Diabetic neuropathy is a serious progressive medical condition affecting over half of diabetic patients. Neuropathy can adversely affect the feet of diabetic patients, requiring specialized diabetic foot care from an experienced podiatrist. Here’s more information about diabetic neuropathy and how to treat it:
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What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
The effect of diabetes that harms the nerves, particularly peripheral nerves, is called neuropathy. It’s a common complication affecting patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This condition develops slowly in people with long-term high blood sugar levels. If the condition manifests in your feet, a podiatrist offering diabetic foot care can help you treat it.
Diabetic neuropathy is classified into four different types depending on the nerves it affects: peripheral, focal, proximal, and autonomic neuropathies. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of neuropathy that can damage the nerves of your feet.
If you’re suffering from peripheral neuropathy, you might experience mild to severe symptoms. The most common symptoms include numbness, sharp pain, tingling, and muscle weakness. Patients sometimes won’t feel or notice a sore or injury on their feet.
Diabetic neuropathy can result from prolonged high blood sugar levels. Other causes of this complication include damage to blood vessels, low levels of Vitamin B12, and lifestyle factors, including alcohol consumption and smoking. Patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are at a higher risk of developing foot ulcers. You can manage or avoid more complications through diabetic toe care that involves rigorous screening and treatment.
How is Diabetic Neuropathy Treated?
Before treatment, a doctor performs several tests to ascertain that the complication results from diabetic neuropathy, including EMG, imaging, biopsy, and nerve functionality tests. Blood testing is often used to detect vitamin deficiencies, aberrant immunological function, and diabetes, among other signs. The presence of these signs or conditions could indicate neuropathy.
If you suspect your condition results from neuropathy, visit an experienced podiatrist for high-quality diabetic foot care. Here are various ways podiatrists treat diabetic neuropathy:
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Using TENS to treat diabetic neuropathy involves applying electrodes to the skin to stimulate the nerves. The low-voltage electrical current excites the sensory nerves, providing symptomatic pain relief. The effectiveness of TENS depends on the clinical pain your podiatrist is treating.
Physical Therapy
Diabetic neuropathy patients experiencing muscular weakness can benefit from physical therapy. This treatment method often helps reduce numbness, relieve pain, and improve movement. Your doctor can use a range of physical exercises, such as aerobics, flexibility, and muscle-strengthening, to help improve your condition.
Surgery
Surgery might be a good option for diabetic neuropathy resulting from nerve pressure. A common surgery that doctors use is nerve decompression to relieve pressure on the affected nerves and pain.
Your doctor may also recommend various ways to manage pain and complications associated with diabetic neuropathy. Effective methods include pain medications, acupuncture, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications. Proper care includes cleaning your feet regularly, checking for injuries, wearing proper footwear, and increasing physical exercise.
Seek Professional Diabetic Foot Care
Treating diabetic neuropathy in the feet requires the knowledge of an experienced podiatrist. Early screening and routine foot care can help prevent minor issues from developing into severe complications. Contact a podiatrist offering diabetic foot care to alleviate pain and improve your overall well-being.
