Diabetic Neuropathy / Foot Neuropathy & Magnetic Products

• General Diabetic Neuropathy Information
• Possible Causes of Diabetic Neuropathy
• Possible Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy
• Possible Lifestyle Changes for Diabetic Neuropathy
• Conclusions from Multiple Scientific Studies on Pain Reduction

General Diabetic Neuropathy Information
Diabetic neuropathy is one of various complications associated with diabetes. It is a progressive disease that may lead to loss of some nerve functions and other related health problems. Although diabetic neuropathy can affect nerves that control the activities of the heart, blood vessels, glands and smooth muscle, this is rarely a major problem. The peripheral nervous system is most commonly affected, therefore diabetic neuropathy is also referred to as peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a generic phrase for functional disturbances and/or pathological changes in the peripheral nervous system - nerves that extend to the extremities, such as the feet and hands. An estimated 20 to 40% of people with diabetes develop neuropathy, but this may be an under-estimation, as half of those affected remain undiagnosed.

Possible Causes of Diabetic Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is caused by diabetes and is thought to be related to poor control of blood sugar levels and hyperglycaemia. The higher the blood sugar level and the longer it remains above the norm (non-fasting, 10mmol/L) the more severe the disease. The precise mechanisms that link raised blood sugar to nerve damage still need to be established and other factors, such as abnormalities in nerve growth factors or the effects of cardiovascular disease, have also been suggested as important contributory factors.

Up to 10% of those affected with diabetic neuropathy will experience persistent neuropathic pain that may include dysthesias (unusual sensations in response to stimulation e.g touch). The biggest worry however is the high incidence of foot problems, manifested in the so-called 'diabetic foot'.

Due to loss of sensation in the feet, those with diabetic neuropathy are more likely to suffer from recurrent foot ulceration, (foot ulcers) infections and soft tissue damage, which if unsuccessfully treated may necessitate amputation due to the onset of gangrene. It is estimated that approximately 15% of the 150 million people with diabetes world-wide will at some stage develop diabetic foot ulceration as a result of neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease. Diabetic foot care is an important focus in the management of diabetes. All diabetic patients are advised to pay particular attention to foot care to minimize the risk of developing infections, trauma or ulceration.

In diabetes the lower limbs are most commonly affected. As the neuropathy affects sensory nerves, loss of sensation is a predominant symptom, however many patients may remain asymptomatic throughout.

Possible Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy
The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy vary depending on the location and types of nerves affected. A significant proportion of people may not experience any symptoms until they have developed further complications. However one of the first signs of diabetic neuropathy is numbness, tingling, burning or pain in the feet and ankles. These symptoms are often worse at rest or at night. Some people may experience impairment or loss of reflexes and/or muscle weakness or paralysis. These symptoms may also be present in the hands and arms.

The loss or alteration of sensory function in the feet and hands can make manual tasks difficult due to diminished dexterity, sense of touch and feeling and walking may be difficult associated with unsteadiness.

Specific motor dysfunction is less commonly affected than sensory function, but may be manifested in the lower limbs by weakness and specific nerves might be involved leading to foot drop. The combination of mild motor weakness and also a loss of appreciation of position may lead to difficulties in walking.

Possible Lifestyle Changes for Diabetic Neuropathy
Early and prompt treatment may prevent diabetic neuropathy from developing further; but the longer the condition remains undetected the more permanent the neuropathic damage. The first priority is to control blood sugar to near-normal levels. Eat a healthy diet, exercise and stop smoking to reduce risk. See a doctor for regular evaluation. A variety of pain management techniques can be used for neuropathic pain but because the pain produced is complex due to disturbed nerve function, it may not be possible to remove pain completely. Pain management is therefore aimed at reducing the pain as much as possible and techniques are often employed to improve the sufferer’s ability to cope with the remaining pain. When pain cannot be relieved with standard analgesics, sufferers of painful diabetic neuropathy may need to be referred to a specialist pain clinic thereby gaining access to the services of a multidisciplinary team. Insulin and drug therapies are often effective.