Neuropathy is one of the most common diabetes complications, affecting between 60% and 70% of people with diabetes at some stage. Neuropathy simply means nerve damage, and can occur in every organ system but most commonly in the feet, arms, hands and legs.
Neuropathy is most common amongst people who have had diabetes for at least 25 years, and also more common amongst those who have trouble controlling their blood glucose
Furthermore, those who are overweight and have high blood pressure face a greater risk.
What causes Neuropathy?
Neuropathy can be caused by high blood glucose, abnormal blood fat, damage in the blood vessels, autoimmune factors, injury to nerves, inherited traits and lifestyle factors such as alcohol or smoking
Neuropathy symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of neuropathy but can include:
- numbness
- muscle wasting
- indigestion
- dizziness
- urination problem
- erectile dysfunction
- weakness and others.
How is Neuropathy treated?
Diabetic neuropathies are treated by bringing glucose levels under control, medication , treatments such as creams.
Community perspectives
- Dobbs : I also had neuropathy for a time (which is what led me to discover I was diabetic) but after about a year of controlling my levels it subsided considerably and now I’m rarely aware of it and it almost never bothers me. I do believe tight control of your levels is the only way towards longer-term improvement, but these other suggestions are great if they bring a bit of relief while you’re waiting for things to improve.
- Lillibet : Tight control of blood glucose can in some cases reverse neuropathy – though to what degree I don’t suppose anyone can say. I’ve also read of supplements which can help: Alpha Lipoic, Acid, Evening Primrose Oil, Benfotiamine, Vit C
- Roy948 : I have similar burning sensations in my ankles and feet, ask you doctor to try a capsule called LYRICA, for me it has worked wonders.
- Donal Bredin : I have suffered for a few years with this. It seems to get worse in cold weather. This winter after getting it bad I did a number of things:
– I went online and got some very thick warm socks
– I went on the vitamin B complex.
– I gave up the statin pills I was on for cholesterol.
– I made sure the electric blanket was on for at least one hour before I went to bed.
