Diet Can Help In Treating Diabetic Neuropathy

2007-05-02 10:04:19

( Health )



Diabetic neuropathy afflicts many Americans, although the reason for that is not fully understood. Studies have observed though that if you have diabetes, the longer that you have the disease the likelihood of diabetic neuropathy will also increase. Neuropathy is any affliction that affects the nervous system, and diabetic neuropathy is thus a disorder of the nerves resulting from diabetes. There are two basic types of diabetic neuropathy, peripheral and autonomic neuropathy.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy affects mostly the nerves that govern your sensory and motor functions. One effect of peripheral neuropathy damage is in the limbs, and you may suffer foot ulcers as a result. In worse cases, there may be amputations. The American Diabetes Foundation has helped to develop screening procedures to assess and identify your chances of suffering peripheral neuropathy. On an annual basis, you may have to undergo foot examination to assess various aspects, including vascular status and foot structure.

Physicians may treat peripheral neuropathy through strict diets for diabetics, especially if the condition is still in the early stages. Diets for diabetics are part of the strategy to manage the risk factors associated with the disease. Pharmacologic options are also available. These drug options, along with diabetic socks, can help to relieve and address the pain, discomfort and numbness in the feet that normally accompany peripheral neuropathy. Where applicable, physicians may also try non-drug approaches like acupuncture or electrical stimulation of the nerves.

Autonomic Neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy affects those body systems which are regulated by the autonomic part of the nervous system, including circulatory system and digestive systems. You may exhibit cardiac symptoms or gastrointestinal problems like nausea, constipation and diarrhea. During meals, you may also experience excessive sweating. Diets for diabetics are one option for treating autonomic neuropathy. In case you do not respond to dietary treatment or to drugs, surgery may help.


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