Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disorder affecting millions worldwide, can have a significant impact on various organs of the body. One of the most common complications associated with diabetes is diabetic neuropathy, which involves nerve damage caused by prolonged exposure to high blood sugar levels. In this article, Dr Sachin Pawar, Head of Medical Affairs-India Cluster, Procter and Gamble Health, explains the connection between nerve damage and diabetes, as well as provides insights on how to prevent it.
Role Of Nerves In Your Body
Nerves play a vital role in transmitting signals from the brain through the spinal cord to various parts of the body. They enable instinctive bodily activities like sensing pain, maintaining balance while walking, and regulating heartbeat. Any damage to these nerves can disrupt bodily functions, leading to pain, loss of sensation, or weakness in the hands and feet.
Connection Between Diabetes And Nerve Damage
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 77 million people above the age of 18 years are estimated to suffer from diabetes while 25 million are pre-diabetics.
Dr Pawar said that diabetes is a well-acknowledged cause of nerve damage. This condition is known as ‘diabetic neuropathy.’ It begins with mild symptoms but can progress to a degree where day-to-day activities are severely restricted. Patients with diabetes should learn to recognise the early symptoms of diabetic neuropathy because it is not easy to catch it in its early stages.
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Symptoms Of Diabetic Neuropathy
Dr Pawar said that the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy depend on which nerve and which part of the nerve are affected. Sensory nerves, for example, carry signals which control the sensations of touch and pain. Motor nerves carry signals which control voluntary movements of the body, such as hand movements, walking, and running. Damage to the sensory and motor nerves of the legs, feet, arms, and hands is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy.
- Some of the symptoms include
- Loss of sensation
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Pricking pain
- Weakness
These usually develop first in both feet and legs, followed by both arms and hands. In later stages, severe pain or weakness can lead to difficulty in movement.
Damage to the sensory and motor nerves of the thighs or hips is rare and occurs mainly in adults above 50 years of age. Symptoms include pain in the lower back, hips, and thighs. In later stages, this can lead to muscle weakness and difficulty getting up from a sitting position.
Autonomic nerves carry signals that control involuntary functions, such as heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and vision adjustments to light and dark. Damage to the autonomic network of nerves can affect these functions.
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Why Does Nerve Damage Occur?
Dr Pawar said that nerve damage in diabetes occurs because of high blood sugar and several other conditions associated with diabetes. High blood sugar directly affects the small blood vessels that supply blood to these nerves. This stops the essential nutrients from reaching the nerves and leads to their damage.
Certain diabetes medications can cause Vitamin B12 deficiency. These vitamins are important to maintain nerve health and their deficiency can lead to further nerve damage.
Chronic conditions, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which are commonly seen along with diabetes can also cause nerves damage.
Tips To Follow To Manage Diabetic Neuropathy
Dr Pawar said that people with diabetes need to know how to maintain the health of their nerves and prevent damage to them.
- Taking control of blood sugar and cholesterol levels
- Manage blood pressure
- Maintain healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Vitamin B1, B6, and B12 supplements can ensure additional protection
Regular follow-ups with doctors are critical because they can diagnose neuropathy at an early stage by a simple physical examination. Early diagnosis can halt the progression of symptoms and can prevent the severe restriction of movements that diabetic neuropathy can cause.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is provided by an expert, however, we recommend you to consult your expert for a diagnosis based on your body type or medical history.