Nerve disease is a complication of Type 2 diabetes that can affect many parts of the body. Damaged nerves can lead to problems with your skin, feet, stomach, bladder, eyes, and more. Learn how to prevent damage to the small blood vessels supplying nutrients to your nerves and avoid developing complications. And if you do have nerve disease, learn what you can do to treat it.
1. Prevention. Nerve damage and disease is largely governed by the degree of blood sugar control and the length of time you have had diabetes. The high level of sugar in the blood damages the small blood vessels. It also damages the nerve endings that interact closely with these small blood vessels. The tiny fibers in the nerve endings don’t get sufficient oxygen and nutrients from the blood and they then become damaged. Then the nerves have trouble sending messages.
So, the best way to prevent nerve damage is to avoid high blood sugar. Keeping your blood sugar under control and well-managed will help you avoid nerve disease and other complications. It’s important to test and track your blood sugar levels regularly. This helps you observe what factors make your blood sugar levels rise and fall. Following a meal plan that helps you avoid simple sugars and spread out your carbohydrate intake throughout the day will help keep your blood sugar in check. Regular exercise is also important, as is losing weight.
2. Treatment. If you already have damaged nerves, there are steps you can take to manage your symptoms and prevent further damage. The most important treatment is good control of your blood sugar. Avoiding high blood sugar will ensure your nerves don’t become more damaged.
If you’re experiencing…
- burning,
- numbness, or
- tingling from nerve damage,
there are medications that can help. Talk to your doctor and see if there’s a medication right for you. If you have autonomic neuropathy which affects the organs of your body, there are also medications and treatments available. If your sex life is affected, there are medications and devices to help. And if your stomach is affected, a dietitian can help you plan your meals to avoid nausea.
Taking care of your feet is another way to manage nerve disease. It’s a good idea to check your feet every day and look for sores or blisters. These minor injuries can be hard to notice when you have nerve damage and, if not treated can turn into major injuries and infections.
As usual you should follow medical advice concerning treatment and if you do develop foot problems, no time should be wasted in starting treatment.