Peripheral Neuropathy: Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes. The nerve damage can lead to decreased sensation to the skin, decreased strength to the muscles, and decreased autonomic responses such as sweating. The condition often affects the hands and feet, thus the alternative name of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Diabetic neuropathy is a condition that develops and worsens overtime due to the elevated blood glucose level. Because of the diminished sensation to the hands and feet, patients often can develop skin ulcerations that can lead to infection. Other deformities of the foot that can result due to diabetic neuropathy include bunions, hammertoes, numbness, and cracked skins.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy can be categorized into 3 broad types; affecting the sensation, the muscle movements, and involuntary controls. Patients with diabetic neuropathy can experience numbness and tingling in the foot. As the disease progresses, some patients will experience pain, such as sharp and shooting pain. Some patients also experience weakness and loss of muscle tone in the lower extremities. Oftentimes, imbalance during walking will result. Lastly, patients will develop dry feet, with cracked skin due to decreased autonomic control (involuntary control).
Diagnosis:
A complete history and physical examination can be useful in identifying diabetic neuropathy. The specific type of symptoms can differentiate diabetic neuropathy from other nerve injuries. Tests to assess the presence of proper sensation in the foot is important. Reflex, and ability to feel vibration can be incorporated into the testing as well.
Treatment:
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for daibetic neuropathy, as the nerve damage is permanent. However, to prevent worsening of the symptoms, blood glucose control is vital. Symptom relief can be achieved through medication, or a combination of medications. For muscle weakness due to neuropathy, physical therapy can be helpful.
To prevent development of ulcerations and associated infections, keep blood sugar level under control, wear well fitted shoes, inspect feet everyday, and have regular appointments with your physician for foot assessment.
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes. The nerve damage can lead to decreased sensation to the skin, decreased strength to the muscles, and decreased autonomic responses such as sweating. The condition often affects the hands and feet, thus the alternative name of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Diabetic neuropathy is a condition that develops and worsens overtime due to the elevated blood glucose level. Because of the diminished sensation to the hands and feet, patients often can develop skin ulcerations that can lead to infection. Other deformities of the foot that can result due to diabetic neuropathy include bunions, hammertoes, numbness, and cracked skins.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy can be categorized into 3 broad types; affecting the sensation, the muscle movements, and involuntary controls. Patients with diabetic neuropathy can experience numbness and tingling in the foot. As the disease progresses, some patients will experience pain, such as sharp and shooting pain. Some patients also experience weakness and loss of muscle tone in the lower extremities. Oftentimes, imbalance during walking will result. Lastly, patients will develop dry feet, with cracked skin due to decreased autonomic control (involuntary control).
Diagnosis:
A complete history and physical examination can be useful in identifying diabetic neuropathy. The specific type of symptoms can differentiate diabetic neuropathy from other nerve injuries. Tests to assess the presence of proper sensation in the foot is important. Reflex, and ability to feel vibration can be incorporated into the testing as well.
Treatment:
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for daibetic neuropathy, as the nerve damage is permanent. However, to prevent worsening of the symptoms, blood glucose control is vital. Symptom relief can be achieved through medication, or a combination of medications. For muscle weakness due to neuropathy, physical therapy can be helpful.
To prevent development of ulcerations and associated infections, keep blood sugar level under control, wear well fitted shoes, inspect feet everyday, and have regular appointments with your physician for foot assessment.