It’s like the saying, “the squeaky wheel gets the oil.” And when it comes to diabetic nerve pain, it can definitely get your attention.
Diabetic nerve pain or the medical term, diabetic neuropathy, is one of the most painful complications of type 2 diabetes.
Some of the doctors that I work with have actually said that if type 2 diabetes hurt, people would probably control their blood sugar better.
For many, high blood sugar often times doesn’t present any symptoms at all. And the way it normally works in life, is those things that actually hurt or cause discomfort get more attention than those that you don’t notice.
So in this article, I’m going to explain nerve pain with type 2 diabetes and ways to reduce or prevent it.
Diabetic Nerve Pain Explained
Diabetic nerve pain or diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused as a result of high blood sugar levels.
High blood sugar reduces blood flow, which causes damage to the blood vessels in your body. Usually this is the case for your extremities such as your hands and feet. These are the outermost areas which take longer to get blood to.
As your blood sugar remains elevated the blood vessels become damaged and less blood flows to your nerves starving them of the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive.
This leads to a loss of nerve fibers. And as you lose more and more nerve fibers this leads to increased symptoms of nerve pain.
This is one of the big reasons why it is so important that you get your feet checked regularly with type 2 diabetes because untreated cuts, blisters, and breaks in the skin can all lead to foot ulcers and worse, amputations.
Amputations are one of the most severe consequences of uncontrolled diabetic nerve damage.
Diabetic Nerve Pain Symptoms
Here are some common symptoms of nerve damage to look out for:
- Burning, stabbing pains, tingling
- Shooting or stinging
- Numbness
- Injuries that are painless and you can’t feel, loss of sensation
- Ulcers, foot deformities
These are important symptoms to look out for because nerve damage can occur gradually and sneak up on you.
How To Prevent or Reduce Diabetic Nerve Pain
The most effective way to reduce diabetic nerve pain or prevent it is by tightly controlling your blood sugar.
You’ll also want to:
- Inspect your feet regularly to identify any unnoticed damage to your feet
- Maintain a healthy weight and exercise on a regular basis
- Live a healthy lifestyle where you allow your nerves to get the nutrients they need for repair
Prior to using this material please consult with your physician.