Diabetic neuropathy can lead to numbness or tingling in fingers, hands, toes, and feet. You need to control your blood sugar in order to prevent any further damage to the nerves.
There are physical therapy treatments to treat diabetic neuropathy. This includes low-impact exercises such as swimming which are the most effective.
Do note that damaged nerves cannot be replaced. But you can always try to prevent further damage and also relieve your pain. In order to do this, you must first control blood sugar to stop any further progression of this condition. Learn to monitor your blood sugar levels. You will need a mix of diets, exercise, as well as medications in order to decrease your blood sugar and reach a healthy range. Look for effective ways to lose excess weight and quit smoking too.
There are a number of over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen aspirin, or ibuprofen for this condition. You may use a low dose for some time in order to control your symptoms.
Antidepressants can also be prescribed for diabetic nerve pain. This is because they are able to interfere with the chemicals present in your brain which make you feel pain. Be careful with these in case you have a history of heart problems.
There are Lidocaine patches that can deliver local anesthetic through a patch which can be placed on the skin. Do note that these can cause minor skin irritation too.
Take good care of your hands and feet. You must check your feet every day to look for cuts, bruises, sores, swelling, and any other such problems, even if you are not feeling any pain. These can get infected, and if left untreated, they can lead to more serious complications which can even lead to amputation. You must wash your feet with warm water daily. Now dry them completely and apply a lotion in order to keep them moisturized. Do not put any lotion in between the toes.
Always wear comfortable and flexible shoes. Make sure there is enough room for your feet to move. Get customized shoes in case your regular shoes are not fitting well.
Keep your feet covered at all times by wearing shoes slippers or thick socks. This will cushion them and prevent any kind of injuries too.
The best option is to prevent this condition by keeping your blood sugar under control. Do note that there is no known cure for this condition but there are many treatments which can help to lessen the discomfort as well as pain that is caused by diabetic nerve pain.
You may use Alpha lipoic acid for blood sugar control. But you must talk to your doctor before you begin any kind of treatment on your own. There are no herbal products presently that can be effectively used against diabetic neuropathy at any stage. Hence you must focus on diet control, and do regular exercise in order to keep your sugar levels at an optimum level.
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