Diabetes Neuropathy- An OverviewThe damage that occurs to nerves because of diabetes is known as diabetes neuropathy. The cause of it is yet not very clear. However, hyperglycemia (high level of blood sugar) due to diabetes affects the nerve cell metabolism adversely and thereby reduces blood flow to the nerves. Diabetes can affect three types of nerve cells in the human body. These three types include motor cells, sensory cells, and autonomic cells. Motor cells are responsible for controlling movement through contracting muscles. Sensory cells detect sensation felt due to cold, heat and pain. Autonomic cells regulate special functions such as digestion and heart rate. Generally, diabetic neuropathy affects the nerves in the legs. This is known as peripheral neuropathy. This diabetic peripheral neuropathy DPN causes problems in the foot. It mainly affects sensory nerves. However, motor or autonomic nerves can also be affected. When this happens, it can lead to important consequences. Diabetes neuropathy can result in two mutually contradictory sets of problems. Some patients of diabetes neuropathy are affected by one of the two problems. Others can be affected by both of them. The two problems respectively involve loss of pain sensation that easily leads to neuropathic ulceration and discomfort causing burning, pain, and a sensation of pins and needles that causes numbness. In view of the loss of pain sensation, diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients exert pressure under the foot at a particular spot while they walk. This builds a callus (corn) at the site of the pressure concentration. There is no discomfort. However, the pressure at the spot becomes so high that it causes ulceration and breakdown of tissues. Neuropathic ulcers occur at the tips of toes and the bottom of feet, are typically surrounded by callus, are painless, and are associated with good foot pulses. This last is because the blood circulation is normal. Sometimes some diabetic neuropathy patients develop ulcers at other locations on the foot. This generally occurs because the footwear is tight. This can happen if the straps are too tight. Diabetic neuropathy patients are at risk of developing a foot ulcer if they have already had one earlier. The risk is also accentuated because of substantial loss of sensation in the foot. The risk also increases if patients disregard hygiene and also if they wear ill-fitting footwear. Further, the fact that there is no sensation of pain in feet does not mean that the patients are at less risk of developing ulcers. Vice versa is also true. This means that if patients are sensing pain in their feet, it cannot be directly deduced that ulceration will follow. So, treatment for ulceration depends upon the type of neuropathy and the condition of patients. There is no cure for diabetic neuropathy. In view of this, treatment for the condition involves administering antibiotics and pain relievers to patients. Acupuncture, massage, and exercise may also help. Diabetes Neuropathy Links Privacy Policy Contact Legal Disclaimer |