PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY: THE SILENT DESTROYER OF NERVES
During my hospital internship, I came across countless diabetes case files.
I noticed a disturbing trend, many patients had foot ulcers, and for some, amputation was the only option.
How can this situation be avoided? x.com
During my hospital internship, I came across countless diabetes case files.
I noticed a disturbing trend, many patients had foot ulcers, and for some, amputation was the only option.
How can this situation be avoided? x.com
Neuropathy simply means nerve damage.
Peripheral neuropathy is the damage of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
It’s divided into;
- Sensory neuropathy
- Autonomic neuropathy
- Motor neuropathy
Sensory neuropathy affects the nerves of the feet and hands.
Peripheral neuropathy is the damage of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
It’s divided into;
- Sensory neuropathy
- Autonomic neuropathy
- Motor neuropathy
Sensory neuropathy affects the nerves of the feet and hands.
Autonomic neuropathy affects the organs and glands, and
Motor neuropathy affects the nerves that control movement.
Nerve damage is a slow process, most people only get diagnosed on presentation.
It can cause severe pain and drastically reduce quality of life.
Motor neuropathy affects the nerves that control movement.
Nerve damage is a slow process, most people only get diagnosed on presentation.
It can cause severe pain and drastically reduce quality of life.
WHAT CAUSES PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY?
While diabetes is the most common cause, several other factors can lead to nerve damage:
- Vitamin deficiencies like B1, B6 and B12
- Alcoholism
- Infections like HIV, shingles and Lyme disease
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis
- Medications like chemotherapy and some antibiotics
- Injury or nerve compression.
However, peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes (Diabetic peripheral neuropathy), is the most common type.
While diabetes is the most common cause, several other factors can lead to nerve damage:
- Vitamin deficiencies like B1, B6 and B12
- Alcoholism
- Infections like HIV, shingles and Lyme disease
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis
- Medications like chemotherapy and some antibiotics
- Injury or nerve compression.
However, peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes (Diabetic peripheral neuropathy), is the most common type.
WHY IS DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY SO DANGEROUS?
Imagine stepping on a sharp object but not feeling it.
Thats what happens when neuropathy sets in.
Over time, numbness plus poor circulation = foot ulcers that don’t heal.
Without proper treatment, these ulcers become infected, leading to gangrene (dead tissue).
At this stage, amputation becomes the only option.
Imagine stepping on a sharp object but not feeling it.
Thats what happens when neuropathy sets in.
Over time, numbness plus poor circulation = foot ulcers that don’t heal.
Without proper treatment, these ulcers become infected, leading to gangrene (dead tissue).
At this stage, amputation becomes the only option.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY?
- Sensory symptoms include:
• Numbness or loss of feeling in the hands and feet
• Burning, tingling or electric shock like pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch (Even bedsheets can hurt)
- Motor symptoms include:
• Muscle weakness (difficulty walking and frequent falls)
• Loss of coordination and balance
- Autonomic symptoms include:
• Dizziness due to changes in blood pressure
• Excessive sweating or inability to sweat
• Bladder or digestive problems (constipation and diarrhea)
If you have diabetes + any of these symptoms, please do not ignore them!
- Sensory symptoms include:
• Numbness or loss of feeling in the hands and feet
• Burning, tingling or electric shock like pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch (Even bedsheets can hurt)
- Motor symptoms include:
• Muscle weakness (difficulty walking and frequent falls)
• Loss of coordination and balance
- Autonomic symptoms include:
• Dizziness due to changes in blood pressure
• Excessive sweating or inability to sweat
• Bladder or digestive problems (constipation and diarrhea)
If you have diabetes + any of these symptoms, please do not ignore them!
CAN PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY BE REVERSED?
Yes, if caught early, some nerve damage can be repaired with the right treatment.
Yes, if caught early, some nerve damage can be repaired with the right treatment.
TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
- Controlling blood sugar: For diabetics, keeping blood sugar stable is the number 1 most effective treatment to further prevent nerve damage.
You can do this by:
- Constantly monitoring your blood sugar
- Following a low glycemic index diet filled with vegetables, healthy fats and lean proteins
- Exercising regularly
- Controlling blood sugar: For diabetics, keeping blood sugar stable is the number 1 most effective treatment to further prevent nerve damage.
You can do this by:
- Constantly monitoring your blood sugar
- Following a low glycemic index diet filled with vegetables, healthy fats and lean proteins
- Exercising regularly
- Nutritional support and B vitamins
Your nerves depend on essential nutrients, especially B vitamins, to stay healthy.
Vitamins and nutrients you need:
- Vitamins B1, B6 and B12
- Alpha-Lipoic acid
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Magnesium
- Vitamin D
You can get these nutrients from food, and check out this thread for more details on B vitamins.
Your nerves depend on essential nutrients, especially B vitamins, to stay healthy.
Vitamins and nutrients you need:
- Vitamins B1, B6 and B12
- Alpha-Lipoic acid
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Magnesium
- Vitamin D
You can get these nutrients from food, and check out this thread for more details on B vitamins.
- Medications for nerve pain:
• Antidepressants eg Duloxetine and Amitriptyline
• Anticonvulsants eg Pregabalin and Gabapentin
• Topical treatments like lidocaine patches.
Most times, NSAIDs don’t work for this kind of pain.
- Exercise and physical therapy
Regular movement prevents muscle weakness, improves circulation and strengthens nerve function.
Recommended exercises include:
• Walking, swimming and cycling
• Balance and coordination exercises like Yoga and Tai chi
• Strength training.
• Antidepressants eg Duloxetine and Amitriptyline
• Anticonvulsants eg Pregabalin and Gabapentin
• Topical treatments like lidocaine patches.
Most times, NSAIDs don’t work for this kind of pain.
- Exercise and physical therapy
Regular movement prevents muscle weakness, improves circulation and strengthens nerve function.
Recommended exercises include:
• Walking, swimming and cycling
• Balance and coordination exercises like Yoga and Tai chi
• Strength training.
HOW TO PREVENT PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Reduce your risk of developing this disease by:
• Quitting smoke
• Reducing intake of alcohol
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Wearing proper footwear
• Inspecting your feet daily (especially if you’re diabetic)
Reduce your risk of developing this disease by:
• Quitting smoke
• Reducing intake of alcohol
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Wearing proper footwear
• Inspecting your feet daily (especially if you’re diabetic)
If you’re diabetic, it’s important to check in with your foot daily.
Check for signs of redness or swelling.
Wash your foot daily and dry well in between the toes.
It’s important to do this to avoid complications and know when something is wrong.
Check for signs of redness or swelling.
Wash your foot daily and dry well in between the toes.
It’s important to do this to avoid complications and know when something is wrong.
Peripheral neuropathy starts small, but can end in amputation if left unchecked.
If you have diabetes, or experience tingling, or pain in your feet, take action now.
- Control your blood sugar
- Get enough B vitamins
- Check your feet daily
A stitch in time saves a limb. 😉
If you have diabetes, or experience tingling, or pain in your feet, take action now.
- Control your blood sugar
- Get enough B vitamins
- Check your feet daily
A stitch in time saves a limb. 😉
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