Diabetic neuropathy, often referred to as diabetic nerve pain, is a condition where diabetes causes damage to your nerves, potentially creating issues throughout your body. About half of those people with diabetes have some degree of nerve damage. Now, here’s the twist, there isn’t just one type of this nerve issue. Each type has its own symptoms and future outlook.
For those with diabetes, nerve troubles can pop up anytime. At Ponte Vedra Spine & Pain Center we understand knowing these details is key to managing diabetic neuropathy effectively. A little know-how about diabetic neuropathy can go a long way for pain management in Ponte Vedra, FL.
What Is Diabetic Neuropathy?
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, hands, and feet bringing pain and numbness in these areas. It can also cause problems with the digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels, and heart. There are four main types of this condition. You may have just one type or you may have symptoms of several types. Most types of diabetic neuropathy develop gradually, and you may not notice problems until considerable damage has occurred. The four common types of diabetic neuropathy are:
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Foot-to-Hand Troubles: The most common diabetic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, starts in the feet and legs and progresses to the hands and arms. Symptoms peak at night and may include numbness, tingling, sharp pains, muscle weakness, and sensitivity to touch.
- Autonomic Neuropathy: Disruptions in Control: Disrupting the autonomic nervous system, diabetes leads to issues like unawareness of low blood sugar, drops in blood pressure causing dizziness, bladder or bowel problems, slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis), difficulty swallowing, changes in eye adjustment, and sexual response problems.
- Proximal Neuropathy: Targeting Specific Zones: Proximal neuropathy focuses on the thighs, hips, buttocks, legs, and even the abdominal and chest areas. Symptoms often affect one side and may include severe pain, weakening thigh muscles, difficulty rising from a sitting position, and chest or abdominal wall pain.
- Mononeuropathy: Singular Nerve Damage: In mononeuropathy, a single nerve is damaged, affecting specific areas like the face, torso, arms, or legs. This can result in difficulty focusing, paralysis on one side of the face, numbness or tingling, weakness leading to dropping things, pain in the shin or foot, and foot drop causing difficulty lifting the front part of the foot. This type of neuropathy is rare with diabetes.
If you’re feeling pain, tingling, or numbness due to diabetes, talk to Dr. Loch right away. With the right treatment, you can slow down diabetic neuropathy. The sooner your type can be diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of preventing further complications.
What Causes Diabetic Neuropathy?
While the exact cause of diabetic neuropathy remains a mystery, researchers believe that uncontrolled high blood sugar over time damages nerves, disrupting their signaling function. This disruption is the core of diabetic neuropathy. However, factors like high blood cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and low vitamin B12 levels can also contribute to this condition. The risk escalates with age, being overweight, and how long you’ve had diabetes. Other potential triggers include kidney disease, exposure to certain toxins, or widespread inflammation that can kickstart an autoimmune response targeting the nerves.
Understanding these diverse factors is key to comprehending the complex landscape of diabetic neuropathy causes. Other common contributors to diabetic neuropathy include:
- Lifestyle Impact: Smoking and excessive alcohol use contribute to diabetic neuropathy, highlighting the role of lifestyle choices in its development.
- Nerve Injury: Stemming from conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or other nerve injury, this can make the nerve more susceptible to developing diabetic neuropathy.
- Autoimmune Factors: In autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, the immune system can turn against the body, causing inflammation that damages the nerves.
- Genetic Factors: Inheriting a gene can make you more susceptible to nerve damage, adding a genetic dimension to the complexity of diabetic neuropathy.
Understanding the factors behind diabetic neuropathy can seem like navigating a maze. At Ponte Vedra Spine & Pain Center, we’re committed to offering you personalized care, uniquely tailored to your journey. While uncovering the specific causes may be challenging, our commitment to guiding you to a pain-free life is unwavering.
What Are The Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy symptoms unfold gradually, and their nature depends on the type and the nerves involved. Typically, they start in the feet, causing occasional “pins and needles” sensations. Over time, these feelings may extend to the legs and arms, intensifying as more nerves are affected. Common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include:
Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms:
Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes
Tingling or burning sensation
Sharp pains or cramps
Muscle weakness
Extreme sensitivity to touch — for some, even a bedsheet’s weight can be painful
Serious foot problems, including ulcers, infections, and bone/joint damage
Autonomic Neuropathy Symptoms:
- Drops in blood pressure upon standing (orthostatic hypotension) causing dizziness or fainting
- Bladder or bowel problems
- Slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis) resulting in nausea, vomiting, fullness, and appetite loss
- Difficulty swallowing
- Changes in eye adjustment from light to dark or far to near
- Increased or decreased sweating
- Problems with sexual response, such as vaginal dryness or erectile dysfunction
Proximal Neuropathy Symptoms:
- Severe pain in the buttock, hip, or thigh
- Weak and shrinking thigh muscles
- Difficulty rising from a sitting position
- Chest or abdominal wall pain
Mononeuropathy Symptoms:
- Difficulty focusing or double vision
- Paralysis on one side of the face
- Numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers
- Weakness in one arm or leg.
How Is Diabetic Neuropathy Diagnosed?
Diagnosing diabetic neuropathy involves a comprehensive approach, combining a physical examination, symptom assessment, medical history, and targeted tests to eliminate other potential conditions. At Ponte Vedra Spine & Pain Center, we advocate for an annual foot examination for individuals with diabetes to detect signs of peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Loch conducts this exam, assessing blood flow, skin health, and sensitivity to touch, temperature, and vibration. Specific tests for autonomic neuropathy are tailored to your unique symptoms, ensuring a thorough and personalized diagnostic process. Common types of diagnostic tests for diabetic neuropathy at Ponte Vedra Spine & Pain Center include:
- Nerve Conduction Studies: Conducting nerve conduction studies to assess the flow of electrical current through nerves.
- Electromyography (EMG): Utilizing Electromyography to observe how muscles respond to electrical impulses.
- Nerve Biopsy: Employing a nerve biopsy to extract a sample for in-depth testing and analysis.
How Is Diabetic Neuropathy Treated And Can I Prevent It?
While a cure for diabetic neuropathy remains elusive, slowing its progress is entirely feasible. Since diabetes underlies the condition, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels becomes pivotal in reducing the risk or slowing down diabetic neuropathy. A balanced lifestyle plays a crucial role — a healthy diet, regular physical activity, being compliant with prescribed medications, avoiding smoking, and practicing low or moderate alcohol consumption are effective in managing and preventing this condition. Special attention to foot care is crucial for those with diabetes; regular inspections help prevent issues related to poor circulation. Common diabetic neuropathy treatments include:
- Oral medications and/or supplements
- Transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy
- Biofeedback
- Acupuncture
- Prescribing Orthopedic shoes
Compassionate Care, Ongoing Relief: Diabetic Neuropathy Pain Management in Ponte Vedra, FL
If you have diabetes, it’s important to be on the lookout for the tell-tale signs of diabetic neuropathy. If you’re losing feeling or noticing tingling in any part of the body it’s a signal that something may be wrong and you need immediate emergency care. While everyone’s journey is different, pain relief is within reach. Don’t let diabetic neuropathy stop you from doing what you love, schedule an appointment with Dr. Eli Loch today!
