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Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that occurs in people with diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage nerves throughout the body, but in the case of diabetic neuropathy, the most common, it relates to the nerves in the legs and feet.
Depending on the affected nerves of diabetic neuropathy may occur pain, numbness of the limbs, gastrointestinal problems, ailments of the urinary tract or in the cardiovascular system. In some cases, the disease manifests itself gently, in others, it is painful and even deadly.
The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is divided into several types. Most often they develop gradually, so often a problem is noticed at a very advanced stage. The symptoms vary with the kind of neuropathy, or from, which the disease affects the nerves.
It is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy, in which the first symptoms can be observed on the feet, hands and arms. The symptoms often worsen at night, and can be:
- numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes,
- tingling or burning,
- sharp pains or cramps,
- increased sensitivity to the touch – in some cases even the sheet is a painful burden,
- muscle weakness,
- loss of reflexes – especially around the ankles,
- problems with balance and coordination,
- serious foot problems as ulcers, infections, deformities in the bones and joints.
This is the type of diabetic neuropathy, which is responsible for the nerves controlling the nervous system of the heart, bladder, lung, stomach, intestine, genital organs or the eyes. Diabetes affecting the nerves of these areas can result in:
- lack of awareness that the level in the blood is low (hypoglycemia unconscious)
- bladder problems, including recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary retention or stool, constipation, diarrhea or an uncontrolled combination of several of them,
- slow emptying of the stomach, leading to nausea, vomiting, bloating and loss of appetite,
- difficulty in swallowing,
- erectile dysfunction in men
- vaginal dryness and other sexual problems in women
- increased or decreased sweating,
- difficulties in stabilizing in blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to sudden pressure drop resulting in fainting or dizziness,
- difficulty maintaining normal body temperature,
- changes in vision,
- increased heart rate during a resting state.
It is a kind of diabetic neuropathy, which affects the nerves of the thighs, hips, buttocks and legs. This type of disease is more common in people with type 2 diabetes and the elderly. Symptoms usually occur in the one part of the body, but there are cases in which it affects the entire body. It is characterized by:
- sudden, severe pain in the hips, thighs or buttocks,
- weakness and atrophy of the leg muscles,
- difficulties in maintaining a sitting position,
- abdominal swelling – when it affects the surrounding area,
- weight loss.
It is a kind of neuropathy, in which the disease attacks locally such as in the optic nerves, the nerve of the face or body. It often occurs suddenly and affects mostly older people. It may be painful, but it does not cause any long-term problems – it usually disappears after a few weeks or months. Its symptoms include:
- difficulty concentrating vision, double vision, pain in one eye,
- paralysis of one side of the face,
- pain point in different parts of the body (shin, foot, pelvis, chest, etc.).
Sometimes this type of disease occurs when the nerve is compressed – as in carpal tunnel syndrome.
The causes of diabetic neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is caused by too much time exposure to of nerves to the high concentration of sugar in the blood – the delicate nerve fibers are damaged at the time. It is connected with complex interactions between the nerves and blood vessels. High blood sugar, also interferes with the ability of the nerves to transmit signals, as well as impedes the transport of oxygen and nutrients.
Other factors include:
- nerve inflammation caused by the autoimmune response (when the body attacks healthy cells),
- the genetic factors not related to diabetes
- smoking and alcohol abuse, which can damage nerves and blood vessels, increasing the risk of infection.
The risk of neuropathy increases the wrong control of blood sugar, more advanced diabetes, kidney disease and obesity.
Diabetic neuropathy may result in:
- loss of a limb,
- serious diseases of the joints,
- infections and diseases of the urinary tract,
- a low pressure,
- gastrointestinal problems like.
The treatment of diabetic neuropathy is focused on slowing the progression of the disease, pain relief, and management of complications of the disease, and restore a disturbed function of the body.
It is important to:
- guarding the appropriate level of blood sugar,
- attention to diet and physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight,
- break with addictions like alcohol and cigarettes,
- hygiene care of infected sites,
- adherence to medical recommendations, including appropriate use of medicines.