Diabetic Nerve Pain: Care for Your Hands And Feet

Introduction

What does “Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy” or “Diabetic Nerve Pain” mean?

Peripheral diabetic neuropathy is nerve discomfort associated with diabetes, as the name suggests. Those with diabetes are all too aware of the needle-like discomfort shooting through our bodies and a burning feeling in their hands and feet. The tingling or pain becomes worse over time and may spread to the arms and legs.

Diabetic neuropathy is the medical term for this illness. If diabetes is not successfully controlled, it can have long-term effects throughout your body. To help diabetics with this chronic pain condition, many institutions in Michigan are conducting Clinical research in Internal Medicine.

Diabetic Nerve Pain – What Is It?

This is a very common issue with diabetics. It is mostly caused by poor blood sugar management, and it can take years to develop. Initially, a person may not feel any sensation or symptoms, but gradually they will start noticing tingling and numbness in their feet. Eventually, this may lead to pain which often worsens at night.

Nerve discomfort may make even the most basic tasks extremely unpleasant. This type of nerve injury is irreversible, however, controlling blood sugar levels can help.

Diabetic nerve discomfort, often known as “nerve damage,” is caused by an injury or a disease. A lack of blood flow to the affected nerves causes permanent and persistent pain.

Diabetes is caused by insufficient insulin production in the body. What exactly is insulin? It’s a hormone that the pancreas produces. Insulin’s job is to assist cells in converting glucose (sugar) from meals into energy.

If there is too much sugar in the blood, it can cause a variety of health problems. Diabetic nerve pain, which affects the kidneys, heart, nerves, and eyes, is commonly, initially detected in the feet and legs.

Diabetes hurts the body. In the United States, there are as many as 29 million individuals with diabetes, of which more than 8 million are either unaware of their illness or have yet to be diagnosed.

What are the Causes?

The causes of diabetic nerve injury are the same regardless of whatever type(s) it is.

Diabetic neuropathy is caused by excessive blood sugar (blood glucose) and blood triglycerides (a form of fat or lipid), according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Glucose and triglycerides induce diabetic neuropathy with the pain following in either of the two ways.

1. Nerve damage caused by excessive glucose and lipid levels.
2. Damage to tiny blood vessels because of excess glucose in the circulation. This lowers blood flow throughout the body and oxygen and nutrition availability to cells, preventing healthy healing.

Who is at Chance for Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy affects more than half of all diabetics at some point. If blood glucose levels are not kept within target ranges, people are more prone to develop nerve damage and feel diabetic nerve pain. The following factors may contribute to the development of Diabetic Neuropathy:

• Having had diabetes for a long time, or are an older adult.
• Being overweight or obese, and have hypertension or high cholesterol.
• Smoking, or drinking too much alcohol.
• Suffering from renal disease.

Signs to Note

Following are some of the most prevalent signs of diabetic nerve pain:

1. Numbness
2. Pain that is sharp and intense.
3. Pins and needles sensations
4. Ulcers or blister
5. Touch sensitivity
6. Pain that tingles or stabs

Muscle Pain or Diabetic Neuropathy?

Both varieties of pain are the body’s way of alerting toward a problem. Muscle pain is a protective type of pain brought on by a specific event such as an injury or inflammation. The wounded muscle nerve informs the brain that it has been harmed though this can improve with time if you limit your activity.

Nerve pain is a less protective type of pain that develops when the nerves are injured by disorders like diabetes. This type of discomfort indicates that feet or hands’ nerves have been injured. Limiting or rotating activities will not eliminate this sort of discomfort, but it can be managed.         

What to do in Diabetic Nerve Pain?

The symptoms of diabetic nerve pain can be treated, even though the condition cannot be cured. Here are some approaches for pain management:

CONTROLLING BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS:

The first step in treating diabetic nerve pain is to keep blood sugar levels under control. Nerve injury and peripheral diabetic neuropathy can result from uncontrolled diabetes. Patients who control their blood sugar levels report that their lives have improved because of the lessened pain.

EXERCISE:

Regular exercise promotes blood circulation in the body, helping it maintain a healthy weight while keeping blood sugar levels appropriate, and increasing body strength and mobility. Recent research suggests that regular exercise might aid with nerve pain relief and epidermal nerve branching. Walking regularly can help relieve nerve discomfort. To relieve diabetic nerve pain, patients must walk regularly. Exercise not only aids in these areas but also improves pain tolerance.

WARM WATER TREATMENT:

This is a good way to relieve pain in many parts of the body. A warm water bath can help relieve diabetic nerve discomfort and increase blood circulation in the legs and skin.

NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS:

Treatments including oils such as essential oils can also assist in reducing discomfort. These contain anti-inflammatory qualities and have been shown to lessen inflammation and decrease discomfort. The oil derived from the plant is high in omega-6 fatty acids, which aid in nerve growth and hence pain reduction.

EAT A NUTRITIOUS DIET:

If someone experiences peripheral diabetic neuropathy, must eat well and keep blood sugar levels in check. Individuals will need to consume a fiber-rich, nutritious diet to do this.

Diabetic nerve pain, in its many forms, can be treated when it is still in its early stages. If your discomfort is extreme, a Medical Physician may provide medicated diabetic therapies to ease the problem.

Which Medications are required to Treat Nerve Pain? 

1. The most common medicine used to treat nerve pain is antidepressants because they interfere with the chemicals in the brain that causes pain.
2. Opioid-like medicines with a higher efficacy can treat significantly more severe pain. However, they are usually only used as a last option for pain treatment if other therapies aren’t working. However, due to the potential for addiction and negative effects, these medicines aren’t designed for long usage.
3. Lidocaine patches are a type of pain reliever that is applied to the skin.
4. Drugs used to treat epilepsy can also be used to treat nerve pain. These medications can also help for better sleep.

Conclusion

Diabetic nerve pain varies from person to person depending on the extent of nerve damage. Getting a good night’s sleep might be challenging for individuals who have a sensitivity to touch. Even the bedsheets may appear to be thick and unpleasant to lay down on.

If you have trouble standing or walking, don’t be surprised. You could also have trouble picking up a spoon or fork to consume your meal, or you might drop things frequently. The majority of this is due to diabetic nerve discomfort.

It’s critical to keep an eye on your feet and hands if you have any difficulty feeling at all. It might be difficult to tell if something you’re holding is hot or cold at times.

If you’re suffering from nerve discomfort and you don’t want to burn or injure yourself any further. Our Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy Clinical Trials may be able to help you with this chronic pain condition associated with diabetes.

Also Read: How to Get the Most Out of Your Doctor’s Appointment