Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy:Part III Prevention
Prevention is an act of stopping something from happening and cure is something that solves an illness or problem. In medical science it is said prevention is better than cure.It is better to stop something bad from happening than it is to deal with it after it has happened.
Meaning of prevention: Prevention is better than cure meaning of phrase in England.
The phrase 'prevention is better than cure' is often attributed to the Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus in around 1500. It is now a fundamental principle of modern health care and inherent within health and social care strategies across the UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales).
Taking precautions to avoid getting a disease, or even mildly sick, is much better than having to go and find a cure for that disease or illness.
In this article we are studying- how diabetic peripheral neuropathy can be prevented?
The 60 to 70% diabetic patients often suffer from peripheral neuropathy.The
warning signs and symptoms are as follows:
Below are listed some of the most common symptoms experienced by patients suffering from neuropathy located in their arms, hands, legs and feet:
(1) burning pain radiating in hands or feet
(2) pins and needles in the extremities
(3) numbness and tingling
(4) weakness in arms and legs
(5) a knotted feeling in the soles and palms
(6) pain from the lightest touches
(7) difficulty walking
(8) pain from the pressure of walking
(9) balance problems
(19) inability to grasp with the hands
(11) cramping of the feet
(12) fingers twisting and locking
(13) pain when twisting the wrists
(14) hands and feet feeling tired or heavy
(15) night pain and
(16) sleep difficulty
(17) restless legs and feet pain that seems to come even from the sheets or covers on your feet at night.
Neuropathy pain tends to be worse at night. This makes it difficult to get a full night’s sleep which can lead to other health problems and increase in pain and other symptoms.
Diabetes patients are the most common cause of people seeking treatment for numbness in feet as a result of peripheral neuropathy. It is estimated that between 60-70% of patients with diabetes will develop peripheral neuropathy from elevated blood sugar causing peripheral nerve damage due to decreased blood circulation.
People who have damaged their nerves from chemotherapy or radiation treatments, medications, industrial toxins, military toxins, high blood sugar and alcohol are also at high risk.
Prevention of Diabetic neuropathy:
Diabetic neuropathy can be largely prevented by maintaining blood glucose levels within the normal range and lifestyle modifications.The techniques to control high level of blood glucose include more frequent subcutaneous insulin administration, continuous insulin infusion, oral antidiabetic drugs, while lifestyle modifications may include exercise alone, or in combination with modification in diet. Enhanced glucose control prevents the development of clinical neuropathy and reduces nerve abnormalities in type 1 diabetes, and delays the onset of neuropathy in both type I and type II
diabetes. However, such methods may increase the likelihood of experiencing a hypoglycemic event, and many of these more aggressive methods require more frequent insulin use which has been associated with excessive risk of falls particularly in the elderly persons.
Stringent control of blood glucose may lead to hypoglycemia.Hypoglycemia is a condition in which your blood sugar (glucose) level is lower than the standard range. Glucose is your body's main energy source. Hypoglycemia is often related to diabetes treatment.
Common causes of diabetic hypoglycemia include: Taking too much insulin or diabetes medication. Not eating enough. Postponing or skipping a meal or snack.
A low blood sugar level, or hypo, can also happen while you're sleeping. This may cause you to wake up during the night or cause headaches, tiredness or damp sheets (from sweat) in the morning.
From milder, more common indicators to most severe, signs and symptoms of low blood glucose ( hypoglycemia) include:
Feeling shaky.
Being nervous or anxious.
Sweating, chills and clamminess.
Irritability or impatience.
Confusion.
Fast heartbeat.
Feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
Hunger.
Remember the phrase "Prevention is better than Cure."World Health organization (WHO)
Author:Dr. Bhairavsinh Raol
