For the 38.4 million Americans who have diabetes, the chronic condition is a year-round concern and management effort. That said, November is National Diabetes Month in the United States, which presents a great opportunity for us to discuss one of the biggest challenges that comes with diabetes — nerve damage.
Medically known as diabetic peripheral neuropathy, the team of pain management specialists at Johnston Pain Management has a good deal of experience helping patients manage the pain and discomfort that often comes with nerve damage. During the course of our work, we’ve learned a few important things about diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy that we want to share here.
The first thing we want to draw your attention to is the fact that peripheral neuropathy affects about half of people with diabetes, making it one of the most prevalent complications of the disease.
This nerve damage occurs due to higher-than-normal blood glucose levels, caused by a lack of insulin and insulin resistance. These elevated blood sugar levels can trigger chemical changes that affect nerve function, and they can also damage the delicate blood vessels that supply your nerves, leading to malfunction.
This damage tends to occur in your lower legs and feet, and it can also develop in your arms and hands.
The symptoms that are associated with peripheral neuropathy can vary. When the damage occurs in sensory nerves, you can experience:
This pain is often described as burning, shooting, or stabbing, which are all incredibly uncomfortable sensations, to be sure.
During the early stages, diabetic peripheral neuropathy might not seem all that serious, as you’re only dealing with a few patches of numbness in your feet. Unfortunately, if your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed, pain can set in, as well as further, and very serious complications.
About one-third of people with diabetes develop diabetic foot ulcers, and half of these foot ulcers become infected thanks to circulatory issues. Going a step further, about 20% of these infections eventually end in either partial or total amputation.
So, it very much pays to stay one step ahead of diabetes and nerve damage by managing your glucose levels through insulin therapies, alongside lifestyle changes — mainly eating better and exercising more.
As you actively work to stay on top of your diabetes through glucose management and lifestyle changes, we can help with any pain you’re struggling with because of the nerve damage.
As a practice devoted to making patients more comfortable, we have an impressive arsenal of treatments for peripheral neuropathy, including:
If you’re dealing with pain due to diabetes-related nerve damage, we invite you to contact us at one of our three conveniently located offices in Jacksonville, Hampstead, or New Bern, North Carolina, to schedule an appointment with one of our peripheral neuropathy experts.
