
Apart from its dangerous name, diabetic peripheral neuropathy is not going to reduce the life expectancy of a person, but it begins to affect the quality of life of the person diagnosed with the condition.
As you’re already aware, there are tons of different symptoms associated with the condition, and they can make the life of a person miserable and hamper each and everything they are going to do.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can cause foot ulcers which can further lead to gangrene if the infection is not controlled at the right time. The best thing you can do if you get diagnosed with the condition is to keep a check on each and everything you are experiencing.
Suppose you are a diabetic person, then do not ignore any disease or symptom you are experiencing. The immune system of diabetic people is already at its lowest, and they cannot take the risk of developing any serious condition.
What are the causes of diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
The cause of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. People who are diabetic are way more vulnerable to developing diabetic peripheral neuropathy if they are not taking good care of their health. You should be focusing on your diet and exercise to lower the development of the condition.
