If you have diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a kind of nerve damage caused by diabetes, you’ve probably experienced symptoms like pain, tingling, and numbness, especially in your hands and feet. The discomfort may affect your emotions, sleep, and overall quality of life.
Prescription drugs may be of assistance. However, studies reveal that they only alleviate pain by roughly 30% to 50%. Learn how to receive relief right away and keep the problem from worsening in the future.
6 Ways to Relieve Symptoms From Diabetic Neuropathy
Take an Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever
Experts say naproxen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen can help with mild to moderate pain resulting from diabetic nerve damage. However, if you take them regularly, consult your doctor. Some of these medications may increase your chances of having a heart attack, kidney damage, or stroke.
Control Your Blood Sugar Levels
Your blood glucose levels will get too high if you do not control your diabetes. Excess blood sugar can harm your peripheral nerves over time. Your brain and spinal cord are connected to the rest of your body by these. Diabetic neuropathy could develop due to this.
How can you maintain a healthy blood sugar level? Consult your physician beforehand. “A quick decrease can aggravate the agony,” says the experts. Your doctor may recommend modifications to help you gradually lower your levels to a healthy level, such as:
- Consume a diet rich in fruits, low-fat dairy, vegetables, and whole grains, with modest amounts of fish, poultry, nuts, beans, and very little red meat.
- Maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI).
- Maintain a healthy stress level.
- Five days a week, exercise for at least 30 minutes.
- If your doctor provides blood sugar medication, follow the directions carefully.
Get Your Vitamin D
Your skin produces this vitamin in response to sunshine, and it may help prevent nerve pain. Researchers discovered that persons with diabetic neuropathy who had lower levels of Vitamin D also had increased pain.
It’s challenging to receive the 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D needed from food alone. You may need to take a supplement. One study indicated that diabetic neuropathy patients who took a supplement once a week for two months had fewer symptoms.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise can help you deal with discomfort in a variety of ways. It aids in the control of blood sugar levels, which may help to halt nerve damage. Exercise also boosts blood flow to the arms and legs. It also improves your mood and relieves tension, allowing you to cope better with the discomfort.
According to one study, people with diabetic neuropathy who exercised regularly reported that their discomfort did not interfere with daily activities such as work, sleep, or relationships.
So, what do you have to lose? Put your sneakers on! If walking or jogging hurts, consider swimming or riding a stationary bike.
Learn Relaxation Techniques
Anxiety and despair are linked to diabetic neuropathy, and both of these disorders have the potential to exacerbate the pain. Talk to your doctor if any of these symptoms appear. They may prescribe medication as well as one or more of the following:
- Visualization, breathing exercises, meditation, massage, and yoga are relaxation treatments.
- The equipment measures your heart rate, temperature, and brain waves during biofeedback. This teaches you how to manage your body’s reaction to pain and other symptoms.
Give Your Feet Some TLC
Your feet may lose sensation as a result of nerve injury. As a result, it’s possible that you won’t notice you scratched or cut your foot until much later. You may develop a more severe condition as a result, such as an ulcer or infection. To avoid this, clean and check your feet every day at the end of the day. Also, make sure you’re wearing comfy footwear. Too-tight shoes can cause harm by pinching your feet.
Conclusion
There is a lot to learn about diabetic neuropathy. If you want to learn more about it or have any questions, please visit our website today and read through our blog posts on the topic. We also offer in-depth information on this and other neurological conditions at the MARHAM.PK. You may also consult the best neurologist there.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1- What can I do at home for neuropathy?
Take careful care of your feet if you have diabetes. Check for blisters, cuts, or calluses daily. You may also need to avoid excessive alcohol consumption and live a healthy life.
2- How can I stop neuropathy from getting worse?
By losing weight and improving nutritional deficiencies such as vitamins, one can prevent diabetic neuropathy from getting worse.
3- Does soaking your feet help with neuropathy?
Soaking your feet in warm water relieves pain and tension while promoting healthy blood circulation. If your feet are swollen, soaking them in cool water can help reduce inflammation.
4- What promotes nerve healing?
Damaged nerve fibers from your central nervous system (CNS), such as those in the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord, typically do not recover.