Diabetic neuropathy refers to nerve damage caused by diabetes. Almost half of the people who are diagnosed with diabetes have some form of diabetic neuropathy that can lead to more problems. Those who have been diabetic for a long time are more prone to this disease. Spine Center of Texas advises you to always make sure your blood glucose levels are within normal range. Doing so can help delay and even prevent damaging your nerves. If you already have diabetic neuropathy, don’t despair. There are treatments that can help:
- Make sure your blood glucose levels are within the right range – Good old meal planning, exercise, and medication can do wonders in helping you reach your target range. To keep track of your blood glucose levels, you can use a blood glucose meter for day-to-day care and have an A1C test at least twice a year. Closely monitoring your blood glucose levels will help you gauge if your care plan is working.
- Immediately report symptoms of diabetic neuropathy – Getting early treatment helps prevent bigger problems later on. This means that you should always opt to get treatment as soon as you see problems. For example, you can even prevent leg amputation if you deal with a simple foot infection early on. This means taking good care of your feet every day – checking for any bumps, dry skin, red areas and even ingrown toenails, applying lotion on your feet, wearing shoes and socks, washing your feet with warm water, and drying them afterwards. These little things can make a whole lot of difference.
Sometimes diabetic neuropathy can become too advanced. Some patients complain about a burning pain in a “stocking glove” pattern over the feet and lower legs. At this stage, a more advanced treatment with a spinal cord stimulator may be needed for long-term pain control. Don’t hesitate to visit Spine Center of Texas to learn about more treatment options for diabetic neuropathy. Let us help you get started on the road to recovery!
