diabetic neuropathy
For people with diabetic neuropathy, doctors may provide drug therapy and invasive medical procedures which, in most cases, merely delay "end stage" damage — permanent physical damage that profoundly affects quality of life. Fortunately, diabetic neuropathy is a potentially reversible health condition.
Contact us today and let us help you start the reversal process. In the meantime, consider the following facts about diabetic neuropathy:
- Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that affects up to 70% of all diabetic patients. This serious diabetes-related complication comes in two forms, peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy.
- Peripheral neuropathy — the most common form of diabetic neuropathy — affects the nerves in the feet and legs first, followed by the nerves in the hands and arms. The nerves affected by peripheral neuropathy include the sensory nerves and the motor nerves. The sensory nerves relay information from various locations in the body (for example, the feet) to the brain. Such information includes message content about temperature, pressure, vibration, main, and muscle position. The motor nerves process impulses from sensory nerves and also send commands to muscle groups, allowing someone to, for example, walk, sit, and grasp objects. Symptoms of sensory nerve damage include numbness, reduced ability to feel pain or changes in temperature, a tingling or burning feeling, or sharp, jabbing pain. Symptoms of motor nerve damage include muscle weakness and difficulty walking.
- Autonomic neuropathy refers to damage to the nerves that control your internal functions (autonomic nerves). Autonomic nerves send and receive messages that affect internal organs and involuntary functions. The internal organs potentially affected by autonomic neuropathy include the heart, bladder, lungs, stomach, intestines, sex organs, and eyes. The involuntary functions potentially affected by autonomic neuropathy include the regulation of blood pressure and heart rate, breathing, and digestion. Symptoms of autonomic neuropathy include bladder problems (for example, frequent urinary tract infections or urinary incontinence); increased or decreased sweating; slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis) leading to nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite; constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of both; sexual dysfunction, particularly in men; and vision-related difficulties.
- Diabetic neuropathy occurs when delicate nerve fibers are exposed to high blood sugar (glucose) for prolonged periods of time. High blood glucose affects the nerves in at least two ways; it weakens the small blood vessels (capillaries) that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves, and it interferes with the ability of the nerves to transmit signals.
Diabetic neuropathy is a potentially reversible health condition that Fettler Health can help you reverse. If it is not reversed, the following complications associated with diabetic neuropathy have been known to occur:
Unhealed Wounds
Peripheral neuropathy (sensorimotor neuropathy) refers to the damage to the nerves that allow you to move your muscles (motor nerve damage) or feel things (sensory nerve damage). Complications resulting from motor nerve damage arise primarily because of decreased muscle control which can lead to tripping and falling, resulting in addition damage. By contrast, complications resulting from sensory nerve damage typically arise as a result of reduced sensation which can lead to injuries and tissue damage such as cuts, scrapes, and sores that a person cannot feel or doesn’t notice. In turn, unnoticed cuts and sores can eventually become severely infected or ulcerated. Such infections can be the precursor to amputations for diabetic patients.
Amputation
Infections that spread to the bone may cause tissue death (gangrene). Some of these infections are not treatable and, therefore, require amputation. Common amputations for diabetic patients include amputation of the toe, foot, or even the lower leg. In the US adult population, about 60% of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations occur among those with diagnosed diabetes. In 2010, approximately 73,000 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations were performed on US adults with diagnosed diabetes.
Sexual Dysfunction
Autonomic neuropathy results in damage to the nerves that control the internal organs and involuntary functions. For example, autonomic neuropathy often damages the nerves that affect the sex organs. In men, this can lead to erectile dysfunction. In women, this can lead to problems with lubrication and arousal.
Fettler Health provides the tools and services to help you reverse potentially reversible health conditions including those listed below.
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