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“Health is a large word. It embraces not the body only, but the mind and spirit as well; …and not today’s pain or pleasure alone, but the whole being and outlook of a man.”- James H. West
What Is Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
Diabetes is one of the most common health conditions that afflicts the population. As a systematic ailment, there are often downstream implications of the disease that are experienced by patients, if they don’t take the necessary precaution to control their diabetes. One such condition is diabetic peripheral neuropathy - a nerve damage induction that can be potentially serious if not managed. As the nervous system is compromised, the patients with peripheral neuropathy will experience symptoms such as loss of feeling in their extremities (arms and legs) and because they can’t feel, they can often develop cuts or ulcers on the skin as they go about their daily activities. The parts of the body affected by diabetic neuropathy are often the arms, hands, legs and feet. Statistically, up to 70% of all diabetics eventually do develop peripheral neuropathy. The extremes of the condition are dependent on the patient and their lifestyle.
All health conditions can be managed with the appropriate internal chemistry. Medical research has indicated that diabetics who manage their blood sugar levels well, can avoid or minimise the odds of even developing peripheral neuropathy. Via the right diet, the peak states of health will be achieved.
Three different groups of nerves can be affected by diabetic neuropathy[1]:
Sensory nerves, which enable people to feel pain, temperature and other sensations
Motor nerves, which control the muscles and give them their strength and tone
Autonomic nerves, which allow the body to perform certain involuntary functions, such as sweating
With all systematic conditions, there is always a delay between the onset and the full development of peripheral neuropathy. In some instances, there are some patients who have had peripheral neuropathy before they even had diabetes. The fusion of the two conditions is what patients need to be careful of.
What causes Diabetic Neuropathy?
With diabetic neuropathy, there is a direct correlation between the extent of diabetic neuropathy and the management of critical diabetic parameters such as blood sugar levels. Although there’s no 100% guarantee that you won’t develop diabetic peripheral neuropathy if you stay in a good health care regime, the odds will significantly be higher, and you will achieve your peak longevity as a diabetic patient. With the onset of high blood sugar levels, the blood vessel impact from the internal chemistry is what will affect the nervous system.
Anticipated symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy include[1]:
Deformities (such as bunions or hammertoes) resulting from motor neuropathy may cause shoes to rub against toes, creating a sore. The numbness caused by sensory neuropathy can make the patient unaware that this is happening.
Because of numbness, a patient may not realize that s/he has stepped on a small object and cut the skin.
Cracked skin caused by autonomic neuropathy, combined with sensory neuropathy’s numbness and problems associated with motor neuropathy, can lead to developing a sore.
Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy[1]:
For sensory neuropathy:
Numbness or tingling in the feet
Pain or discomfort in the feet or legs, including prickly, sharp pain or burning feet
For motor neuropathy:
Muscle weakness and loss of muscle tone in the feet and lower legs
Loss of balance
Changes in foot shape that can lead to areas of increased pressure
For autonomic neuropathy:
Dry feet
Cracked skin
With appropriate discussions, your orthopaedic surgeon will be able to determine if you have diabetic peripheral neuropathy. As an anticipated condition, there will be routine practices that will be incorporated into your healthcare routine that will indicate if you’re developing this condition, or are stable. The first stages of treatment will involve the management and control of the patient's blood sugar level. Based on the aforementioned correlation, it will be important to monitor this parameter for an indication of internal health. Medications for pain are prescribed according to the symptoms that the patients are experiencing. Physical exercise, and consultation with individuals such as physiotherapists, will facilitate the management of body circulation.
DAILY FOOT INSPECTION
As a start, you can consult with your orthopaedic surgeon to identify what items will be beneficial to your at home foot care kit. This is a great option, if you’re diabetic, and need to inspect your feet regularly, preferably on a daily basis. Instead of foot inspection feeling like a chore, it will feel like a luxury and you’ll want to do it. If you can, as a diabetic, indulge in the following:
Foot Spa: With a wide range of options from the super affordable to the super luxe, it is possible to purchase for yourself an at home foot massager. With this massager, you can facilitate the massaging of your feet, and improve the circulation through your entire feet and ankles. The soothing warm water will relax both your feet and your mind. Interestingly, if you really want to go low budget, you can add some dish washing liquid to your water. The agent is antimicrobial and moisturizing. Additionally, you can purchase foot soaks from your local pharmacy or beauty supply store. Jazz up the experience with a little lavender soak, and you’ll be healing and relaxing at the same time.
Epsom Salts: The versatility of Epsom Salts cannot be stated enough. From an internal perspective, it is the perfect body detox for your liver. If you ever feel your energy levels on a low, it may be that your body is toxic. Toxicity is induced by the ingestion of preservatives with time. You can either detox via internal ingestion of the salts, or you can detox via the osmosis process. In your foot spa, or a basin, you can create a salt solution. Fill the bath just about half way, and add half a cup of Epsom salts. If you have any blisters, they will heal with time. Additionally, via osmosis, with a concentrated salt solution, you can detox as the salts in the water will pull toxins from your body through the pores in the soles of your feet. The soles of your feet are actually very sensitive and porus.
Foot Scrub: After you have soaked your feet, you can facilitate exfoliation by using a foot scrub to massage the feet. You can create your own scrub via a mixture of coffee (after you’ve percolated it and have the ground coffee left over), coconut oil and brown sugar. Apply gently, and let the scrub nourish your feet.
Foot Cream: With aromatherapy becoming more mainstream, you can actually determine what scents to apply to your feet in order to give yourself a boost. If you’re heading to sleep you can apply a lavender lotion. These are very inexpensive and you can find them in your local pharmacy, near to lotions and candles. If you want to energize your body, you can actually apply an invigorating scent like a mint or citrus scent that will energize the senses once they are stimulated.
Once you are finished, you can simply go through the process of either placing your feet into socks, or if you’re heading out for the day into your favorite comfortable sandals.
With all health concerns, prevention and maintenance is better than cure. Take the time to actually investigate the conditions that induce diabetic neuropathy. Where possible, with an appropriate health care plan, you will achieve your peak health.
References:
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/diabetic-peripheral-neuropathy
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/peripheral-neuropathy-risk-factors-symptoms
