Understanding diabetic neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a common side effect for diabetics. Diabetics
are prone to a number of nerve disorders. If left untreated or ignored,
diabetes could lead to nerve damage on any part of the body. The common
symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are numbness, tingling etc. This can
occur in the extremities and they can also occur in any of the organs.
Some diabetics who have nerve damage may not even show any symptoms.
Causes of diabetic neuropathy
Almost sixty to seventy percent of diabetics suffer from some kind of
diabetic neuropathy. The risk of neuropathy rises as a diabetic gets
older. Diabetics have to be very careful with their diet, exercise and
medication. People who are not following any kind of treatment to
control diabetes are more prone to diabetic neuropathy.
Inflammation of the nerves due to autoimmunity raises the risk of
neuropathy. Injuries that occur to the extremities like carpal tunnel
syndrome, fractures etc can lead to diabetic neuropathy in that area.
Some people are plain unlucky and may have inherited this gene from
their ancestors. Obesity and substance abuse can also be a cause in
developing this disease.
Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy
The type of neuropathy a person has dictates which part of the body
is affected. The severity of the neuropathy also differs from person to
person. Extremities are usually the most common part of the body to get
affected. If a person develops diabetic neuropathy of the feet, it means
that the nerve endings in the feet are damaged.
Dealing with diabetic neuropathy of the foot
When a diabetic develops neuropathy of the foot it can be extremely
dangerous. There are quite a few signs that one should be aware of when
you are a diabetic. Burning or shooting pain, tingling, deformities etc
are just some of the symptoms to watch out for. One of the symptoms of
neuropathy is numbness. So, a person suffering from diabetic neuropathy
of the foot will be unable to feel pain. If there is an injury to the
foot, it may go unnoticed for a while, leading to other complications.
Individuals with diabetic neuropathy of the feet should make sure
that their feet are protected at all times. A regular check up with a
podiatrist is recommended. Even something as simple as an ingrown toe
nail or a corn could give rise to more severe problems.
Treating diabetic neuropathy of the foot
Prevention is better than a cure! If you are a diabetic and suffer
from neuropathy of the feet, ensure that you wear comfortable footwear
always. Shoe bites could go unnoticed due to numbness. Wear socks to
prevent chaffing of the feet. Pamper your feet with a warm soak once a
week. Moisturizing your feet prevents dry skin. Dry skin can cause
chaffing, leading to wounds that can get infected.
It is a good idea to air your feet every few hours to prevent
bacteria from attacking your feet. Closed shoes can make your feet
sweat. The humidity caused by wearing closed footwear is the perfect
breeding ground for bacteria. Powdering your feet with anti fungal
powder in the morning and evening will also help prevent bacteria from
attacking your feet. By taking these simple preventive measures, you are
safeguarding your feet from infections.
If you notice any kind of wound, tear or discolorations of the foot see a podiatrist
immediately. You may need a course of ant biotic treatment to treat the
problem and to prevent further complications. There are many foot
products available in the market to help treat diabetic neuropathy of
the foot.
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