Nerve damage caused by diabetes, called diabetic peripheral neuropathy, may present with pain, tingling and numbness, especially in the hands and feet. The resulting discomfort can affect a patient’s mood, sleep, and overall quality of life.
Prescription medications are effective for these symptoms. However, studies have shown that they only reduce pain by about 30% to 50%. So what can be done to make up for the lack of prescription medications? Learn about the following ways to help patients prevent their condition from getting worse.
Control your blood sugar
If diabetes is not controlled, a person’s blood sugar levels can become too high. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the patient’s peripheral nerves. These nerves connect the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body, which sets the stage for diabetic neuropathy.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, keeping blood sugar in a healthy range (glycosylated hemoglobin of 7% or lower) can reduce the risk of nerve damage by 60%. “Healthy blood glucose levels slow the progression of diabetic neuropathy and relieve patients’ pain,” said Aaron I. Vinik, MD, chief of the Division of Neuroendocrinology at Eastern Virginia Medical School.
What should patients do to control their blood sugar? First, talk to your doctor. “A rapid drop in blood sugar levels can actually make the pain worse,” Aaron said. Doctors can offer suggestions to ease patients’ blood sugar levels down into a healthy range, such as:
- Dietary advice. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole grains, moderate amounts of fish, poultry, nuts and legumes and very small amounts of red meat.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Manage stress intensity.
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes at a time, 5 days a week.
If your doctor prescribes medication to control blood sugar, take it as prescribed.
Use over-the-counter pain medications
Kimberly Sackheim, a clinical assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine at a U.S. rehabilitation center, said acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen can relieve mild as well as moderate pain caused by diabetic nerve damage. But if patients want to take them regularly, consult a doctor,” she adds. That’s because some of these drugs may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke or kidney damage.”
Intake vitamin D
Skin exposed to sunlight produces vitamin D, and vitamin D protects against nerve pain. When researchers at the University of Sheffield in the UK studied people with diabetic neuropathy, they found that people with lower levels of vitamin D in their bodies also had more pain.
The body normally needs 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D per day, but it is difficult to get it from food alone, so supplementation is needed. in fact, one study found that people with diabetic neuropathy who took a vitamin D supplement once a week had less pain after 2 months of taking it.
Stop smoking
“Smoking causes blood vessels to constrict, which impairs circulation,” Kimberly said. This means that smokers have less nutrient-rich blood available to peripheral nerves, which can lead to more pain.
Try vitamin B complex
B complex vitamins play an important role in nerve health, and not getting enough vitamin B12 can lead to nerve damage. Vitamin B6 is also important because it helps the brain produce certain chemicals that carry messages in the body, and low levels of these chemicals can worsen pain, Kimberly said.
Most people can get enough vitamin B through food, and some studies have shown that supplements can help reduce pain and other symptoms, but patients need to consult their doctors about whether they should take supplements.
Take a warm bath
Warm water not only relaxes the body, but it also improves blood circulation throughout the body. “Warm water can be instantly relaxing,” Aaron says. However, diabetic neuropathy can cause loss of sensation, so make sure the water isn’t too hot before you go in.
Take an alpha-lipoic acid supplement
The body naturally produces small amounts of alpha-lipoic acid antioxidants. When taken in larger doses, it may help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce nerve pain. One study found that patients taking 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid a day had a 19% improvement in diabetic neuropathy symptoms after 5 weeks. Aaron said, “In the long term, alpha-lipoic acid may prevent further nerve damage.”
Starting Exercise
Pain can be reduced by exercising in different ways. Exercise helps control blood sugar levels, which can potentially slow nerve damage. “Exercise also increases blood flow to the arms and legs,” Kimberly says. In addition, exercise improves mood and relieves stress, and patients are better able to cope with pain.
A study at the University of Kansas Medical Center found that if people with diabetic neuropathy exercise regularly, the physical pain no longer gets in the way of daily activities such as work, sleep and interpersonal interactions.
So what are you waiting for? Lace up your sneakers and come exercise! If walking or jogging hurts, try swimming or exercise biking.
Use capsaicin cream
Cayenne pepper may set your mouth on fire, but capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne pepper, will reduce the burning sensation and pain of some nerve injuries. A study published in the journal Pain showed that using a patch containing 8% capsaicin reduced pain levels by 30% after 2 weeks.
Only a doctor can prescribe a higher dose of the patch to a patient. However, studies have shown that low-dose over-the-counter creams containing about 0.1% capsaicin may also be helpful in relieving pain. It reduced pain intensity by 11% compared to placebo creams.
Take care of your feet
“Nerve damage in the feet can cause patients to lose sensation, so when a foot is cut or slashed, the patient may not notice it at the time and not realize it until much later,” Kimberly said. As a result, patients may develop more serious problems with their feet, such as ulcers or infections. To avoid this, Kimberly recommends that patients clean and check their feet every day before bed, and also make sure they wear comfortable shoes, as shoes that are too tight can squeeze the feet and cause them to hurt.
Learn relaxation techniques
“Diabetic neuropathy is associated with anxiety and depression,” Aaron said, “both of which can exacerbate pain levels.” If a patient has this condition, let the doctor know. The doctor will give a medication plan and make the following recommendations for the patient’s condition.
- Biofeedback: In this procedure, a machine monitors the patient’s heart rate, body temperature, and brain waves, which will help the patient learn to control the body’s response to pain or other symptoms.
- Relaxation techniques: such as imagery, breathing, meditation, massage and yoga.
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