A Nerve-ous Feeling: Diabetic Neuropathy

By TGP / Categories: Diabetes

Diabetes has long been known to increase your risk of developing other ailment and causing some as well. It’s the reason why patients are rigorously taking their medicine for diabetes, in fear of developing troublesome complications. One of said illnesses is diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetics are advised to learn more about neuropathy and how it is related to diabetes. After all, diabetes is one tough enemy and you’ll need all the information you can get if you want to win against it.

Understanding Diabetic Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a nerve disorder caused by diabetes. Generally, high blood sugar has the capacity to damage nerve fibers all over the body. In most cases though, diabetic neuropathy affects the nerve fibers in your legs and feet.

No two person’s experience with diabetic neuropathy is alike. Maybe you know a friend with diabetic neuropathy who told you that her symptoms include pain and numbness in the extremities. Because of this, when you started developing problems in your digestive system, you didn’t think that it might be a symptom of the same disease but in truth, it is.

One thing that you should remember about diabetic neuropathy is it manifests itself in different ways; for some, the symptoms are mild while for others it’s not only incapacitating, but also lethal.

Types of Neuropathy

The signs of diabetic neuropathy differ because it depends on the type of neuropathy that you have developed. Below are the 4 main types of this disease, as well as their symptoms:

Peripheral Neuropathy

The most common type of diabetic neuropathy, it mostly affects the legs and feet. In some cases, it might move on to affect your hands, arms, or back as well. Peripheral neuropathy’s symptoms might include:

  • Numbness
  • Tingling or burning sensation
  • Pains and Cramps
  • Heightened sensitivity of touch
  • Weakness of the muscle
  • Loss of balance and coordination
  • Severe foot problems

These symptoms can worsen at night, but don’t worry because as long as you keep your blood sugar under control, early symptoms of this disease can get better. If you want to prevent developing peripheral neuropathy, check your legs and feet daily.

Autonomic Neuropathy

This type of diabetic neuropathy usually affects the digestive system, especially the stomach. In other cases though, autonomic neuropathy can affect blood vessels, the urinary system, as well as sex organs. Its symptoms are:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Constipation and diarrhea
  • Bloating
  • Low Blood Pressure
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Erectile Dysfunction

Proximal Neuropathy

Proximal neuropathy, also called diabetic amyotrophy, affects the nerves in your thighs, hips, buttocks, and sometimes, legs. This is usually more common in people with type 2 diabetes and its symptoms include:

  • Severe and sudden pain in the hips, thigh, or buttocks
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Atrophied thigh muscles

If you have proximal neuropathy, you will most likely be recommended to undergo physical therapy for the weakness and pain.

Focal Neuropathy

Compared to the other three types, focal neuropathy affects a specific nerve only. This nerve may be found in the face, torso, or leg. Also called mononeuropathy, its symptoms may include the following:

  • Double vision
  • Bell’s Palsy or paralysis of one side of your face
  • Pain in different parts of the body such as: lower back, front of your thigh, chest, abdomen, or foot

You might not know it, but you may be developing other diseases such as diabetic neuropathy. Learning about this nerve disorder and knowing its symptoms might help you avoid falling victim to this ailment. Above all, don’t forget to consult your doctor about the possible steps that can take to avoid diabetic neuropathy.

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