10 Things You Didn't Know About Diabetic Neuropathy

Learn about the risk factors, symptoms, and possible remedies for the condition.

Neuropathy is a disruptive force in life. Once it manifests, it makes everyday activities harder to do. It can even make doing them impossible at times.

It's easy to understand how constant pain diminishes one’s quality of life. Moving around becomes a hardship and a good night’s sleep is but a memory. And the pain itself is mentally draining. Finally, the search for a solution becomes frustrating.

The good news is, solutions do exist. 

Finding them requires an understanding of the problem and not giving up. And the essential thing to remember is that the pain can go away.

Once a medicine or treatment starts working, it's like one’s life begins anew. The simple things become experiences full of hope - walking, shopping, and even work seems like a miracle. On top of it all, time spent with family and friends isn't riddled with frustrating pain.

Finding a remedy for neuropathy is truly a life-changing event.

If you're suffering from diabetic neuropathy, you're looking for just that. But to get there, you need to understand the condition first. 

There are vital things to know about neuropathy - the symptoms, what it indicates, and what affects it, among others.

An in-depth comprehension of your condition will help in combating it more efficiently. That's why we've compiled this list of ten things you didn't know about diabetic neuropathy.

1. Diabetic Neuropathy Is One of the Most Common Complications of Diabetes

Diabetic neuropathy occurs when glucose injures body nerves. Unfortunately, at least half of all people with diabetes suffer this complication. 

The longer you have diabetes, the greater the risk of developing neuropathy.

Uncontrolled levels of blood sugar naturally increase the risk. An unhealthy lifestyle can also contribute to developing neuropathy. That’s why smokers and overweight persons have increased chances to acquire the condition.

2. Its Symptoms Vary from Person-to-Person

There are many different symptoms related to diabetic neuropathy. The most common is numbness in the limbs. Another is feeling frequent, sudden sharp pain or cramps.

Weakening muscles and numb feet, which is also a common symptom, can lead to poor balance. This will cause unusual walking movement, as one’s weight isn't distributed properly. As a result, the feet can become somewhat deformed.

The nerve damage can also prevent pain responses. Sores and injuries could then go unnoticed and seem to appear without reason. On the other hand, nerves can become oversensitive, especially to temperature. Warm sensations will be burning, while a mild cold touch will hurt.

Diabetic neuropathy pains tend to become worse overnight. Besides being very unpleasant, it disrupts sleep. Sleep deprivation is an issue in itself and makes other symptoms feel more severe.

While symptoms won't be the same for everyone, they'll mostly concentrate around hands and feet. Other symptoms will depend on many factors - lifestyle, personal habits, and pain tolerance will influence them.

3. Some Medications Can Cause Further Damage to Your Nerves

Certain medicines have a toxic effect on nerves. Depending on the affected part of the nerve cell, nerve signals can become disrupted or accelerated. This nerve damage is what causes neuropathy. 

While medications might not be the primary cause, they can worsen the condition.

Some drugs that regulate heart or blood pressure may have this effect. Medications for cancer, infections, HIV/AIDS, and autoimmune diseases can damage nerves as well. For a more complete overview, please consult this list.

4. Numbness Can Lead to More Serious Issues

While not as disruptive as some other symptoms, numbness can lead to other problems. Because numbness prevents pain signals, it prevents reactions to pain as well. Injuries can go unnoticed as a result. And given enough time, they can lead to infections.

With this condition, everyday nuisances can become dangerous. 

Uncomfortable shoes or socks, or even pebbles stuck in a shoe, can damage the foot skin. That's why it's important to look for sores or cuts on your feet daily. Even an ingrown toenail can present a risk if left unattended. Also, well-fitting socks and shoes are vital to prevent accidental injuries.

5. Prescription Medications Can't Cure Neuropathy

Prescription medications combat only the symptoms of neuropathy, not neuropathy itself. The primary purpose of these medications is simply to alleviate pain. 

Most of the medications can take the edge off the pain. In some cases, they might manage it very efficiently. But, those medications aren't made to address the cause. 

When it comes to regeneration and function of nerve cells and tissues, prescription medications won't help.

6. Neuropathy Is a Reliable Indicator of Serious Further Problems with Diabetes

Neuropathy indicates nerve damage. And for diabetics, it can be a crucial warning sign of future complications.

To start with, the digestive system can become affected. This can then lead to nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and other problems. In addition, poor nutrition can contribute to a further imbalance of blood sugar levels.

Injuries to the skin and other tissue can cause infections. This, as well as leg joint damage, can lead to loss of limbs.

Sweat glands function might also become disrupted, resulting in reduced or excess sweating. Sweating is an essential element of body temperature regulation. If it's imbalanced, this system can stop functioning properly.

Nerve damage could affect the urinary system and sexual organs. In that case, uncontrolled urination and sexual dysfunction issues might occur.

7. Your Diet Has an Impact on Your Symptoms

Different food types can either further harm damaged nerves or help with the condition. That’s why you should avoid processed sugars, refined grains, and dairy products. Those types of food contain proteins that are harmful to nerves, among others.

On the other hand, whole foods could be beneficial. For example, a low-fat diet based on plant food can help alleviate symptoms of neuropathy. Vitamins B1, B2, B6, and B12 also promote better nerve function, as long as you don’t take them in excess. And any food rich in magnesium and zinc can be very useful as well.

8. Low-Impact Physical Therapy Can Help

Physical therapy and exercise are invaluable as a treatment. It's particularly effective when combined with an appropriate diet.

Swimming or low-impact exercises should be an everyday habit for everyone. When it comes to neuropathy, they are quite useful. However, high-impact exercises aren't recommended since they can make the nerves even more numb.

It's vital not to put together a workout regimen on your own. An expert therapist will know what kind of exercise is best suited for your condition. 

Proper exercise can soothe pain and prevent future issues. However, it won't cure nerve pain.

9. There Are Different Types of Diabetic Neuropathy

The types of neuropathy differ based on the damaged nerves. Different parts of the body will develop symptoms, depending on which nerves get damaged.

While four main types of neuropathy exist, a single person can have more than one type:

• Peripheral neuropathy is the most common. Here, the feet and legs are the first affected. Symptoms include numbness, tingling sensations, sharp pain, and cramps. Lessened pain or temperature sensitivity is also common. Peripheral neuropathy can also cause increased sensitivity to touch, as well as severe foot issues, including bone and joint pain. There's also an increased risk of infections and ulcers.

• Autonomic neuropathy affects areas of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the heart, bladder, and stomach. This system also controls the intestines, sex organs, and eyes. Symptoms may include nausea, low appetite, and bladder problems. Adjusting sight from light to dark might also become difficult. Finally, someone’s sexual response can decrease if the corresponding nerves get damaged.

• Proximal neuropathy affects areas on the torso, such as the abdomen, chest, or hips. Symptoms usually appear on one side of the body, but can, in time, spread to the other side. They include severe pain in the stomach, hips, or thighs. Thigh muscles can also weaken and shrink. 

• Mononeuropathy is a result of damage to a single nerve. Depending on where the affected nerve is, mononeuropathy can be cranial or peripheral. Cranial mononeuropathy can cause problems with vision and eye-aching. It can also lead to facial paralysis on one side. On the other hand, peripheral mononeuropathy usually affects the hands. It can cause weakness and the hands can become numb.

10. The Right Supplements Can Help

Supplements present a safer alternative to the usual medications. It’s because nutritional and vitamin supplements nurture nerve cells and promote nerve health. In this way, they address the causes of neuropathy rather than the symptoms.

An excellent example of a natural remedy is Nervitalize. 

While it's focused on relieving the pain, it also enables the body to combat the symptoms on its own. Rather than just combating the pain, Nervitalize promotes nerve repair. Such remedies are beneficial both immediately and in the long run.

Combating Neuropathy with Success

Nerve damage is a psychological issue as well as physical. When neuropathy manifests, it can shift your everyday life out of balance. 

Yet, there are ways to combat the condition. That’s why detailed knowledge about the causes and symptoms of neuropathy is essential.

Fortunately, there's a reliable remedy to alleviate the pain. With vitamins B1, B6, B12, and D3, Nervitalize will do just that. 

A careful mix of herbs and antioxidants will give you all the benefits with no downsides of prescription medicines.

Change your life for the better today. Visit our website and find the best Nervitalize offer for you.

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